Faith Community Advisory Council

The Faith Community Advisory Council, a part of the Montgomery County Office of Community Partnerships, ensures that the county executive is well informed of and able to act effectively in responding to the needs and concerns of faith communities, and to work collaboratively with government, nonprofits, and community organizations in creating a just, healthy, and—in words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—Beloved Community. FCAC achieves this mission through its working groups, which are currently:

The Religious Land Use Working Group
The Faith Community Working Group, and
The Neighbors in Need Working Group

Membership
The members of the Faith Community Advisory Council and its executive committee, working groups, and committees are comprised, as much as possible, of the full spectrum of faith communities. This includes clergy and governing leadership of faith communities, as well as religiously based nonprofit organizations. Since the FCAC works directly with the community on a variety of tasks, it is necessary that members possess the needed expertise to execute the tasks. Due to need for expert opinion across a range of topics and issues of concern to faith communities, the county’s prohibition against serving on more than one county board, committee, or commission does not apply to FCAC members.

It is the responsibility of FCAC to advise the county executive on the needs and concerns of faith communities that worship and serve others in Montgomery County, including on land use issues, policy initiatives, budget priorities, response to emergencies and acts of hate and violence, intervention and prevention of violence, integration of immigrants, healthcare for all, and other partnership opportunities. FCAC works to identify all faith communities worshiping and serving others in Montgomery County to establish effective communication and encourage collaboration among themselves, government offices, and human service agencies for the benefit of all.