The Canadian Association for Baptist Freedoms has established an on-going Credentials Committee consisting of a Chair and five members. The Committee is the first official contact for a candidate requesting accreditation or seeking ordination through the CABF.
This Committee is a nurturing one, assisting candidates for ordination in meeting the standards desired within the CABF as stated in its adopted policies. It advises the CABF Council of any application for ordination and the need for an Ordination Council.
The Credentials Committee receives and acts on requests for accreditation from previously ordained clergy. In cases of clergy misconduct, the Committee can take various disciplinary actions, up to and including revocation of accreditation.
The Credentials Committee acts on behalf of the CABF in recommending accredited clergy to jursidiction of residence for inclusion on the Civil Registry of clergy authorized to perform marriages.
The Chair of the Credentials Committee is Rev. Dr. Rusty Edwards and he can be contacted here:
1300 Oxford Street, Halifax, NS B3H 3Y8
Email: Credentials Chair
New Catgegory of Pastoral Accreditation
At the AGM held on September 24, 2024, the members ratified changes to the Policy on Credentials Committee which had been recommended by the Credentials Committee and approved by the CABF Council.
These changes have established a new category of accreditation to allow a local church to request recognition of a Local Church Minister. In some cases, a local church may not have a minister who meets the requirements for licensing or ordination. However, they have been called to ministry by the congregation and the congregation may wish to have this person recognized as a Local Church Minister. This would be particularly the case for part-time and multi-vocational ministers whether in a solitary ministry in a small church or those taking a specific ministry roll in a larger church.
Unlike applications for Licensing and Ordination, which are initiated by the candidate, applications for recognition of Local Church Ministers are made by the congregation and remain valid only while the minister is exercising that role with that particular congregation.
The revised text may be found on page 39 of the updated Policy and & Procedures Manual. It is available here.