Why Christian dating? Most obviously, it’s an issue of values. If Christianity is important to you, you may to want to share the faith with your partner. You may also envision yourself starting a Christian family, or at least leading a Christian lifestyle, in one form or another.
Also, let’s consider the nature of dating. If people are seeking a “Christian partner,” there is an implication of seeking compatibility – or, in other words, a long-term relationship. For many people, who want more than a hook-up or one-time encounter, a Christian site offers the idea of longevity – and, for that, there’s a strong market.
But, no matter your reasons, dating is about meeting all kinds of people. In that sense, Christian dating is a viable option, and a way to filter out the scores of websites. So, for all the Christian singles, I’m reviewing three dating sites – ChristianMingle, ChristianCafe, and PerfectMatch, all of which offer unique and attractive features. If you look below, I provide brief descriptions/reviews of each one, followed by a comparison. Enjoy!
1. CHRISTIANMINGLE
Overall, I like ChristianMingle. It’s not among the best of the sites, and it’s not among the worst. It’s somewhere in the middle, offering the basic features without any particularly fresh or exciting material. But I wouldn’t call it stale either. Instead, I would think of ChristianMingle as a hip, but dependable, coworker who has hit-and-miss results. But you stick around for the “hits,” and it might be worth the wait. Read the full review of ChristianMingle.
2. CHRISTIANCAFE
I’m drawn to the whole “café” approach of the site. There is a romantic stigma attached to cafes – and with good reason. Despite its lack of chatrooms and quizzes, I think it feels earthy and genuine. It was easy to use and accessible to browse. However, it is behind the times (in a bad way), so I can’t give the site my full endorsement. But I will say that I like it, and if I were looking for a Christian date, I can imagine using ChristianCafe. Give it a shot – maybe you can score a coffee date. Read the full review of ChristianCafe.
3. PERFECTMATCH
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The site takes the task of matchmaking rather seriously, employing an almost mathematical approach. The “Duet Total Compatibility System,” also known as “Duet,” is the foundation of Perfectmatch.com (click to see if PerfectMatch is still offering their free trial). It’s a great way to gain further insight into who you are and what you want. Not to mention, it has an innovative to matchmaking that may actually produce some amazing results. When it comes to dating, it’s always worth it to shoot up every alley. You never know where you’ll find love, romance, or the “perfect match.”
MY COMPARISONS
It’s difficult to say which site is the “best.” At the end of the day, all the sites deal with real people. Your best “match” could be on a dinky, out-of-date site, but he just happens to understand you. Or, you could join a sleek, top-of-the line site, and find no dating success. In that case, it’s almost silly to decide upon the most superior site. But, if you are looking for certain things, each site has its offerings.
If you are determined to meet a Christian partner, I would suggest ChristianMingle. It is the most actively Christian, both in terms of its discussion board and theological content. It is also a thriving community that supports dialogue, particularly revolving around Christian matters. However, its “color” compatibility system is a bit simplistic, and I recommend that the characteristics listed be taken with a grain of salt. Ultimately, chemistry and compatibility are determined by real live people and situations – not a digital analysis that divides you into percentage marks.
If you really do want the most thorough matchmaking system, I would suggest Perfectmatch. The Duet system is not without flaws. But it is a much better system, overall, that has a trusted name in academic and media circles, Dr. Pepper Schwartz. Additionally, the site is equipped with all the basic mingling tools that have become the accepted norms of dating sites. In that sense, it is easy to not only discover but to connect with other singles. But, if you’re on a budget, skip this site. It’s way overpriced.
Finally, ChristianCafe doesn’t so easily fit a niche. It’s not as “mathematical” as PerfectMatch and not as communicative in format as ChristianMingle. But it is a worthy and useful site. As mentioned before, there is a low-key, earthy quality to the site inspired by the “café” theme. The questions allow you to really express yourself, rather than depending upon some diagram of your personality. For that reason, I think ChristianCafe is solid venue to really try to connect with someone. The challenge is to just meet people, as the quizzes and message boards are lacking. But it is also worth considering and can be well paired with the other aforementioned sites.
Overall, dating is about personal choices, including your choice of website. But all these sites allow you to open to up to new people, and connect with individuals you would never meet otherwise. They’re also a way to make all kinds of connections, even friendships. Whatever you choose, each of the three sites lets you take control of your romantic and interpersonal life. You make your own profile. You send messages. You meet new people. And, maybe, you find love. But, no matter what, it’s an experience – and it’s usually pretty fun.
