Perhaps you’ve heard of the Mennonites? Depending on where you live in the United States or if you live in another country as some of my readers and followers do, than you may or may not be familiar with them a U.S. Christian sect.
They are a branch of the greater Christian Church which is quite conservative, and you might use such words as “old-fashioned” to describe them. They are akin while still different to the Amish who flourish in the Pennsylvania farmlands near where I grew up. We take family weekend road trips to visit the Pennsylvania Dutch as they were called.
The Mennonite women do dress quite modestly. In a general way, some Independent Fundamentalist Baptist Church ladies, the Fundamentalist or more conservative Latter Day Saint ladies, and the Mennonites dress in a manner which might confuse you as to who they are when you see them.
You might be wondering what this has to do for Christian and Catholic Singles who are going for a more sophisticated contemporary look. Well, one of the behavior attributes which the Mennonite Christians do so well is they are dedicated, determined, and creative about getting their Christian Singles married. None of this leaving it all to their singles to do it all themselves to attract their Soul Mate / help mate.
What is it they do so well?
Other than the older folks hosting events which inevitably mix and mingle their singles, the additionally do such creative actions as to send their singles to other Mennonite family locations within the United States.
Namely, they travel strategically to meet other Single Mennonites. Now, mind you, they don’t just do the Club Med thing of going elsewhere for just a 3 day long weekend to meet other singles. Instead, they send their singles to other strategic (not just anywhere) locations where there are Mennonite enclaves. They stay under the guidance and sheltar of their families to just mingle prayerfully and strategically with others of their identical faith.
And by doing so they expand their social circle and increase their likelihood to get married.
How might that translate for you?
Attend a Bible study seminar which is a week long study, or at least a 4 day study.
Attend a Christian Singles Conference
Attend a Bible Study Conference
Attend your Faith’s Annual Convention or Conference
Do travel just aim to do so strategically!
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April Braswell
Cynthia says
April 14, 2011 at 7:40 PMI’m not too sure if Catholics appreciate being separated from “Christians” as in school, we’re taught that we, too are “Christian.”
Just a thought.
Thanks,
Cynthia
Scott Sylvan Bell says
April 14, 2011 at 7:59 PMApril, what a great strategy to meet other singles.. go to where they are located by finding where they gather. Thanks for another fantastic article on dating or meeting people.
Scott Sylvan Bell
Clare Delaney-Young says
April 14, 2011 at 8:14 PMGreat way of taking examples from other faiths to use in your own life. I had never viewed marriage as a plan needing to be strategised, but it makes sense.
Clare
For Everything Eco-Friendly
Trisha Chambers says
April 14, 2011 at 11:55 PMCan you imagine what would happen if the Single Mennonites ended up at a Club Med, especially one of few Adult Club Meds? Or even worse, Hedonism? Oh my!
Great post me lady!
Steve C says
April 15, 2011 at 1:02 AMJust about everything works better when there’s a system for accomplishing whatever goal we want to achieve. Seems lie the Mennonites have a good one.
Steve C
Dewayne Chriswell says
April 15, 2011 at 2:35 AMIt’s a really good idea, not just showing up once, then leaving, but actually “showing up” with a plan. Thanks,
Dewayne Chriswell
http://dewaynechriswell.com/
Sonya Lenzo says
April 15, 2011 at 4:39 AMApril, That is a great idea, particularly as the summer season arrives. Some of my best memories as a “single” were summer Bible Camps. There was something about afternoons on the beach, evenings singing around a campfire, etc that fostered long term friendships with both men and women.
Sonya Lenzo
Reading Body Language says
April 15, 2011 at 5:47 AMYour a dating magnet April : )
Reading Body Language
April Braswell says
April 15, 2011 at 6:23 AMHi Cynthia,
Thank you for stopping by and commenting at my blog. Indeed, citing both the labels “Christian” and “Catholic” can be tricky. I cite both not to separate or exclude but rather so that both can know these tips can apply to them for their use in finding their Soul Mate from God. Sometimes I get the feedback when I give tips and strategies under the label of “Christians” the remarks of “that doesn’t apply to Catholics.”
Hope you’re enjoying a wonderful season of Lent!
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April
Kevin Hogan says
April 15, 2011 at 6:39 AMStrategic Travel is a wonderful notion. Going with, or to, a group really allows people relax and be themselves. This is excellent.
Dr. Robin Rushlo says
April 15, 2011 at 1:06 PMApril,
In the Army we call that “A TARGET RICH ENVIRONMENT ” .
So when looking for a Helpmate/Soulmate what area do you visit?
Same as Marketing, what Niche are you targeting? Remeber , dating is just aother word for Marketing only YOU are the product.
Today’s Affirmation is “I am my own best product and there is a WAITING LIST for that products.”
Hipnosis para perder peso Barcelona Valencia says
April 15, 2011 at 1:11 PMIt is a great idea to travel to other places to meet pleople that share your own deep values. I also think is a good reccomendation that you give to go away, also for Bible Studies, at least for a few days so you really have the chance to not only meet but also get to know new people better.
April Braswell says
April 15, 2011 at 1:58 PMHi Dr. Robin – thanks for stopping by and adding your comments at my blog post. Yup, that’s exactly the message I help singles with – to market themselves WELL! 🙂 We like target RICH environments, indeed!
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April Braswell
Naomi Bettencourt says
April 15, 2011 at 2:48 PMGreat idea, going to places where there are many who share your values. It sounds so obvious, but I think most of us tend to look at only what is right in front of us, instead of “thinking outside the box” (or in this case, thinking outside the city or state).
Stay Cool!
Naomi Bettencourt
Jennifer Battaglino says
April 15, 2011 at 5:29 PMI can only imagine how delicate a topic it can possibly be to address not only dating and relationships but religion and how that effects singles and finding someone to share their life with.
I commend you for doing it with tact and fact…
Jen Battaglino
Personalized Empowerment – Face Your Fear
G.E. Moon II says
April 16, 2011 at 10:19 AMApril,
You are definitely THE go to expert in the area dating and relationships as it relates to faith and religion. Keep up the great work.
Yours In Health!
G.E. Moon II
http://www.abundanthealthcenter.com/category/Products-for-the-Mind-2
Neil Dhawan says
April 16, 2011 at 12:17 PMWhat an interesting concept … sounds kind of like “group dating” only more “planned” and on a much larger scale.
Neil
http://geneflora.com/the-future-of-probiotics/
Michael D Walker says
April 17, 2011 at 10:59 AMExcellent lesson you showed from how Mennonites approach dating and marriage.
Michael