National Benevolent Association of the Christian Church

The National Benevolent Association's vision is to create communities of compassion and care

Core Values:

The core values of the NBA, a general ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), serve as the foundation of how we go about our work, organize ourselves and the communities we partner with, and how we measure our programs and initiatives. We live out these values in our daily in

teractions with one another and with the community members we accompany and advocate alongside. These values endure from season to season, situation to situation, and person to person. They guide our organizational culture as we live out faithful commitments to all of God’s creation.

* Rooted in Compassionate Care
We celebrate those who have served before us in creating a just world. Since 1886, the NBA’s mission and work emerged from the faithful witness of a small group of Disciples women seeking to address the needs of children and families in need. We value this legacy of serving the “least of these” and endeavor to root all of our initiatives in the value and dignity of human life and in serving a world that God so loves.

* Accountability
We claim our duty to be effective stewards of the resources entrusted to us. We are fiscally responsible and acknowledge our accountability to our partners and the communities we serve. We treat others with respect and strive to conduct our work in the spirit of transparency and openness. Where there is brokenness we strive for reconciliation.

* Collaborative Partnerships
We believe that meaningful results to build compassionate and caring communities happen only when we can work in partnership with God and a wide diversity of others – individuals, communities, churches and organizations. We affirm that by working with partners, as well as those we serve, and by practicing humble leadership, we have what we need to make a difference.

* Accompaniment
We value the creative voice and mind of all people as we seek to heed God’s call, especially in the important work of developing solutions through creative and innovative efforts designed to address personal challenges and systemic oppression. As we assume a posture of openness, we find in each other’s company the “bread” that will sustain us all. As we share life’s joys and struggles, at times picking up one another’s load going the hard way together, we create communities of compassion and care.

* Forward Leaning
We commit to learning and adapting as we move into the future. We understand that during times of change and new directions, the path forward often involves uncertainty and challenges. Through our shared efforts of advocacy, education, pastoral response, and professional care and services, we move towards the health and well-being of all.