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Because we believe that God's love in Jesus Christ has broken down the walls that divide us, we seek to embody that love in our congregation and welcome persons of all races, sexual orientations, and economic circumstances. |
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Northaven is located between Forest Lane and Royal Lane on the West side of Preston Road. |
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Worship Services
Services are held at 11:00 a.m. each Sunday. We hope that each morning's worship is both inspiring and challenging for you. Holy Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month. All are welcome to participate, including children, regardless of denominational affiliation.
We believe deeply in the power and movement of the Holy Spirit, and so, we invite you to feel free to participate in the service, especially at the time of the "Prayers of the People."
Attendance and Membership
Worship Attendance on |
7/25/2010: |
140 |
Worship Average for 2010: |
229 |
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New Members in 2010: |
28 |
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Total Members: |
668 |
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Office Hours
The church office is open from 9 am until 5 pm, Monday through Friday. The telephone number is 214-363-2479. When no one is available, please feel free to use the church's voice mail system and your call will be returned. If you have an emergency, please do not hesitate to call Eric at home, day or night (972-980-7240).
The Building
Entering the Building
If you visit the church on weekdays, please park in the north parking lot (Northaven Road side) and enter through the north sanctuary door. On entering, turn to the right and the church offices will be down the hall about thirty feet. For the safety of our Cooperative School children and staff, we ask that church visitors not use the south church door during school hours.
The Building and Grounds
Northaven's new church building opened in November of 2005. With sanctuary seating for more than 450, and ample new educational space for both the church and Coop School, Northaven's new building is an exciting part of our church's future.
How the Church Is Administered
Basic decisions about the mission of the church and its
operations are made by a 20-member group called the
Leadership Council. This group is nominated and elected on a
yearly basis. Implementation of the church's program
ministry is done by the Program Council. The oversight of
the building and grounds and parsonage is done by a 9-person
Board of Trustees. Hiring and supervision of all personnel
is done by the 9-member Staff-Parish Relations Commission.
There are standing committees on Membership and Evangelism,
Outreach, Education, Finance, Communications and
Worship.
In many cases, decisions are made by the elected leadership
of the church. In some cases, though, the entire membership
of the church is included in decisions.
In the United Methodist Church, the pastor is sent to the
church on a year-to-year basis by the bishop of the Dallas
area, though this sending is done in communication with the
Staff-Parish Relations Commission. This differs from some
church traditions in which the leaders of the church "call"
a pastor and do the hiring.
A yearly budget is developed in the fall and adopted by the
Finance Committee. The stewardship campaign is early in
November. Northaven members are among the highest per-capita
givers in North Texas Methodism. Gifts can be given at any
time of the year to the Northaven Covenant Funds, two
extra-budgetary funds that are used to support different
building needs and innovative Community, such as
lectureships. One is the Celebration Fund, in which recent
small gifts are spent immediately. The other is the
Permanent Endowment Fund, in which large gifts product
interest income for major program activities such as lecture
series or arts events.
How to Join
If you have felt moved by the worship, spirit, and mission
of Northaven Church and are interested in membership, please
speak with Rev. Eric Folkerth.
Brief History
Founded in 1955, Northaven grew steadily through the 1950s and early 1960s, establishing itself as a church of vital worship and preaching and social outreach. Such notable theologians as Paul Tillich, John A. T. Robinson, and Schubert Ogden gave lectures at Northaven and led the community into deeper understandings of the Christian faith and life.
Many people in the church took a vigorous stand against the war in Vietnam during the late 1960s and early 1970s, once again making Northaven a distinctive congregation within the city. A cooperative preschool and kindergarten was started in the late 1960s and has been one of Dallas' finest ever since. In 1998, Northaven voted to become the 148th church to join the national network of churches called the Reconciling Congregation Program, all devoted to making the United Methodist Church more inclusive of all people. In 2005, Northaven moved into its new building, marking the beginning of a dramatic and exciting new era in Northaven's history.
This intimate and active congregation now numbers more than 590 members, and many more consider it their church home. Among the hallmarks of the church are a vital worship and music experience, interest in the arts, outreach to the community and beyond, and sensitivity to inclusiveness and fellowship. The Rev. Eric Folkerth is the tenth pastor of Northaven. He has served Northaven since June of 2001.
The pastors of Northaven and the year in which each was appointed to Northaven:
1955 Addison Cutter
1958 William Holmes
1966 James Hares
1967 William McElvaney
1973 William Slack
1977 DeForrest Wiksten
1983 James Sanders
1985 C. Bourdon Smith
1991 John Thornburg
2001 Eric Folkerth
© 2009 Northaven United Methodist Church, Dallas, Texas. All rights reserved.