Sovereign Grace Singles is featured in the second cover article in the August 2009 issue of Christianity Today, titled Restless, Reformed, and Single, which you can read here: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/august/17.28.html. Online editor Sarah Pulliam writes,

By day, firefighter Dean Scott puts out flames in rural western Washington. By night, he tries to kindle them between Reformed singles around the country.

Scores of Christian dating websites (and dating sites that market themselves to Christians) are doing their part to solve the delayed marriage problem by promising to pair like-minded couples. But Scott's SovereignGraceSingles.com hopes to take compatibility tests to a new level, making sure that singles are on the same page theologically.

Singles who build profiles on SovereignGraceSingles answer questions such as, " How have the Doctrines of Grace changed or affected your life?" "Do you have a Quiet Time?" and "Who is your favorite biblical character and why?" Members' usernames include tulips, restingingrace0611, and ReformedSoutherner.

Baylor University professor of theology Roger Olson, author of Arminian Theology, is a bit surprised that the site, which hosts nearly 800 members and has borne 37 reported marriages, is catching on.

"It's an example of a larger dissonance between Calvinist theology and Calvinist practice,"Olson said. "If God has foreordained everything, then why should I feel any urgency to act?"

Scott said he has heard few theological objections to the site since it launched in 2005.

"It doesn't sound very Calvinist, but I think we should use all means possible, including the Internet, to find someone,"said Scott, who met his wife, Karen, on the site he built. I don't think it's antithetical to God's sovereignty at all. It's a means that he's provided to use in the lives of single, Reformed folks."

Paul David Tripp, author of Marriage: Whose Dream?, says Christians of various theological stripes have trouble deciding whether to use an online site to find a mate.

"There will always be questions of the degree to which you should be active and the degree to which you should wait around,"says Tripp, who preaches at Philadelphia's renowned Tenth Presbyterian Church. "There's something problematic about saying, 'I'm going to get married and I'm going to use whatever tool out there.' There's no promise in Scripture that a single man or woman will get married."

At Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland, pastor Isaac Hydoski worries that singles are using online dating sites because they are discouraged.

"Many times, it can be an expression of a last-ditch attempt to take the bull by the horns," he said. "It can be done in a way that's submitted to God's will, or it can be done as an expression of self-sufficiency."

But Hydoski sees online dating, if rooted in pure motives, as just another way for singles to find each other, no different from couples who meet at a church singles' group or a gas station.

"It's not any less significant, less romantic, or more disconnected from God's sovereignty in terms of how you met," Hydoski says. "That's a mistake of Christians over-romanticizing decisions like this."

Lisa Anderson, who hosts The Boundless Show, Focus on the Family's podcast for single young adults, tried online dating and found it a mixed bag. Single and 37, Anderson prefers to seek potential partners in a physical community rather than a virtual one.

I had friends who found guys who would lay out the Westminster Confession and make you sign it before they talked to you. That spells freak with a capital F," she said. "But on eHarmony, I get matched with guys who aren't believers. When you can go online and sift through profiles like paint samples, it breeds a consumerist mentality."

Anderson believes Christians should think about God's will in dating as they do in other spheres of life.

"You have to apply for a home. You have to look for a career," she said. "The Bible says, 'He who finds a wife, finds a good thing,'not, 'He who sits around and plays Xbox goes to a singles'group where God shines a spotlight on the right woman.' We should be availing ourselves of our community and the power of family and friends."

 ChristianCafe.com, another online dating site, has seen 1.5 million members since its launch in 1999. ChristianCafe.com president Sam Moorcroft says, "The pagans are out having a good time meeting someone, while the rest of us are sitting in our closets thinking it's unbiblical. Let's not let the world have all the good dating sites."

Sarah Pulliam is online editor for Christianity Today.

Copyright © 2009 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Full title: An Internet Connection for Reformed Singles: The intersection of technology and relationships for singles

[Reprinted with permission from the May 2006 issue of Christian Renewal]

A TV show aired during the '70s called The Dating Game. It attempted to match an eligible young man or woman with a person of the opposite sex. Contestants would ask questions of three people hidden behind a curtain whose answers would lead to a decision by the asker to choose which of the three would likely make for the most appealing date. How many of those dating couples went on to a relationship that led to marriage is unknown. But the dating game continues for each new generation searching for spouses - life partners.

Contrary to today's secular milieu, dating, of course, is not a game. Some eschew "dating" completely, arguing that "courtship" is the biblical model for two people interested in a permanent relationship. In this era of the internet, finding a potential spouse has taken yet another interesting twist. On-line meeting rooms for singles looking for a relationship have flourished. It's the ultimate in barrier removal for those who have not been led to a successful relationship via conventional means.

The problem of match-making is not confined to the secular world, of course. Finding a mate can be just as easy or as difficult within the context of the church. In the movie, The Hiding Place about the life of Corrie Ten Boom during World War II, Corrie's father says at one point during a discussion with his unmarried daughters, "There is a lid for every pot." What he meant was that there is a potential partner for each one of us. Yet it is also true, according to the Bible, that not everyone is given the gift of marriage. There is also something called the gift of singleness, and that, too, can be a blessing of the Lord. But for those who do not necessarily choose to be so blessed, the development of a recent web site may provide the means to the desired end.

SovereignGraceSingles is the name of a site that provides a platform and a meeting ground for Reformed singles to discover each other, but on neutral ground and in a safe environment. The brainchild of a Presbyterian (PCA) Christian by the name of Dean Scott, the web site was launched in 2005 and has been the spark behind at least four marriages thus far and numerous new friendships. Scott, 48, lives in Tacoma, Washington. He explained to Christian Renewal that the idea came to him while on a fishing trip.

I was flyfishing on the Yakima River in Washington State, the members of my Flyfishing Club. They are nice guys but not Christians. The language, smoking, alcohol to excess and the general nature of conversations caused my mind to wander and imagine how much more it would be to go flyfishing with other Reformed Believers, Brothers and Sisters in Christ who could look at the incredible beauty of a Brown Trout and say, 'I know the Creator of this Work of Divine Art!.... My Lord, Jesus Christ!'

This spawned an idea.

I wondered how I could find such sweet fellowship and with other Reformed singles specifically. The Internet immediately came to mind and I said to myself, 'Why don't you do it?' Create a website where single persons of like mind can get together for fellowship, service or perhaps even romance!

Scott describes how the site began. "Sovereign Grace Singles was 'launched' on January 19th, 2005. The first 300 members were 'Free for Life' and that goal was met in four months and 19 days." Since then the growth has been slow and steady. "I would much rather have quality than quantity," he says and he believes that that is what his site is attracting. "The quality of the Members of SGS is really heartwarming. I am greatly encouraged in my own Christian walk when I read their Profiles."

Scott describes on-the-site functions for users.

When one goes to the website, they can peruse 'Profiles' without being a Member. If they should desire to join and create a Profile, they are taken to a Doctrinal Statement which defines 'Evangelical', 'Reformed' and 'Church.' They are told NOT to join unless they can agree with the Doctrinal Statement and, by joining, they are stating that they agree with it. There are a few questions about their gender, age, location, marital status, denomination, and a few questions of a more personal nature.

It is in the Essay Questions section where they have much more opportunity to tell others about themselves. These vary from questions about their 'Quiet Time' to 'Hobbies' or their 'sense of humor' to what they do for a living.

The questions are very useful to help Members reveal things about themselves which others might like to know. Actually, I found the process personally enjoyable myself. The work involved in completing the Essay Questions really helps the individual learn about themselves and for what they are looking. "Lastly, Members are given the opportunity to upload pictures of themselves."

The internet's global reach allows singles to cast the net widely well beyond familiar borders. Participants come primarily from North America, but there are also many names with international locations such as the Dominican Republic, England, South Africa and Germany, to name a few. Such a far reach, of course, comes with a willingness to change one's life drastically should there be a connection between two distant members. Of the four internet connections that have led to marriage thus far, one was between a man from Germany who married a woman living in Florida who was from India. Scott was invited to and did attend their wedding, and also, a few days later, attended a seconding wedding from a couple who had their start via SGS and were married near Vancouver, Washington.

Getting singles together, Dean Scott explains, is not just about marriage. "Matching' also happens when those of kindred spirit get together for fellowship and service. Many of these events happen spontaneously and are organized by the members themselves," Scott said. "Some, such as the Winter Retreat we had in British Columbia in January and the 'Clamming Outing' at Ocean Shores, Washington, USA, are planned and organized. There was an Alaska Cruise last September which departed from Vancouver, BC, Canada and one planned to the Caribbean which departs from Tampa, FL, USA next November and is on Holland America Cruise Lines."

Service projects are another component of SGS. "Those who have time and a passion to serve are given the opportunity to do so," Dean Scott explains. "One such opportunity will be in May, 2006 when SGS members will gather in Slidell, Louisiana, to assist a Reformed Church there continue cleanup from Hurricane Katrina. The fellowship will be wonderful."

On any internet endeavour, the matter of security is always a concern. And more particularly when it comes to relationships and matters of the heart. Personal information can be abused by those with wrongful intentions. Dean Scott is well aware of the risks and walls have been established to protect the members.

It is cost prohibitive to screen backgrounds of every member. On SGS, when a woman joins I send her a 'Letter to the Ladies of SGS" to direct them to abide by Matthew 18 if they are having any problems of a salacious nature and then, if that does not remedy the situation, to let me know about it and I will handle it post-haste. I do NOT tolerate such behavior for a nano-second.

Also, there is a sense of community at SGS and women get to know other women too, as well as men get to know other men. Understandably, if someone is having a problem, it will eventually be known to others. There is mutual accountability.

Asked about the economics of the service, Scott said he is presently operating with a deficit. Members (after the first 300 who were free) pay a fee of $89.95 for one year. There are also six, three or one month memberships for a declining fee. Various forms of advertising and perhaps the most effective "word of mouth" continue to result in growth.

For Dean Scott the main goal is to see Reformed Christians walking together in mutual agreement, based on the words of Amos 3:3, "Can two walk together except they be agreed?" This is the theme verse of SGS. "The implications of Reformed doctrine pervade all of life. This is especially true in romantic relationships," he says.

Forming relationships was the reason Dean Scott, a firefighter/paramedic, began the internet service. And recently, in the providence of God, he also made an internet connection with a Reformed woman that may yet lead to marriage.

Asked by Christian Renewal how this site has had an impact on him personally, Karen, a member of SGS offered to answer this one for him.

Dean and I became friends first while meeting with other singles from SGS for various social activities. In time our friendship grew to the point that we both realized we wanted to make a serious commitment to one another through courtship. So, I guess you can see how this has made an impact on Dean's life! Dean has a HUGE heart, a sense of adventure and tons of enthusiasm, and it is reflected in the flavor of the website.

If marriage should result, does this mean "mission accomplished?" "Karen and I have already spoken about this," Scott explained. "We'd like to continue (SGS) together. We'd join the 'Met on SGS' category. We have no intentions whatsoever to change that ever. It is a joy to do it together."

The SGS web site is also a resource to single Christians offering other material and services to this often neglected group in our churches. "There is an online bookstore, chat, blogs, forums, sermons, reformed links, and events," Scott says.

As for customer satisfaction, so far the response has been enthusiastically positive. One member who recently ended his relationship with SGS sent the following note:

Canceling with THANKSGIVING- Dean, I wanted to thank you for such a great site... I trust the Lord will continue to bless SGS in mighty ways. I just returned from a trip to Florida to meet face to face a lovely lady I met on SGS and have been talking with for two months almost every night for hours on end. God in his wonderful providence used SGS to introduce us and then allowed His Holy Spirit to minister to both of us through the other. Thank you again for your wonderful site and please remove my subscription with my deepest gratitude. Warmest regards, Charles.

Join Us! for a Voice Chat "Rich IM" Discussion of: The Federal Vision Issue Led/Moderated by SGS's "Gitpicker", aka, Charles. (Study materials below!!) 9:30 pm Eastern, 6:30 pm Pacific, next Tuesday, June 3rd. Rich IM Help You may wish to obtain a Headset with Microphone and perhaps even a Camera (optional). SGS's New "Rich IM" Webmessenger Userplane Webmessenger is the next generation of instant messaging software: beyond text messaging, Webmessenger provides rich, web-based, multi-lingual, text and streaming audio/video communication for SGS! Do your own research prior if you wish! Federal Vision: In Their Own Words http://www.dougwils.com/index.asp?Action=Anchor&CategoryID=1&BlogID=3584 http://www.dlbthoughts.com/Articles.aspx?IDCol=155 You can also buy the Federal Vision through Auburn Avenue PCA (www.auburnavenue.org) and Athanasius Press. The Website is: https://exceedinglysecure.com/athanasius/. On Sermonaudio.com : Federal Vision Federal Vision Issue, New Perspective on Paul Found the following sermon series | more · Analyzing the Federal Vision · 4 sermons | Providence PCA Church · Federal Vision Heresy · 4 sermons | Westminster Presbyterian Church Found the following broadcaster topics | more · Federal Vision Errors · Providence PCA Church · Federal Vision Refuted · Still Waters Revival Books 1 Review & Critique of the Federal Vision / Auburn Avenue Theology Guy Prentiss Waters · From the Twin Lakes Fellowship Providence PCA Church 1,700+ Play! | MP3 MON 04/18/2005 Special Meeting 1 "Refuting the Federal Vision, Auburn Ave. Theology" 7/4/06 · There is a lot of... 2 Contemporary Attacks on Justification (6/7) Joseph A. Pipa Jr. · 2004 Theology Conference · 62 min Covenant Orthodox Presbyterian Church 1,000+ Play! | MP3 SUN 04/04/2004 Special Meeting 3 Auburn Avenue Theology Refutation, Part 1 Brian Schwertley · 60 min Romans 3:20-24 · Westminster Presbyterian Church 800+ Play! | MP3 SUN 08/22/2004 Sunday Afternoon 1 "Great Sermon!" 9/17/04 · Very good message have given it to other, good documention. 4 Auburn Avenue Theology Refutation, Part 3 Brian Schwertley · 60 min Galatians 3:3 · Westminster Presbyterian Church 400+ Play! | MP3 SUN 09/12/2004 Sunday Service 5 Auburn Avenue Theology Refutation, Part 4 Brian Schwertley · 59 min Philippians 3:7-9 · Westminster Presbyterian Church 300+ Play! | MP3 SUN 09/19/2004 Sunday Service 6 Theological Storm: Federal Vision Critique Alan Strange · Theological Storm: FV Critique · 78 min Romans 6 · Providence Orthodox Presbyterian Church 300+ Play! | MP3 SAT 05/06/2006 Special Meeting 1 "Great Stuff!" 8/10/06 · Thank God for this series on the Federal Fog! Strange has neither... 7 The Biblical Perspective: A Picture Worth a Soul Dr. Michael Barrett · 78 min Zechariah 3 · Faith Free Presbyterian Church 300+ Play! | MP3 SUN 10/29/2006 Sunday - PM 8 Partial Debate with Steve Schlissel on Federal Vision John M. Otis · 43 min Westminster Presbyterian Church 300+ Play! | MP3 WED 10/18/2006 Debate 2 "John Otis makes many good points on this MP3." 1/13/07 · John Otis makes many... 9 Theological Storm: Federal Vision Critique Alan Strange · Theological Storm: FV Critique · 70 min Romans 4 · Providence Orthodox Presbyterian Church 300+ Play! | MP3 FRI 05/05/2006 Special Meeting 1 "Great Sermon!" 6/30/06 · This is one of the best lectures I've heard critiquing the Federal... 10 Theological Storm: Federal Vision Critiqued Alan Strange · Theological Storm: FV Critique · 60 min Romans 5 · Providence Orthodox Presbyterian Church 300+ Play! | MP3 FRI 05/05/2006 Special Meeting 11 The Federal Vision's Rejection of Historic Calvinism Brian Schwertley · 58 min Hebrews 6:4-12 · Westminster Presbyterian Church 200+ Play! | MP3 SUN 03/26/2006 Sunday Service 12 The Federal Vision's Rejection of Calvinism, Part 2 Brian Schwertley · 61 min Hebrews 6:4-8 · Westminster Presbyterian Church 200+ Play! | MP3 SUN 04/02/2006 Sunday Service 13 Federal Vision and Baptismal Regeneration Brian Schwertley · 59 min Acts 8:9-24 · Westminster Presbyterian Church 100+ Play! | MP3 SUN 03/19/2006 Sunday Service 14 Theological Storm: Federal Vision Critique Alan Strange · Theological Storm: FV Critique · 44 min Romans 11 · Providence Orthodox Presbyterian Church 100+ Play! | MP3 SUN 05/07/2006 Sunday Service 15 Lecture 1 - Just Who is a Christian Anyway? Guy Prentiss Waters · Analyzing the Federal Vision Providence PCA Church 100+ Play! | MP3 SAT 02/10/2007 Special Meeting 16 The Federal Vision and the Doctrine of the Church Brian Schwertley · 53 min Romans 9:6 · Westminster Presbyterian Church 100+ Play! | MP3 SUN 04/09/2006 Sunday Service 17 The Federal Vision's Denial of the Atonement Brian Schwertley · 63 min Ephesians 1:2-3 · Westminster Presbyterian Church 100+ Play! | MP3 SUN 03/12/2006 Sunday Service 18 Lecture 3 - Justification by Faith Alone? Guy Prentiss Waters · Analyzing the Federal Vision Providence PCA Church 100+ Play! | MP3 SAT 02/10/2007 Special Meeting 19 Lecture 2 - What About Baptism? Guy Prentiss Waters · Analyzing the Federal Vision Providence PCA Church 100+ Play! | MP3 SAT 02/10/2007 Special Meeting 20 Lecture 4 - The Implications and Consequences for the Church of Not Confronting... Joseph A. Pipa Jr. · Analyzing the Federal Vision Providence PCA Church 100+ Play! | MP3 SAT 02/10/2007 Special Meeting 21 Refuting the Federal Vision Heresy: Conference Message 1 John M. Otis · Federal Vision Heresy · 41 min Westminster Presbyterian Church 100+ Play! | MP3 SAT 05/05/2007 Lecture 2 "Excellent Lectures." 5/14/07 · If only I would have known this conference was here in Grand... 22 Analyzing the Federal Vision Q&A Various Speakers · 73 min Providence PCA Church Play! | MP3 SAT 02/10/2007 Special Meeting 23 Refuting the Federal Vision Heresy: Conference Message 2 John M. Otis · Federal Vision Heresy · 57 min Westminster Presbyterian Church Play! | MP3 SAT 05/05/2007 Lecture 24 Refuting the Federal Vision Heresy: Conference Message 4 John M. Otis · Federal Vision Heresy · 33 min Westminster Presbyterian Church Play! | MP3 SAT 05/05/2007 Lecture 25 Refuting the Federal Vision Heresy: Conference Message 3 John M. Otis · Federal Vision Heresy · 46 min Westminster Presbyterian Church Play! | MP3 SAT 05/05/2007 Lecture 26 False Teachers Are So Humble (Wild Boar News #30) Matthew McMahon · Wild Boar News · 8 min 2 Corinthians 11:4 · Still Waters Revival Books Play! | MP3 THU 09/12/1996 Radio Broadcast 27 Federal Vision-the Danger on the Horizon Rev. Kyle Sorensen · 57 min Romans 2:28-29; Galatians 2:16 · Salem Ebenezer Reformed Church Play! | MP3 SUN 04/01/2007 Bible Lesson 28 The Covenant of Works / part 2 Pastor Trevor Kirkland Loughbrickland Reformed Presbyterian Play! | MP3 SAT 04/28/2007 Special Meeting