UK Christian Fellowship and Dating

Meeting someone new for the first time - or even second or third time - can be fun, exciting and nerve-racking. Wouldn't it be helpful to know some tried-and-tested date ideas that have worked for others? We can help! Couples who first found each other on Christian Connection have shared so many great #MetOnCC date ideas, we’ve created an A-Z blog series to share them. Here are a selection of some fun dates from M to S to inspire your next meet up. From the relaxed to the daring, there should be something different to try.

Asking someone about their faith is a great way to get to know them, and it also allows you to assess if this is someone that you could be compatible with. When you first start seeing someone, you might be interested to know a bit about their faith, but it can be tricky to know how to ask about it, especially in the initial stages. But coming with the right attitude and a genuine curiosity can open the door to some deep and thoughtful conversations.

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?