1.  What purpose does True North serve that is not already met by the area churches and other singles ministries?

A few churches have the resources and critical mass needed for a thriving ministry to single Christians, but most do not. True North provides a Christ-centered, non-denominational, specialized ministry that can serve both kinds of churches.

2.  What does the name ‘True North’ mean?

This is derived from the fact that the needle of a compass does not actually point to true north but rather to magnetic north. Magnetic north is slowly but constantly moving and rarely syncs with true north. Therefore, if you follow the compass needle without making the necessary corrections, you will get lost! We think this is a great metaphor for life as a follower of Christ: to keep from getting lost, we must constantly correct our path to aim for Christ’s Kingdom values, not world values.

3.  Can only Christian singles attend True North events?

ALL single adults are welcome, regardless of their religious beliefs or lack thereof. Practically speaking, True North is best suited to those who have a personal faith in Jesus Christ or are interested in knowing more about Him.

4.  Is there an age range?

All single adults are welcome, regardless of age. Some events are set up for specific age ranges, but the large gatherings include all ages. Some people initially find it disconcerting to be at a ‘singles event’ with people half their age or twice their age, but that is simply a reflection of the common thinking that any gathering of singles is for the purpose of dating, matchmaking, mate-seeking, etc.

5.  Are single parents welcome? Is childcare provided?

Again, ALL single adults are welcome, whether they have children or not. We hope to provide childcare in the future, particularly at large gatherings.

6.  So what exactly does True North do?

The best and most up-to-date answer to that is found in the ‘Calendar’ section of this web site, but here’s a general description:

There is a large gathering once a month on a Friday evening, usually at a local church. We call this ‘The Feast’ because it is satisfying combination of food (usually hearty hors d’oeuvres plus dessert), worship music, inspiration, and conversation. It is one of three focal points of True North.

The two other focal points are the periodic ‘Action Day’, when we mobilize for the Kingdom, and the quarterly ‘Forum’, which provides an opportunity to participate in informed discussion of difficult topics.

We also have the monthly outings on Saturday or Sunday, potluck dinners, and short-term small groups (usually six weeks) that are topic-focused.

7.  How does True North support the local church?

True North links the single Christians in the area churches through a variety of gatherings, helping to build a broad-based, Christian singles community that is a positive, powerful force for the Kingdom. It is also a welcoming place of entry into the Christian community for single adults who do not go to church.

Great care is taken not to duplicate or compete but rather to strengthen and complement the mission of the local churches. Here are some ways in which True North distinguishes itself from the church:

8.  Are you teaching that singleness is somehow superior to marriage?

Singleness is a reality for everybody at one or more points in life, and in today’s culture it is often viewed negatively. At the same time, it is a life stage with powerful potential for the Kingdom. Here are some of the advantages we share as single Christians: increased availability to God, freedom in shaping one's future, flexibility of schedule, and openness to new relationships and experiences. But while we seek to leverage these advantages of singleness, we also value marriage and actively support those of us who are seeking our life partner.

9.  How is True North organized?

The ministry is led by the Singles Pastor, Jane DeYoung. Jane is licensed for pastoral office by the Evangelical Covenant denomination and will be ordained in the near future. The Singles Pastor articulates the ministry vision, leads the planning and implementation of the ministry events, develops ministry leadership, and communicates regularly with the pastors of the participating churches.

The Leadership Team, including the Singles Pastor, is comprised of from five to ten individuals from different area churches. They meet weekly to plan and implement the ministry vision.

The Core Group is a group of ten to twenty-five individuals, representing every participating church, who provide much of the energy that undergirds the ministry. Committed to the ministry vision, they support the Leadership Team in implementing events.

The Board of Directors oversees the ministry direction and finances. They also provide guidance, encouragement, and accountability for the Singles Pastor.

10.  How is the ministry financed?