Council Approves Special Project to Update the CABF Governance Structure
With the rapid expansion of the CABF in recent years, both with respect to the number and geographic distribution of individual members and member churches and the increase in the number of activities, such as the Cross Canada Conferences and contacts with other like-minded organizations within Canada and internationally, the time has come to review the Association's amended By-Law #2 to identify places where it can be updated and meet evolving needs.
At its November 13, 2024 meeting, Council unanimously approved the following motion: "That the Consititution and Governance Committee be given a mandate to do a thorough review of the needs of the CABF organizations with regard to structure and governance and any necessary changes to the By-Laws, to position us to move forward as a national organization."
A copy of a document providing background and introduction to the Special Project is available here.
Council will meet once each month to review progress with the Special Project Team and review options for potential strategies for each area where improvement is desired. When completed, this work will come to a Meeting of Members for discussion and vote on a Special Resolution to amend By-Law #2 and make changes to the Policy and Procedures Manual.
Initial work will attempt to identify issues and opportunities for improving our processes. We are looking for as broad input as possible and would welcome written submissions. We are also happy to speak with you, if you would like a personal interview or to participate in a small focus group. In any case, please contact the Special Project Team by using the Contact Us button for Constitution Chair at the right of this page or sending an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We look forward to your input!
CABF Constitution
Our Constitution is comprised of two documents: the Memorandum of Association and the By-Laws.
Memorandum of Association
At a Special Meeting of the CABF Membership held on June 16, 2022, a revised Memorandum of Association was adopted which came into effect on July 11, 2022 when it was approved by the NS Registry of Joint Stock Companies. You can view the approved Memorandum of Association here.
By-Laws
At a Special Meeting of the CABF Membership held on June 16, 2022, amendments to Sections 54-59 of By-Law #2 were passed. The Registrar of the NS Registry of Joint Stock Companies approved of these amendments on July 15, 2022. You can view an Office Consolidation of the revised By-Law #2 here.
Policy and Procedures Manual
The Policy and Procedures Manual is a more detailed document that gets its authority from the CABF By-Law #2 (see above).
Over the past year several sections of the Policy and Procedures Manual have been updated, with each amendment being approved by CABF Council. These changes were ratified by the Members at the Annual General Meeting held on Septemer 24, 2024.
The most significant change involves additions to the Policy on Credentials Committee to include 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 Policy on Credentials Committee, which includes this revised text is found on pages 31 to 46 of the updated P&P Manual (see link below).
The Terms of Reference for the Website Committee were also updated, with the revised text found on pages 20-22 of the updated document (see link below).
Finally, in response to enquiries for an interpretation of determining Quorum for Members Meetings, text was developed. This will increase transparency and allow for a consistent approach going forward. It is found at the end of the section on the Constitution and Governance Committee on pages 54 and 55 of the updated document (see link below).
A copy of the Office Consolidation of the Policy and Procedures Manual (as of September 24, 2024) which includes the above changes is available here.
CABF Credentials Policy
At a Special Meeting of the CABF Membership held on June 16, 2022, a revised Credentials Policy was adopted and ws included in the Policy and Procedures Manual.
This policy enables the granting of CABF Association licenses and the establishment of ordination councils. It also provides the procedure through which clergy accredited by other religious bodies acceptable to the CABF may be granted accreditation by the CABF, and the conditions under which authorization to perform marriages may be sought.
Please note that at the Annual General Meeting held on September 24, 2024, the action of CABF Council to approve further changes to the Credentials Policy were ratified by the membership. These changes will creat a new category of accreditation to allow a local church to request recognition of a Local Church Minister.
To view a copy of the updated Policy on Credentials Committee on pages 31 to 46 of the Office Consolidation of the Policy and Procedures Manual, click the following link Policy and Procedures Manual.
Click here for an Application Form for those seeking accreditation with the CABF. Click here for an Application Form for those seeking accreditation prior to upcoming ordination in a CABF Church. (These forms are out of date. Please contact the Credenitals Committee for current forms.)
Strategic Framework
Click here for a copy of the Strategic Framework which was adopted on 5 October 2019.