EDUCATE
embracing diversity
One Accord strives to support DBC in growing a multi-ethnic church that welcomes, reflects, and serves our community. Our vision is to foster a church where all races, people, tribes, and languages come together before the throne
ENGAGE
building unity
WORSHIP
glorifying God
"How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity." - Ps 133:1
"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" - Gal 3:28
"God created mankind in his own image; in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them" - Gen 1:27
"After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands." - Rev 7:9
"How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity." - Ps 133:1
"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" - Gal 3:28
"God created mankind in his own image; in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them" - Gen 1:27
"After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands." - Rev 7:9
Focus of the Month
This month's DBC sermon series focuses on the book of Philippians. Our One Accord Ministry is rooted in the powerful message of Philippians, urging us to be of one mind and spirit, united in love and purpose (Philippians 2:2). As we focus on the book of Philippians, we're reminded that our unity is not just a goal, but a reflection of God's love and character. In Philippians, Paul urges believers to prioritize humility and consider others more significant than themselves (Philippians 2:3-4). This mindset is crucial for building a unified community that welcomes and serves diverse individuals. By embracing humility and unity, our church can become a powerful reflection of God's love and character.
Let's explore how to apply Philippians' teachings on unity and humility to specific aspects of our church community.
Worship
- Diverse expressions of worship: Encourage various cultural expressions of worship, music, and art in your services (Philippians 2:2, Revelation 7:9-10).
- Inclusive language and leadership: Ensure language and leadership reflect the diversity of your community.
Outreach
- Community engagement: Partner with local organizations to serve diverse needs, demonstrating God's love (Philippians 2:4, Matthew 25:31-46).
- Cultural sensitivity: Train outreach teams to understand and respect cultural differences.
Leadership Development
- Empower diverse leaders: Identify and equip leaders from various backgrounds to serve (Philippians 2:3-4, 1 Timothy 3:1-7).
- Mentorship and support: Provide opportunities for growth and accountability.
Celebration of the Month
Martin Luther King Jr. was a Christian minister and civil rights leader who championed nonviolent resistance and equality. Born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia, he grew up in a Baptist family and was heavily influenced by his father, a pastor, and his grandmother, who told him Bible stories. King's early life was marked by experiences with racial segregation and discrimination, which fueled his determination to fight for equality. He attended Morehouse College, Crozer Theological Seminary, and Boston University, where he earned his Ph.D. in systematic theology. In 1954, King became pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, and soon became involved in the Civil Rights Movement. His faith deeply influenced his values, emphasizing justice, kindness, and humility. King's commitment to nonviolent resistance and his faith in Christianity guided his actions. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his efforts to combat racial inequality. Tragically, King was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee.
Key Events in King's Life:
- Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955): King led a 381-day boycott against segregated buses, resulting in a Supreme Court ruling that prohibited segregation on public buses.
- Southern Christian Leadership Conference (1957): King co-founded the SCLC, which became a powerful force in the Civil Rights Movement.
- March on Washington (1963): King delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech, calling for racial equality and justice.
- Civil Rights Act (1964) and Voting Rights Act (1965): King's leadership contributed to the passage of these landmark legislations.
King's vision of the "Beloved Community" aligns with One Accord Ministry's mission to support and equip Christ's followers, reaching the lost, serving those in need, and displaying God's love. He believed in confronting injustice with moral courage, stating, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere". King's legacy emphasizes unity, compassion, and service, resonating with One Accord's goals. His commitment to empowering marginalized communities and promoting economic justice remains as relevant today as it was then.
- Serve side‑by‑side in your community: Join a local MLK Day of Service project—packing food bags, cleaning a neighborhood, or assembling care kits—as countless churches and groups already do.
- Put faith into concrete love: Let "love be genuine" (Romans 12:21) by responding to hate with kindness, volunteering at a shelter, or helping a neighbor.
- Champion unity and reconciliation: Reflect King's dream of a "Beloved Community" by listening to marginalized voices, diversifying worship, and studying the history of race in America.
- Speak up for justice: Use your voice to confront racism and injustice in your circles, remembering King's words about silence being a betrayal of justice.
- Deepen your understanding: Read King's speeches, study the civil‑rights movement, or join a book discussion about diversity, unity, and faith.
- Invite others to join: Share a simple service idea on social media, comment "SERVE" to get a local project link, or bring a friend along.
Events going on in our community!
We hope to see YOU there!
MLK Day at the Center
Celebrate & Discover Black History Month
Women's Retreat
Night of Worship
Frequently Asked Questions:
Below are a few of the questions and/or concern that you may have about ministry. After reviewing the section, if you have any additional questions and/or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us at OneAccord@dbc.org
Reconciliation between people is important because it is important to God. In Ephesians 2, we see that Jesus broke the wall of hostility between Jews and the Gentiles. His purpose was to create in Himself one body, from two very different and distinct ethnic groups. God wants us to be vertically reconciled to Him and horizontally reconciled to others. And as in all cases, reconciliation requires intentional conversations about difficult issues. There is no better place to have difficult conversations than in the Church, a community called to love one another.
DBC is a welcoming church and most people who visit here say they feel welcomed at the first point of contact. But integrating into our church can be difficult. We’ve heard this from a variety of people. Finding ways to welcome and receive all people in our increasingly diverse community is critical to our mission. Our purpose for this specific ministry is to build a culture of hospitality in our church for everyone.
It is good and right to see people based on their character and as God’s creation, made in his image. But God created diverse cultures. In Revelation 7:9, John says “After these things I looked, and behold a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne…”. The implication is that John saw diversity, and that is OK. We are all different and we can value the diversity this brings. Growing in our understanding of others can help us as a church fulfill our mission to make disciples of all nations so that the vision of Revelation 7:9 is fulfilled!
We're excited to hear that you're interested in joining our One Accord ministry! Here's what you need to know:
OA Leadership Team Members:
- Meeting Frequency: Meets once a month to plan and strategize
- Responsibilities: Provides strategic direction, makes key decisions, and oversees team activities
- Expectations: Leaders are expected to be proactive, communicative, and passionate about promoting unity and diversity within DBC. Additionally, leaders are expected to model the same level of commitment and participation as team members, including supporting events, participating in volunteer opportunities, contributing skills and talents, and engaging with the DBC community.
OA Team Members:
- Event Support: Assists with planning and execution of various events throughout the year
- Volunteer Opportunities: Participates in volunteer opportunities, such as outreach programs, community events, and worship services
- Skill-Based Contributions: Contributes skills and talents, such as graphic design, social media management, or music, to support team initiatives
- Community Engagement: Engages with the DBC community, builds relationships, and promotes unity and diversity efforts
Benefits of Joining:
- Sense of Community: Connect with like-minded individuals who share a passion for unity and diversity
- Spiritual Growth: Deepen your faith and understanding of God's love
- Leadership Development: Develop leadership skills, such as event planning, communication, and teamwork
- Diverse Perspectives: Broaden your understanding and appreciation of different cultures
- Service Opportunities: Engage in meaningful service projects, outreach programs, and community events
- Networking: Build relationships with others in the church and community
- Personal Growth: Develop empathy, compassion, and a greater sense of social responsibility
Requirements:
- You must be at least 17 years old
- You should have a passion for celebrating diverse cultures and promoting unity within DBC
Get Involved:
If you're interested in joining our team, please email us at OneAccord@dbc.org. Let us know how you'd like to contribute and we'll be in touch!
One Accord strives to support DBC in growing a multi-ethnic church that welcomes, reflects, and serves our community. Our vision is to foster a church where all races, people, tribes, and languages come together before the throne
Questions? Send us an email
Admin Office hours: Monday - Thursday, 10:30 am - 3:30 pm