FAQ
What is the mission statement of NBA?
Creating Communities of Compassion and Care is our new mission statement that was adopted by the NBA Board of Trustees in the summer of 2011.
How does NBA create communities of compassion and care?
We are currently providing compassionate care through our Care Partners (Woodhaven, Serra Center, Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Christian Services for Children in Alabama, Florida Christian Center, and ECHO) and the Chaplaincy care program with chaplains offering pastoral care in five different states (AZ, CA, IL, IA, TX). Along with our other current services, we also equip congregations and other direct care providers to provide services to those in need. We also assist in equipping congregations to be advocates for the “least of these”.
Who are these communities?
Communities may be a surrounding neighborhood of a congregation, a Region, the service area of a direct care provider, or the community of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
How will NBA equip congregations and direct care providers?
We recognize that congregations and direct care providers are the hands and feet of Jesus. We are strategically exploring ways to equip these various health and human service ministries through potential grants targeting those in need, advocacy endeavors, support and training of leaders, mission and needs assessments, and other activities to strengthen and sustain ministries.
Will NBA partner with others?
Absolutely! We cannot create communities of compassion and care on our own. We will partner with local congregations, Regions, other General Ministries, and the Disciples Care Network. We will develop partnerships across denominational lines, including the United Church of Christ.
Who is Disciples Care Network (DCN)?
DCN is a recognized ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) that is made up of 164 health and human service agencies with more than 200 ministry sites. In covenant with Disciples, DCN provides direct care to more than 43,000 persons annually in 27 states. The network consists of current NBA service providers, former NBA service providers, and other health and social service ministries who are in covenantal relationship with the denomination. In 2011, the Board of Directors/Trustees of DCN and NBA developed an alliance to provide a consistent and stronger voice related to all ministries mercy and care.
How are the ministries of NBA funded?
The funding for the ministries affiliated with NBA varies from agency to agency. This mix of funding is through individual gifts and bequests, spending rate from investment funds, governmental contracts, corporate and foundation grants, and Disciples Mission Fund, the denomination’s common fund. You can donate to us directly by clicking here.
How are NBA’s funds invested?
The majority of our funds – over 85% as of 5/31/2011 – are invested with the Christian Church Foundation, also a general ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). With the Foundation the money is invested in three funds: the Common Balanced Fund, the Beasley Growth Fund and the Campbell Multi-Strategy Fund. Each of these funds contains a different ratio of stocks, bonds and alternative investments. Most of the remaining funds support planned giving instruments and are invested at the Bank of New York.
Why the name change?
In 2004, NBA filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and emerged 14 months later. At that time, the NBA Board of Trustees felt a new name – Disciples Benevolent Services – would lead the organization in a new direction. However, after six years, the DBS name never caught on with the wider church, and in 2011 the board reclaimed the NBA name. The reclamation highlights our long and rich history of serving persons in need while at the same time focusing our attention on the transformational ministry we are about.
