Resources
Community Groups
Accord Network members understand that we are stronger when we learn and work together with humility and curiosity. To foster collaboration, Accord Network offers an array of interest-based alliances, communities of practice, and working groups.
Membership is FREE for employees of Accord Network member organizations.
If your organization is not an Accord member, access to community groups is available for $120/year.
Alliances
Accord Research Alliance (ARA)
Chaired by: Eastern University
Launched 2017
The Accord Research Alliance facilitates a learning community around measuring what matters in Christ-centered relief and development. The ARA recently launched The Accord Research Alliance Podcast as a way for members to share experiences, resources, and tools and facilitate the sharing of best practices. Subscribe to the podcast or listen on Soundcloud.
The ARA is led by a steering committee with contributing members from the following Accord Network member organizations:
- Compassion International
- Eastern University
- The Chalmers Center
Formation & Care Alliance (FCA)
Chaired by: World Vision International and Compassion International
Launched 2023
The FCA’s purpose is to equip and provide resources to Accord members as they support the holistic flourishing and resilience of the communities they serve.
We’ll seek to do this through focused:
- Discussions and events on spiritual formation and care that promote learning and collaboration across different organizations
- Shared experienced, promising practices, and lessons learned
- Shared resources, tools, or other information that contribute to network-wide learning and development of Accord members
Accord member Christian relief and development professionals and agencies who base their initiatives on biblical principles and work to re-engage the Church in holistic ministry among the poor and needy are welcome to join.
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Alliance (WASH)
Chaired by: SonSet Solutions, Design Outreach, and Water Mission
Launched 2012
The Accord WASH Alliance is a collaboration of Accord members and other Christian professionals working in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene sector. The Alliance builds relationships and promotes excellence, with a particular focus on WASH in the context of integral mission.
The Accord Summit on Excellence in WASH serves as an anchor meeting for the alliance and is held each fall as part of OneAccord each fall. Throughout the remainder of the year, a Steering Committee and a number of standing Working Groups meet regularly.
Community Groups (CGs)
Faculty
Chaired by: Baylor University
Launched 2021
The mission of the Accord Faculty Group is to increase faculty and student participation in the Accord Network, serve Accord organizations through making research available, and facilitate scholarly conversations of relevance to Christian relief, development & advocacy organizations. Our primary activities include a monthly webinar series, annual meetings at OneAccord, and regular support for Accord's CRDA journal.
Foreign Assistance
Chaired by: ADRA and Faith to Action, with Steering Committee members from CitiHope International, World Relief, and World Vision
Launched 2025
The purpose of the Accord Network’s Foreign Assistance Community Group (FA CG) is to enable coordination, collaboration, mutual support, and prayer among Accord members seeking to learn about, inform, and shape the foreign assistance policies and practices of the United States government, other governments, multilateral agencies, foundations, and other institutions engaged in global humanitarian and development work.
Accord and its members approach engagements with all of these foreign assistance entities with prayerful discernment, rooted in commitment to our faith and core values. Accord and its members do not seek to align with the politics or policies of any specific government. Our engagement priorities and approaches are driven by our Christian commitment to serve the vulnerable people and communities we work with.
The FA CG has a virtual meeting every month.
Finance
Chaired by: HOPE International and Hope Rises
Launched 2024
The FCoP’s purpose is to connect finance and accounting staff members of Accord member organizations as they build relationships with one another, create space to ask questions, and provide insight into one another’s methods and techniques. We believe that through mutual sharing of ourselves and our practices, we can encourage, support, and spur one another on to continuous improvement as we seek to serve the Lord in our work and as whole beings. They will meet quarterly throughout 2026.
Human Resources
Chaired by: HOPE International and Water Mission
Launched 2024
The Accord Network Human Resources (HR) Community of Practice exists to connect, encourage and equip Christian HR professionals serving in global contexts. We foster meaningful relationships through sharing resources, mutual support and shared learning — strengthening our work and well-being as we care for others.
Knowledge Management
Chaired by: Compassion International and CBN/Operation Blessing
Launched 2025
Marketing & Fundraising
Chaired by: Cross International and Accessible Hope International
Launched 2024
The Accord Marketing & Fundraising Community of Practice (mfCoP) connects the Marketing & Fundraising departments of Christian relief and development organizations to build community, discuss industry trends, share best practices, create space to ask questions, host speakers/panelists, and develop relationships among this group of professionals. This CoP invites all those who have roles in marketing, fundraising, foundations, church relations, events, media (storytelling, content creation, etc.), and more! Whether you are a seasoned leader or a junior practitioner starting out in these fields, all are welcome to join in the Marketing & Fundraising Community of Practice. Beginning in 2025, we will plan to meet virtually each quarter plus gather in-person each fall at OneAccord.
For more information, click "I want to join a group" at the top of this page.
Operations
Chaired by: ECHO and World Relief
Launched 2025
The purpose of this group is to discuss and learn from one another in relevant and current issues affecting both domestic and international operations. Topics could cover IT, Security, Logistics, Infrastructure, Physical Plant (Base issues), and more.
Public Health
Chaired by: Convoy of Hope and Living Water International
Launched 2024
The Public Health Community of Practice (PH CoP) connects public health practitioners across Accord member organizations to learn from one another, share challenges and best practices, and collaborate around complex global health issues. Grounded in a Christian understanding of human dignity and holistic well-being, this group creates space for thoughtful dialogue, reflection, and mutual encouragement.
Through shared learning opportunities such as organization spotlights, book discussions, and facilitated conversations, the PH CoP seeks to strengthen practice while fostering community among those seeking to serve the Lord faithfully in their work. The group meets every other month and welcomes participants from a wide range of public health roles and contexts.
Partner Networks
Christian Economic Development (CED)
Chaired by: HOPE International
Launched 2023
​The Christian Economic Development (CED) Network is a community of 200+ organizations in 75 countries committed to Christ-centered economic development. Our purpose is to create a space where organizations and individuals can share best practices, learn from each other's challenges, and encourage each other in our pursuits of transformational economic development.
Leadership Formation Groups
Fuller Formation Cohorts
Chaired by: Accord Network and Fuller Theological Seminary
Launched 2026
In partnership with Fuller Theological Seminary, Accord Network hosts two year-long cohorts annually - one for CEOs and one for Senior Leaders - which combine individual spiritual practices, community learning and reflection, and rejuvenating retreat spaces to help participants:
- Establish patterns of deep spiritual formation for fully integrated life in Christ
- Cultivate tools to address the critical issues that they face as leaders, and the challenges of those they serve
- Grow in awareness of God’s work in the world and of their unique role in His Kingdom
- Learn from a community of peers, coached by seasoned leaders and mentors
Applications for the 2027 cohorts will be available in the Fall.
Academic Journal
In the summer of 2019, Accord launched a new journal, Christian Relief, Development, and Advocacy (CRDA) that provides a written forum for the presentation of best practices, research, and discussions of issues central to the work of Accord members.
The journal contributes to Accord’s mission by helping Relief, Development and Advocacy (RDA) practitioners and academics share their knowledge, skills, and reflections with others in both the Accord and broader Christian RDA communities.
CRDA releases two editions each year. It is online and open access, meaning that our neighbors and fellow workers the world over have access to it without fees. The journal is also peer-reviewed, meaning that everything published goes through a review process with knowledgeable and experienced professionals; and is in the process of being indexed by EBSCO and ProQuest. We are delighted that it appears to be serving its purpose; as of 2023, the journal has had more than 17,000 views, with over 13,000 articles and reviews downloaded by people from more than 90 different countries.
The journal addresses many questions that are of special interest to Christians, like what the Christian faith says about poverty, economic inequality, ethnic conflict, gender discrimination, corruption, environmental management, disaster preparedness, children’s well-being, health care, social justice, and good governance. Important questions about political engagement, doing development work in non-Christian settings, and how Christianity is integrated into health, WASH, or microenterprise programs all need to be intentionally addressed through the lens of faith. Many more such questions await our faithful attention.
In the spirit of iron sharpening iron, we hope that the CRDA will foster a rich discussion among practitioners in the field, as well as build bridges across any divide between practitioners and academics who study theories and practices. By working together and talking things through, we will all be stronger and better able to be obedient to the Second Great Commandment of loving and serving our neighbors.
Roland Hoksbergen and David Bronkema are co-editors of the journal. The editorial board is comprised of a diverse group of Christian professionals who work in a variety of Christian and secular NGOs, other RDA institutions, universities, multilateral institutions, and think tanks.
Roland and David invite you to check in with them with any questions you might have. If you have an idea for an article, book reviews, or simply a thought piece from the field, feel free to share it with them for some initial feedback before you take on the full project. Write to them at CRDA@accordnetwork.org.
Vimeo Gallery
To view a previously recorded webinar, check out our video gallery.
