Despite the imbalance, she doesn’t think many women change churches for the sake of finding a partner.

“We crave intimacy, and we can do that with other women. So for me to up and leave would mean leaving who I am intimate with. We would relate at a deep level with our women friends, which is also what we want from a guy.

“But if we go to another church just to find a husband, we lose that support we already have. Whereas I think guys would struggle to get that close to other guys anyway, so they’re more likely to go somewhere else.”

Consequently, she believes Christian women do settle for non-Christian husbands, “which I think is really sad. I have seen it happen. It’s in the hope that they’re going to find God, and that when they get married everything will work out.”

“But it’s not great. Because once they’re married the guy’s got everything he needs and he just cruises along with life.

“I know of one couple where the guy did become a Christian and it’s worked out really well. But there was a lot of heartache along the way. Every other case I know of – and there’s been a few – it’s never worked out.”

One avenue is to use a dating agency or the internet to find that special someone.

Norma Laing says many CFF members also use other agencies, “or any avenue they can to find friendship, for example overseas websites. The Church doesn’t cater for them – the singles ministry is not high on the priorities - so I guess they will try and find any avenue.”

Belinda Devlin, of 74heaven, agrees that women sometimes feel forced to go outside the Church.

“I think we are seeing something critical that the Church isn't catering for. Loneliness – especially when having been in a relationship – is hard to handle. I see single Christians often settling for non-godly partners because of this.

“There is also the perception there is no-one else out there that is a decent enough Christian man. I guess in this society there are so many issues addressing us – break-ups, pornography, loneliness, baggage – that it complicates and challenges the single Christian.

“The reason I started 74heaven was I was so angry at what Satan was getting away with that I felt we needed a place where it was okay to be single – but on the cutting edge – feeling good about oneself rather than the fringe single groups at church.

“It has been a battle to keep it all happening, but is satisfying seeing friendships made, engagements and weddings among like-minded believers.”

The pressure to find a partner means that some Christian singles are cohabiting or engaging more often in casual sex. It’s not something the Church talks much about, but Robyn Burnett acknowledges that it is becoming more common.

“They are generally younger, of student age – ones that I know of. Among my friends, we’ve waited so long we might as well keep on waiting.”