New Phase of Ministries for Disciples Health and Social Service Agencies

A new phase of ministry has begun for five Disciples health and social service agencies. As of January 2014, the National Benevolent Association (NBA)—the health and social service general ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)—will no longer serve as the sole corporate member for the following agencies: the Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc. in Jackson, Mississippi; the Florida Christian Center, Inc. in Jacksonville, Florida; the Christian Services for Children in Alabama, Inc. in Montgomery, Alabama; Woodhaven in Columbia, Missouri; and the Serra Residential Center, Inc. in Fremont, California.

The NBA worked with the administration and board leadership of each organization in order for each of their respective agencies to claim full autonomy and authority for their mission and ministries. By releasing corporate membership the NBA will not have a direct vote on their boards, and the agencies’ financial statements are no longer included with the NBA’s consolidated financial statements. The NBA continues to provide administrative support to the agencies who have requested support as a service for their ministries. These services include accounting, board development resources, and connections to other Disciples health and social service providers.

 “We are excited for Woodhaven to move forward with autonomy and greater independence. This new relationship with the NBA will allow us to be a more agile organization as the needs of people with developmental disabilities evolve. It will also empower us to continue developing and deepening our connections with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), which is such a large part of our identity. As we celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2014, we can embark with confidence on the new opportunities afforded to Woodhaven and the people who are living happy and productive lives through our services,” reflects Mark Palmer, CEO of Woodhaven Learning Center.

Cynthia Stinson, CEO for Christian Services for Children in Alabama (CSCA), speaks of how “CSCA was born out of the desire of local Disciples to provide services for children within their own community. The children and families ministered to by CSCA have achieved incredibly positive outcomes. This transition to local governance will allow our Central Alabama community to truly live out the passion of servanthood. Now with local autonomy, we envision a stronger connection with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Alabama and Northwest Florida, while embracing a new relationship with the NBA. We value our 23-year history with the NBA and look forward to new opportunities to continue serving children who are at risk of abuse and neglect.”

The Rev. Brent Reynolds, Executive Director for the Florida Christian Center, also expresses his excitement at the new phase of connectedness and ministry. “After over 100 years of ministry and outreach, the Florida Christian Center is excited to continue to serve older adults and persons with special needs as a living witness and response to our Christian faith. We look forward to a reformed and transformed relationship with the NBA, utilizing the various educational and relational services that the NBA will continue to provide for us. As we move into greater independence, we are challenged to find new ways to strengthen our relationship with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) at local, regional, and general expressions of the church, as partners in a shared witness of Christian love, integrity, compassion, unity, and stewardship.”

“Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc. is now in our twenty-sixth year of ministry to vulnerable children and youth of Mississippi.  Our rich history of being associated with the National Benevolence Association and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) from the very beginning of this ministry has help us grow to become a statewide ministry that has touched over 10,000 lives this past year.  We are so thankful for the support and direction that have been given by the NBA during our twenty-sixth years and are excited about the future as we continue in a new autonomous but cooperative relationship with the NBA and other Disciples−related ministries through the Disciples Care Exchange,” reflects Jerry Jackson, Executive Director for Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, Inc.

Serra Residential Center, Inc., based in Fremont, California, which provides compassionate care for adults with developmental disabilities through community-based residential group homes licensed by the California Department of Public Health and Independent and Supported Living Services, will complete the transition in March. Serra Center is in the process of applying for tax-exempt status. Serra Center’s Board of Directors and CEO, Lisa Senadenos, look to the transition with great enthusiasm. “We look forward to Serra Center returning to a grass roots, nonprofit movement focused on the life giving and joyful work that is reciprocated through our mission. Building on our historic relationship with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Northern California and Nevada we anticipate new opportunities for outreach and connection within the wider Disciples network and other faith-based communities.”

NBA’s move to release corporate membership within each of these agencies follows the strategic directions that the NBA no longer owns and operates direct care facilities. “As part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) we value the tremendous care that is happening in these ministries, and we seek to support and strengthen the mission and ministry being done. Our denomination continues to move forward in growing and adapting to serve the needs of local communities. In the same spirit, the NBA also moves forward as we believe the mission of the NBA ministry is to serve as a common ground to connect and share wisdom and resources among the various people and ministries within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ),” states Mark Anderson, President and CEO. “We know that meaningful health and social service ministry is done each day across the life of the Disciples church. Through collaborative partnerships, the NBA seeks to incubate, initiate, and connect these ministries of compassion and care as well as faithfully witness to the whole church and beyond.

The NBA, in partnership with Disciples Home Missions (DHM), is collaboratively working with all Disciples health and social service ministries and historic mission centers to form and strengthen the Disciples Care Exchange. The Exchange is a network of Disciples non-profit agencies and congregational ministries that seek to connect as peers. Through the Exchange, these partners share best-practice guidelines, develop social advocacy alliances, and serve as resources for one another. The ultimate goal is to strengthen and lift up local ministries of care while encouraging Disciples to continue to be actively engaged in their missions.

To find out more about the Disciples Care Exchange or if you would like to learn more about joining the Exchange, please visit www.nbacares.org/disciples-care-exchange.

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