FAQS
Network Christians Social Events & Holidays
How does Network differ from other singles organisation?
• History—Well, to begin with Network has a long history, about 20 years, and during that time we hope we have learned a lot.
• Interdenominational—We recognise and we welcome the fact that we are drawn from a wide range of theological backgrounds, and we know that each of us is on an individual personal and spiritual journey. Our aim is to provide a place of acceptance, affirmation and friendship for everyone regardless of denominational background or shade of Christian belief.
• Range of service—We offer the widest range of services to UK Single Christians...Our new free internet friendship/dating, our matching service and social calendar. No other organisation offers as many events and holidays.
• Wealth of experience—We design our social events to give you an opportunity to spend quality time with others. The purpose of our social programme is to give you chance to meet new Christian single people, to relax, to have fun, and to spend time in congenial company. However, nothing is compulsory and you are entirely free to take time out - whatever is right for you. Some events are large, some are a lot more intimate.
• Quality & Value—Each event is structured and residential events have a fully organised programme. All events are hosted, usually at a venue hired by us. The price of our residential events usually include everything other than drinks at the bar. They could easily be called “All inclusive” as we do our best to avoid hidden costs.
• Friendly face and voice—With the advent of the internet, it can seem increasingly difficult to speak to and meet those who are providing a service for you. Our office staff are happy to give you advice on our events & holidays, the use of our website, and matching service. They can provide you with posters, bookmarks and business cards to help you spread the word about our service. If you attend our social events you will meet Sue, our director and other Network volunteer workers in person.
10 easy things you can do to help us…
1. Be familiar with our booking & refund policy - all deposits and day event payments are non-refundable, please do not cause embarrassment to yourself and our staff by asking for a refund.
2. Use insurance cover whenever possible.
3. Book events early, remember Members always have priority.
4. Provide us with a landline number or call us back. (Landline to mobile phone charges are high and this has resulted in a marked increase in our phone costs).
5. If you need to cancel please tell us straightaway, even if you have only provisionally booked.
6. Give us your up to date e-mail address.
7. Download booking forms from our website.
8. “Official” photos really liven up our newsletters. Say “cheese” or tell us if you’d rather not appear in print.
9. Let us know when you get engaged or married. We would love to see the photos and it’s a real encouragement to us.
10. Tell your church minister & your single friends about us.
What about Christian ministry?
Well, this is can be a challenge as we are of so many denominations. However, at our residential events we provide occasions for Christian reflection & worship that are intended to help you on your personal journey. We do not presume to tell you what you should believe, and we ask our members to similarly respect the differing beliefs of those they may meet. We have discovered that we often grow by sharing the same questions, drawn from our life experience, and by listening to each other's journeys.
I thought Christian things were meant to be cheap...
We believe that “cheap” doesn’t necessarily mean good value. Network prides itself on offering well organised hosted events... so there are some corners we simply won’t cut.
So bear in mind...
Unfortunately the UK is an expensive place to eat out & holiday. Also we mostly use Christian venues who are unable to offer us the cut price deals that secular organisations can afford. Remember that Network holidays are usually “All Inclusive”. There are no hidden costs, so other than your bar bill and any off site purchases, you need little spending money. Our service is specialised and tailored to suit the needs of a tiny portion of the population, so we do not benefit from a high volume of customers. If you check out similar secular services like dating agencies and diners clubs you will find that membership is many more times expensive.
Remember too that your event / holiday price is subsidised by volunteer hosts, speakers, walk leaders and office workers. The money saved by these volunteers does not go to Network but remains in your pocket. Network is a “not for profit” organisation, so you can be confident that all profits are ploughed back into serving single UK Christians. Network runs most day events at a loss as we are committed to our Singles Ministry.
What’s your usual ratio of Male to Female?
It’s a well known fact that most social groups, attract a higher proportion of women compared to men. This is particularly the case with secular organisations where women can easily out number men 6 to 1.
Consequently, Network Christians has organised it’s booking system to help redress this imbalance. Men will take up a third or more of our places on any event. Often we strike a 50/50 balance, as we did on all our 25-45s events in 2006. We endeavour to get a 2:1 women to men ratio or better.
Our members do have a role to play in helping us recruit new members and particularly in encouraging male Christian friends to join us. It’s important that our marketing efforts and your word of mouth act in tandem to make Network Christians an organisation that it well known, respected and attractive.
Why do you have special weekends for those under 45 but not for any other age groups?
All our day events and 9 weekends & mini-breaks are open to all between their late 20s to 70s. On any “all age” event there will be a good cross section of those in their 40s and higher. People who are 40 and above can be sure of meeting people in their own age range on these events.
This is not necessarily the case for those in their 20s and 30s as this age group is generally less likely to join a social group. Therefore special weekends are required to enable people under 40 to meet one another. For this reason we increased our 25-45s weekends to 3 each year in 2006.
Is it a waste of time putting my name on a 'waiting list' for an event or holiday?
We accept it is disappointing for people to be offered a place on the 'waiting list' rather than the booking they wished. However, a lot of people who go on a 'waiting list' do in fact get offered a place once our male to female ratio has evened out. It is also important to remember that the 'waiting list' is viewed more as an expression of interest rather than an actual waiting list. All places are offered at our discretion, rather than on a 'first come first served basis'.
I’ve enjoyed the 25-45s weekends but am now outside this age range. I probably won’t renew my membership as I doubt I will enjoy the All Age Events as much.
It’s easy for those who have not tried an all age event to assume this. However, many people under 45, who try our all age events really enjoy them and keep on coming. Remember, if you are in your 40s, you will always meet people in your age range on an all age event so it seems a pity for you to miss out and a pity for us to loose you!
How can I get more involved?
Network is an organisation that wants to encourage its members to be of service to one another. The success of our events and many of our activities are organised and led by members who give their time, effort and skills voluntarily. If you have a skill that you would be happy to offer, we would delighted to hear from you — please don’t wait to be asked!
“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds it self up in love, as each part does its work.”
Ephesians 4 verse 16
Do you encourage people to pray for your organisation?
We really appreciate those of our members who support us in prayer. Here are some items we would like you to bear in mind...
• That Network Christians increasingly has the goodwill of churches and other Christian organisations.
• That Network Christians becomes able to expand its services to churches to assist them to understand the challenges faced by single Christians.
• That Network Christians has an even greater flow of new members.
• That our events continue to be a place where people find encouragement and fun.
• That our team of helpers grow as more members are willing and able to use their skills in service of others –specifically IT skills, assistant hosts , writing, day event organising etc.
• Sue, Jean, Sonia and Linda as they work in the office—their workload, conversations with members and encouragement.
What are “Friends of Network Christians”?
Over the past 19 years Network Christians has served approximately 16,000 single Christians. It attracts people from all over the UK and from many different social and professional backgrounds.
Previously, once members were in a serious relationship, they were discouraged from attending social events or holidays. Usually, after the initial letter of thanks to the Network Christians office, all contact was lost, along with any practical help or skills that they may have provided our members. Many people have also spoken to us, of the joy of meeting someone special being tinged with the sadness of losing a valued social circle of friends.
Consequently, we want to harness the goodwill of these members and actively encourage them to consider continuing their link with our organisation. We want them to be part of Network Christian’s growth and future success.
A ”friend” of Network will receive our quarterly Network Newsletter to keep them up to speed and also be able to book on all age events and so be able to continue to enjoy meeting new and old friends.
We recognise that new relationships bring new responsibilities and not all members will be able to attend our events or give their time or skills. However, we would like to encourage those members who have benefited from our organisation to consider becoming a “Friend” or giving a small financial gift that can be used to further our work.
We continue to have the needs of Single Christians at our heart and the “character” of our events will remain unchanged. To ensure this places available to couples will be limited.
Read some of our friends stories please click here.
TOUCANDO INTRODUCTION SERVICE
How to get the best out of your matching service…
Your criteria…
• Think carefully about the restrictions you put on your application. Your opportunities increase the more reasonable your criteria and the larger the geographical area that you are willing to consider.
• The age range you choose can dramatically expand or reduce your opportunities. Women using our service are usually happy to meet someone up to 5 years older and some are happy to extend this to 10 years older. However, it is rare for a woman to be looking for a partner more than 10 years her senior. It is generally accepted that men tend to look for a younger partner and indeed some women do so too. You need to keep in mind that the more realistic your age range the more opportunities you will have to meet a potential partner.
• It’s wise to give people a choice of ways to contact you. Not everyone will have access to e-mail, some may prefer to make initial contact by phone and others will prefer to write.
• You can reword your profile or change your specifications at any time.
Photos …
• A photograph makes a real impression so it is worth investing in a good up to date photo that you can give to those who request one.
Making contact…
• Contact everyone on your list unless you are sure they would not be suitable for you. A profile is merely a snapshot and is unlikely to do a person real justice. Those on your list are unlikely to have your details so it is important that you make the initial contact!
• Patience is a virtue! Most people find it difficult to make, or indeed receive, an initial contact. It’s easy to become overly nervous and say things you later regret! Give yourself a chance to get to know someone. Aim to contact each person 3 times before you decide their suitability.
By phone…
• When phoning remember to use the 141 prefix if you wish to keep your phone number confidential. Tell them who you are and that you have had their details through the matching service. Ask them whether they are happy to talk now or whether it would be better to arrange a time for you to call back. It’s often best to keep the first call short and light in tone.
By e-mail…
• When using e-mail remember your match probably does not have you profile so tell them about yourself. After corresponding for a short time it is usually beneficial to move to phone contact.
In writing…
• First impressions count so choose suitable paper and envelopes. Provide good information about yourself and tell your match how you would prefer them to respond.
• When using a box number seal your letter in an envelope. Write your contacts name and number on the front of it, add a stamp and then place that envelope in another addressed to the Network. When we receive we will add an address label and post it on.
When meeting
• Always put your safety first. Your initial meetings should be in safe, public places. Keep the mood light and avoid divulging too much personal information by limiting your first meeting to 2 hours.
Responding to contacts…
• Respond to every contact. If you do not wish to pursue further contact then thank them for contacting you and let them know that you do not feel you are suited to one another.
• Please tell us when you are unable to respond to contacts either due to a relationship or busyness. Your membership will then be suspended until you contact us again. This will avoid embarrassment on your part and disappointment for the person contacting you.
Any difficulties…
• Please inform us of any difficulties or concerns.