As a Dating Expert with a Christian / Catholic religious background and education within ministry (Bible Study Leader and Children’s Religious Formation from a Montessori background) I do recommend to Single Christians and Catholics the Dating Tip of aim to connect and fellowship with the area sister churches to your own.
A number of the Catholic churches across the United States have combined parishes over the years. So what used to once be two separate Catholic parishes, St. Simon and St Jude are now a combined Catholic Church in Southern California. There may be fewer Catholic churches for this example. However, if you are a Catholic single, take this strategy and aim to apply it to where you live locally.
A number of the Christian denominational church have what we call or refer to as “sister” churches. Often there are really only a few of the same denomination’s churches in what is, say, a 50-75 mile radius. Southern Baptist. American Baptist. Independent Fundamentalist Baptist. Pentacostal. Seventh Day Adventist. LDS (Latter Day Saints/ Mormen). Lutheran. Episcopalian (Church of England heritage here in The States). Anglican. Evangelical. You get the idea. So, the thing you want to do is to be sure to actively connect, socialize, and fellowship with the ministries of the other regional area churches of your denomination.
Allow me to use the example of the San Francisco Bay Area. This can sometimes reach from as far South as South San Jose, Gilroy (the Garlic capital) or perhaps Morgan Hill. And as far North as the Sacramento area of Sacramento, Citrus Heights, and the surrounding suburbs. If we are going East in the area we would definitely include Pleasant Hill, Hayward, Walnut Creek, and Lafayette. Lafayette used to be the ends of the earth. Now we also have Lodi, Modesto, Antioch, Livermore, and Tracy. You get the idea. I am suggesting you seriously encompass the grander perspective of THE BAY AREA.
Now identify ALL the churches of your denomination. How many are there? 3? 5? Even with my iddy biddy denomination, we have 3 churches in San Francisco and more than 5 or 7 in the greater area. OK. Now what. Find activities to share together that are not just your weekly Bible Study. This is where it is time to lean on your pastors to host a monthly EVENT. I suggest at LEAST monthly. However, let it at the very least be a quarterly event.
Sonia and Tim met at the monthly GAMES night that one church held very informally on a monthly basis. The event was not even cited at their website. Hence you need to connect with the church’s Pastors as well as the elderly ladies (the ones who truly know everything). They met there. They socialized there. Very casually. And then, wouldn’t you know it? They started seriously courting and were married within a year. BTW, Sonia was one of those dear divorced ladies who was 100% sworn off of EVERY marrying again.
Well. The Lord had another plan for her. Be open to love. Look for it. And it WILL find you! Whatever your age or circumstance!
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April Braswell
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Dating Expert Tips for Single Christians and Catholics: Fellowship with Your Local Churches
Sonya Lenzo says
April 12, 2011 at 4:57 PMApril,
All great ideas. My local Baptist church also has dinners with food from different countries to which anyone can come. They are sort of like “Bake Sales”. Great food, reasonably priced, lots of comradery….I have tried some delicious unusual foods and met great single folks!
Sonya Lenzo
Bryan says
April 12, 2011 at 6:07 PMI would think that this is a great place to meet Christian or Catholic singles women/men. They are people you are already sharing a few common interest..
Chicago Style Sales Expert
Jennifer Battaglino says
April 12, 2011 at 6:45 PMI like the idea of the pastors hosting a joint event because it would allow the members of each congregationn to feel comfortable doing so. I wonder if certain churches get “territorial”?
Jen Battaglino
Personalized Empowerment – What’s Your One Thing?
Clare Delaney-Young says
April 12, 2011 at 7:50 PMI wouldn’t have thought of broadening ‘the search’ to include other church activities – great ideas!
For Everything Eco-Friendly
Neil Dhawan says
April 12, 2011 at 8:24 PMVery useful tip – check out the surroundings! How would you recommend approaching a pastor who might be a bit, let’s say, set in his ways?
Best,
Neil
http://geneflora.com/do-probiotics-make-a-difference/
Scott Sylvan Bell says
April 12, 2011 at 8:49 PMApril, your dating advice is easy to understand along with a great resource for single people looking to date.
Scott Sylvan Bell
http://www.scottbellconsultant.com
Now go implement!
Trisha Chambers says
April 12, 2011 at 10:00 PMChristians and Catholics mingling…..who knew? Great post!
Dewayne Chriswell says
April 13, 2011 at 1:40 AMApril, way to include the pastors in the organizing. They are usually the least likely to get their hackles up over that type of event, they’re the ones who want to get out and get the exposure of having something going on.
Thanks,
Dewayne
http://dewaynechriswell.com
Onicofagia con hipnosis Barcelon Savilla says
April 13, 2011 at 5:15 AMThese are two great ideas! connecting with sister churches and doing events together are not only great tips to meet new people from other churches but also to collaborate with them and create fresh activities!
Reading Body Language says
April 13, 2011 at 6:19 AMYour advice is always solid April!!
Reading Body Language
Rachel Robinson says
April 13, 2011 at 10:19 AMGreat idea! Sometimes introducing yourself and spending a few minutes greeting the pastor can be the best way to include yourself in social gatherings.
Leadership Is A Choice
Peggy Larson says
April 13, 2011 at 10:48 AMExcellent advice April! One’s social circle can never be too big. You never know when one of those “ladies who know everything” will know just the match for you.
Peggy Larson
Naomi Bettencourt says
April 13, 2011 at 3:12 PMHave an entertaining evening/day of a fun activity AND get a chance to meet new people AND possibly fall in love. Why would anybody NOT follow your advice?
Stay Cool!
Naomi Bettencourt
Steve C says
April 15, 2011 at 1:05 AMThe more the merrier but then again too much choice makes it hard for someone to decide on a particular individual. Marriages were happier and longer lasting when people had less choice for a mate.
Steve C
G.E. Moon II says
April 16, 2011 at 10:23 AMGreat advice – Be Open To Love! So far true…it is out there.
Yours In Health!
G.E. Moon II
http://www.abundanthealthcenter.com/item/MSM-OptiMSM-49
Michael D Walker says
April 16, 2011 at 10:24 AMTerrific advice for people to change their approach & how they look at what might be right in front of them if they just talk to more people & learn about events they may not even be aware of.
Michael