Equity Commitments

Since the founding of the National Benevolent Association of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1887, considerations of equity and justice have been at the heart of our work. Yet NBA has never had a clear story about our equity work. Thus, in 2024, NBA undertook a project to weave together moments, milestones, perspectives, and experiences from across our history into a cohesive narrative of our equity journey as an organization.

In addition to a review of historical and recent materials, the project centered on a series of engagement sessions with NBA’s Board of Trustees, leadership team, program staff, and external partners. This messaging framework is the outcome of that collaborative work.

NBA’s Equity Commitment Statements

The work of justice is Christ’s work—and we are Disciples of Christ.

Through the mission of the NBA, from 1886 to today, we are called together to bear witness to inequities and injustices in our society, to open our hearts and minds to the suffering of others, and to respond to them with passion and compassion, creativity and care.

We pursue justice in community.

We hear the call to justice by listening to the voices of people and communities around us, and we pursue justice by working together with the people and communities we seek to serve.

We pursue justice in everything we do.

In every generation of NBA’s mission, we broaden our own understanding of equity and justice and we create new models that help light the way forward for other organizations and communities as well.

Our justice work depends on all of us, every day.

Staff and board, leadership and volunteers, partners and congregations, clergy and laypeople all have vital roles to play in delivering on our mission of healing, compassion, and justice—and all are invited to engage and grow along with us.