UK Christian Fellowship and Dating

For James and Rica, timing was everything. "I had, many years ago, joined Christian Connection," says James, "I actually felt Holy Spirit, conviction that it wasn't the time. Years later, I'd felt the desire to go down the track of a Christian online dating... I accepted that God was taking me down that route, and two or three days later this gorgeous woman popped up on my feed, and I thought I'd get in touch." Rica says, "I sat in prayer and felt the Holy Spirit tell me to join Christian connection, and after some wrestling, I listened, and within a half an hour, I got a little pop up saying, James likes you, and the rest is history."

Meeting for a date can come with nerves and high expectations - adding in some creature comforts can be just what's needed! Animal date ideas can be fun, varied and cute. Full of great talking points, memorable moments and opportunities to bond over whatever of God's creatures appeal. 

First dates can feel exciting and daunting at the same time. The key is to find a way to keep your nerves at bay, to show up authentically and to be open, whilst practising healthy boundaries and being aware of the potential pitfalls. Having enjoyable and fruitful first encounters and great first dates is very achievable. Here are some simple things to remember before your next one.

Selena had grown up in the country on her family’s farm and was working as a teacher when she joined Christian Connection. “I'd been single for a while and wanted another avenue to meet people that was outside of the circles that I was already in,” she remembers. Daniel was a farmer who was looking to meet someone. “We were both looking for Christian partners,” he says, “Christian Connection was the spot to be.”

It’s not unusual to get to the point of feeling tired by dating and the same old small talk. I became very disheartened after a few years of monotonous first dates, hearing the same chat up lines, the same small talk, and explaining once again what I did for a living. When feeling down and not seeing hoped-for progress, it’s natural that a change and a refresh are needed. However, that was the exact moment - in the midst of the dating valley - that I met my now husband. So, what are some of the most effective ways to tackle dating fatigue? Here’s what I learned...

Jodie and Steven were living hundreds of miles apart when they first met on Christian Connection. Jodie had recently moved back to the UK and was living in West Sussex, and Steven was living in Scotland. Steven said, “I wanted to meet someone that was aligned with me spiritually and had the same mindset and same love for God as well as love for people. I wanted a godly woman.”

Working out how to discuss your faith may seem daunting when meeting someone new. Even if you both share the same beliefs, you may attend different churches or be part of different denominations. The way you practice your faith day-to-day might look different. As daunting as it might be, having the ‘faith conversation’ is very important for any relationship. It can make or break a relationship if you don’t see eye-to-eye when it comes to your faith. So, how do you talk about your faith, especially in the early stages of dating?

When we go on a date, we’re often looking for a spark or an instant connection, but chemistry can take time to develop. Dating is about gathering information and it’s important to give someone a chance, provided there are some behaviours in place, and you don’t spot any glaring red flags. Consistency and clear communication are two important signs it’s worth meeting again. What are more green flags to keep an eye out for?

It’s normal to feel anxious about what the right etiquette is when it comes to sending messages, especially second messages. Everyone who has dated online has been there: you’ve seen an interesting profile, sent a thoughtful message, and now you’re waiting for a reply. A day goes by. Then another. Still nothing. What now? Should you follow up? Is it polite? Is it pushy? Have they even seen your original message? The truth is, there’s no hard and fast rule, but there are ways you can increase your chances of getting a response.

Sometimes sitting down over a drink or a meal for a date, although a lovely thing to do, doesn’t really feel inspiring and a more active or energetic date is what is needed. We get to see each other’s competitive sides, our energy levels, our sense of fun, and it’s a great way of breaking the ice. Those nerves we get from dates need to be put to good use! Here are some energetic, active date ideas to keep you on your toes, but most of all to have a great time together.