UK Christian Fellowship and Dating

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.

Writing a dating profile can sometimes feel daunting. Not only are you trying to sum up your whole life in a few short paragraphs, but you’re hoping to share a sense of the sort of person you’re hoping to meet on Christian Connection, too. While we know it’s important to mention a few of our own best qualities in our profiles, sometimes the way we describe what we’re looking for can accidentally send the wrong message. Here’s why writing a positive dating profile can help.

Dating is a time for gathering information, about ourselves and the other person. We learn about our likes and dislikes, we explore our shared values, we negotiate our differences, and, if all goes well, we move closer to a committed relationship. But how can we be sure that we’re making the right choice? What do we need to know before we commit? These four questions will act as a guide.

The Bible tells us to have a ‘renewed mind’, and as in the rest of life, having the right mindset when it comes to dating is important. A wrong mindset might be holding you back from pursuing a healthy relationship. Examples of wrong mindsets include thinking dating has to only be a certain way - that you must meet your spouse ‘organically’, or only in your church - thinking you're not ‘good enough’ to date, or that you're undeserving of someone amazing. It could be thinking you only have to date a certain kind of person - within a certain age bracket, race or with a certain kind of job - or thinking you can't date outside your denomination. It is OK to have preferences, of course, but if you go into dating with the wrong mindset, you are unlikely to get the most out of it.

Have you ever have that sense of fulfilment when you’ve created or made something ? Even if it’s putting together flat pack furniture, there’s a sense of achievement once it has been built. Crafting and making things can be a fulfilling way to relax and tap into your creative instincts. It can also be a great way to spend a date. Embarking on a crafty date idea will have you working together as a team, getting stuck into something productive, whilst getting to know each other. It can give you something to focus to help take away awkward silences and it can even better if you get to come home with something that you’ve made!

When looking for love, it’s important to pay attention to red flags – reasons why a particular date or partner may not be a healthy choice – but it’s just as vital to keep an eye out for dating green flags – for signs that your date is a great fit and, potentially, a wonderful partner.

Having interests in common can be a great foundation for a relationship, and almost every relationship starts with a date! That first meet up can be a great opportunity to explore a shared interest or try something new - or just a great opportunity to get lunch! We’ve learned of so many great #MetOnCC date ideas, we’ve created a blog series to share them. Here are the dates from D to L of just some of the real life Christian Connection couples’ dating ideas they've shared.

Friendship as the foundation of any relationship has immense benefits. As you get to know someone, you start to notice things about them: what they like and don’t like, their favourite foods, places they like to shop, style of dressing, etc. True friendship though, goes beyond just surface level. A deeper friendship is required if you truly want to get to know someone – especially in a romantic relationship that you want to go the distance.

Time is of the essence, so the saying goes, and when we’re single and looking for love, it’s only natural to want to make things happen. But how do we know when it's the right time to date? Or to progress a budding relationship to the next stage? Here are three questions to ask yourself that will help you to know if you’re rushing in before you’re ready, or if you’re procrastinating because you’re afraid.