|
|
|
|
Background for The Association for Christian Character Development  Our Vision -- Impacting the World Our vision is to impact the world through a life-defining experience of God's love. Love is God's eternal answer to mankind's heart, desires, loneliness, isolation, fears, bates. Whenever love binds two people together, a community is born. The community God has chosen for delivering His love to the world is the Body of Christ, His Church, in its many manifestations. If we are to impact the world with love, we must impact the church. We are committed to serve churches and ministries as well as seekers of all walks in life to prepare the way in their hearts to live in spiritual community. The cornerstone of community is love. The gift that we are for the body of Christ is to make the theories and doctrines of the Christian life into a tangible, livable reality, to such an extent that those we impact will experience a heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for the grace and mercy God has shown them through Jesus Christ. We are committed to being used by God as a powerful contribution to believers in the area of loving God and others. Further, in preparing the way for spiritual community, we provide both believers and unbelievers with an experience of the power of the Gospel and the saving grace of Jesus Christ Our PurposeThe purpose of our programs is to provoke individuals to love and good works, which demands a repentant lifestyle, a daily discipline of forgiveness, and continuing sanctification.Repentance. We define repentance as a heartfelt sorrow for sin, a renouncing of it, and a sincere commitment to forsake it and walk in obedience to Christ. To walk in obedience to Christ is to love God with all I am and to love my neighbor as myself, regardless of past betrayals, abuse, sins, or hurts. As defined by systematic theologian Wayne Grudem, "Repentance ... is an intellectual understanding (that sin is death), and emotional approval of the teachings of Scripture regarding sin (a sorrow for sin and hatred of it), and a personal decision to turn from it (a renouncing of sin and a decision of the will to forsake it and lead a life of obedience to Christ instead)." True repentance results in a changed life. In fact, a repentant person will begin at once to live a changed life, and we can call that changed life the fruit of repentance. Thus repentance is something that begins in the heart and involves the whole person resulting in a decision to turn from sin. Participants in our programs have the opportunity to realize that mere sorrow for one's actions or even deep remorse over one's actions does not constitute genuine repentance unless it is accompanied by a sincere decision to forsake the sin. The result of such repentance is a renewal of love, vision, and life. Norman Grubb compares the cases of David and Saul to distinguish true repentance: "Why was David's repentance acceptable to God and yet Saul's for a much less apparently carnal sin of failing to slaughter all the Amalakites, unacceptable? The reason is plain. Both kings, when faced respectively by the accusing finger of the prophets Nathan and Samuel, admitted their guilt before God, and said, "I have sinned (1 Samuel 15:24 & 2 Samuel 12:13) but Saul's repentance was demonstrated to be insincere because he desired that his sin be hidden from the people (1 Samuel 11:30). Whereas the proof of David's utter humility was that he told the whole world in Psalm 51 what a sinner he was and that his only hope was in God's mercy." Our programs are designed to support individuals in distinguishing the difference between Godly sorrow and worldly sorrow. Paul wrote that he rejoiced over the Corinthians, "not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting… for Godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly grief produces death" (2 Corinthians 7:9-10). One of the fundamental purposes of our programs is to open up the reality of repentance as a lifestyle. We believe that it is important to realize that faith and repentance are not confined to the beginning of the Christian life. They are rather attitudes of heart that continue throughout our lives as Christians. Jesus exhorts us to pray to God in Luke 11:4 "Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us." Although it is true that initial saving faith and initial repentance occur only once in our lives, and when they occur they constitute true conversion, nonetheless, the heart attitudes of repentance and faith only begin at conversion. We are called by God to continue these same attitudes throughout the course of our lives. Each day demands heartfelt repentance for sins that we have committed, and faith in Christ to provide for our needs and to empower us to live the Christian life. Forgiveness. Forgiveness is the releasing of a debt that another owes you, freeing you to love others, even if they to do not love you. What binds us to others are the implicit and explicit promises that define our relationships. When those implicit or explicit promises are broken, a debt remains. Whenever we continue to hold that debt to the person's account, we suffer: we live in suspicion that others will hurt and defraud us the same way again. Our lives narrow down; possibilities for life, freedom, and joy are smashed. As we forgive others, we also are forgiven. We are freed to see new possibilities for accomplishing our vision of the future. In forgiveness, we reconnect ourselves to the source of life, the power of love, and hope. Forgiveness frees us from the repetitious cycles of life and allows us to progress further into relationship with God and others. Forgiveness works into our lives the virtue of humility. Sanctification. Sanctification is defined as "a progressive work of God and man that makes us more and more free from sin and like Christ in our actual lives" (Wayne Grudem). Our training seminars provide an opportunity for individuals to further the ongoing sanctification of the individual and the church. Some Christians object to the idea that man has a role in his sanctification. But we believe Scripture is clear that we each have a role in the ongoing sanctifying process of our lives. Sanctification is a joint venture between God and each of us. The roles that God plays and we play in sanctification are by no means equal, yet we cooperate with God in ways that are appropriate to our status as God's creatures. All the moral commands of the New Testament emphasize the role that we play in sanctification. If our will wasn't involved in the process, God would not have needed to command us to act in certain ways. Our role in sanctification is both a passive role in which we depend on God to sanctify us, and an active one in which we strive to obey God and take steps that will further our sanctification. Primarily, our role is passive. We are encouraged to trust God or to pray and ask that he sanctify us. Paul tells us, "Yield yourselves to God as men who have been brought from death to life" (Rom. 6:13), and he says to the Roman Church "present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God" (Romans 12:1). Paul is clear that we depend on the Holy Spirit's work to grow in sanctification, because he says, "If by the spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live" (Romans 8:13). One of the challenges we have experienced in the Church today is the misconception that the passive role in sanctification (the idea of yielding to God and trusting him to work in us) is the only component to sanctification. Many times the idea of our active responsibility in our own sanctification is met with fear and accusation. The popular phrase "let go and let God" is given as a summary of how to live the Christian life. However this is a tragic distortion of the doctrine of sanctification. Our programs teach and train individuals to take responsibility for their role in their own sanctification. Further, they are designed to provide participants with an opportunity to exercise that responsibility. The active role which we are called to play is indicated in Romans 8:13, where Paul writes, "if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." Here Paul acknowledges that it is "by the Spirit" that we are able to do this. But he also says we must do it! The Holy Spirit is not the one commanded to put to death the deeds of the flesh, but Christians! Similarly, Paul tells the Philippians, "Therefore my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:12-13). Paul encourages them to obey even more than they did when he was present, Only through obedience can we "work out" the further realization of the benefits of salvation in our Christian lives. Our MissionThe mission of the Association for Christian Character Development (ACCD) is to support churches and other ministry organizations, as well as seekers of all walks in life to prepare the way in their hearts to live in purpose-driven spiritual community. Through the ACCD's various training and outreach programs, individuals within church communities are prepared to be more effective in living the Christian walk and fulfilling their God-given calling.We are committed to being used by God as a powerful contribution to believers in the area of loving God and others. Further, in preparing the way for purposeful spiritual community, we provide both believers and unbelievers with a tangible experience of the power of the Gospel and the saving grace of Jesus Christ. We have taken the ministry of John the Baptist as our pattern and example. We are a neutral ground where churches of all denominations and seekers of truth from all walks of life can gather and work together on the great commandment to love God with all our hearts, soul, strength and mind and to love our neighbors as ourselves. We envision a church where difference is appreciated and unity results from a commitment to the ministry of reconciliation. As the people of Jesus' day sought John the Baptist in the wilderness, we require participants of our programs to make a pilgrimage too. The experiential learning format involves leaving the known and familiar and venturing into unknown and unexplored areas of life. Participants immerse themselves in our programs and discover the skills, capabilities, and beliefs necessary to accomplish God's calling on their lives. This pilgrimage is designed to support them in reaching for God and one another in new and unaccustomed ways, which in turn open up possibilities for community they previously had not recognized. In the process, participants are challenged to recognize the strongholds in their lives that keep them from loving as God has commanded. Once identified, true repentance is possible. For new believers our vision is to refer them to churches in their area in which they can express their newborn desire to become part of a community of believers. Our Background and FaithThe ACCD was founded 1994 to minister to the church universal through the development of biblically grounded experiential trainings. Through a network of volunteer sponsors, the ACCD produces a variety of trainings, including the Momentus Series (Discovery, Breakthrough, and Pilgrimage, Legacy) and seminars such as One Accord and Gideon's Torch. The ministry is a non-profit, 5Ol(c)(3) California corporation which operates based on the generosity of its supporters and is supervised by a board consisting of nine directors. Operations are managed by the ACCD's founder, Daniel L. Tocchini, who designed the Momentus Series. The ACCD subscribes to the tenets of classical, orthodox Christianity as condensed by the historical church in the Apostle's Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Definition of Chalcedon, and the Athanasian Creed. Rather than restate what councils of theologians have stated more eloquently, we have included these creeds at the bottom of this page. The Momentus SeriesThe ACCD has designed a series of experiential trainings to fulfill our mission. These trainings share a common approach, but have different goals and structures, as described below.Discovery. The Discovery Seminar provides attendees the opportunity to discover and apply the principles that make the Christian life work, not just in theory, but in living day-to-day. Specific principles include: living as powerfully as you know is possible; connecting with others meaningfully; pursuing the vision God has for you; appreciating the unique gift a person is; enjoying trust-filled, honest relationships; and, overcoming limiting fears and beliefs. Breakthrough. The purpose of Breakthrough is to give participants the opportunity to discover and realign the belief systems that govern their lives, such that they experience a transformation in their ability to love others as Christ loves them, liberating their consciences to fulfill God's unique purposes for them with freedom, passion, and power. Within this overreaching purpose, specific objectives include: providing the tools to discern and integrate feedback from others; improving communication skills; overcoming bitterness and other relational blocks and reacting forgiveness; releasing creativity; connecting vitally with what values most; expressing love in a way that it is experienced by others; appreciating differing points of view; and, becoming internally motivated toward their vision in life. Pilgrimage. The purpose of Pilgrimage is to provide an opportunity for a full-time, six-month mission within a framework of biblically grounded vision, communication, and community. What was so attractive about the early church was the good news of salvation, and the experience of community that the believers shared. Pilgrimage is an opportunity for a team to come together for a period of intense learning in communication, community, and outreach followed by a missions trip to support an on-going missionary endeavor either within the United States, or overseas. Legacy. This program is a 3-month service-oriented project is for the employed, who don't have the flexibility for a full six-month sabbatical. Other TrainingsIn addition to the Momentus Series, the ACCD has presents other topical weekends, including a marriage seminar called One Accord and a men's weekend called Gideon's Torch.Our AccountabilityHow is the ACCD accountable for its results? As an organization, the ACCD is accountable to its Board of Directors. The Board of Directors of the ACCD are nine individuals elected for terms of three years. All of the board members are committed to the success of the ministry. In addition to three ACCD trainers, almost all of the remaining board members are sponsors of our trainings. The Board of Directors meets quarterly; individually, the Board Members have input through discussions with Daniel Tocchini, the ACCD's Founder. The board of directors include: Daniel L. Tocchini, Jean-Marie Jobs, Bo Reahard, Kris Kile, Warren Goolsby, Pat Reece, Bob Hall, and Eddy Richey. The ACCD is also spiritually accountable to Santa Rosa Christian Church as the church body that was the original church home for the ministry. As the leader of the ACCD, Dan is accountable to the Board of Directors. The Association for Christian Character Development avers and presents these four classic creeds as a statement of faith:The Apostles' CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Christ Jesus his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of God the Father almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.Nicene CreedWe believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down Thorn heaven: by the power of the Holy Ghost he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.The Athanasian CreedWhosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that behold the Catholic Faith. Which Faith except everyone do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he will perish everlastingly. And the Catholic faith is this: That we worship One God in Trinity and Trinity in Unity, neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Substance. For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son, another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one, the Glory equal, the Majesty co-eternal. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreate, the Son uncreate, and the Holy Spirit uncreate. The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, the Holy Ghost incomprehensible. The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals but one eternal. As also there are not three incomprehensibles, nor three uncreated, but one uncreated, and one incomprehensible. So likewise the Father is Almighty, the Son Almighty, and the Holy Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties but one Almighty. So the Father is God, the Son God, and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods, but one God. So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord, and the Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not three Lords, but one Lord, For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity to acknowledge every Person by himself to be both God and Lord, So are we forbidden by the Catholic Religion, to say, There be three Gods, or three Lords. The Father is made of none, neither created nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone, not made, nor created, but begotten. The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son, neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts. And in this Trinity none is afore, or after other; none is greater, or less than another; But the whole three Persons are co-eternal together and co-equal. So that in all things, as is aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshiped. He therefore that will be saved must thus think of the Trinity. Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation that he also believe rightly the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, For the right Faith is, that we believe and confess, that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man; God, of the Substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds; and Man, of the Substance of his Mother, born in the world; Perfect God and perfect Man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting; Equal to the Father, as touching His Godhead; and inferior to the Father, as touching his Manhood. Who although be God and Man, yet he is not two, hut one Christ; One, not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh, but by taking of the Manhood into God; One altogether; not by confusion of Substance, but by unity of Person. For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man, so God and Man Is one Christ; Who suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, rose again the third day from the dead. He ascended into heaven, he sitteth on the right hand of the Father, God Almighty, from whence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead, At whose coming all men shall rise again with their bodies and shall give account for their own works. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting; and they that have done evil into everlasting fire. This is die Catholic Faith, which except a man believe faithfully, he cannot be saved,Definition of ChalcedonTherefore, following the holy fathers, we all with one accord teach men to acknowledge one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, at once complete in Godhead and complete in manhood, truly God and truly man, consisting also of a reasonable soul and body; of one substance (homoousios) with die Father as regards his Godhead, and at the same time of one substance with us as regards his manhood; like us in all respects, apart from sin; as regards his Godhead, begotten of the Father before the ages, but yet as regards his manhood begotten, for us men and for our salvation, of Mary the Virgin, the God-bearer (Theotokos); one, and the same Christ, Son, Lord, Only-begotten, recognized in two natures, without confusion, without change, without division, without separation; the distinction of natures being in no way annulled by the union, but rather the characteristics of each nature being preserved and coming together to form one person and subsistence, not as parted or separated into two person, hut one and the same Son and Only-begotten God the Word, Lord Jesus Christ; even as the prophets from earliest times spoke of him, and our Lord Jesus Christ himself taught us, and the creed of the Fathers has handed down to us. |