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
A revised Policies and Procedures Manual was adopted on 16 June 2022. The Manual is a more detailed document that gets its authority from the CABF By-Laws (see above). To see a copy of the presently in force Policy and Procedures Manual, click the following link Policy and Procedures Manual.
2024 Proposed Amendments to the Policy and Procedures Manual
Over the past year several sections of the Policy and Procedures Manual have been updated, with each amendment needing to be approved by CABF Council before being brought to a Meeting of Members for ratification.
At the CABF Council Meeting on September 11, 2024, two changes to the CABF Policy and Procedures Manual were adopted.
The first is involves additons to the Policy on Credentials Committee, as developed by that 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 revised text is highlighted on pages 31 to 46 of the updated document (see link below).
The second is a response to enquiries for an interpretation of determining Quorum for Members Meetings. 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 with text that is highlighted on pages 54 and 55 of the updated document (see link below).
It is proposed that these two changes be ratified by the Members at the Annual Meeting on September 24, 2024.
In addition to the above two items, a reworking of the Terms of Reference for the Website Committee, as developed by the late Rev. John Boyd, that was previously adopted by Council at its May 8, 2024 Meeting, will be taken to the AGM for ratification. It is found on pages 20-22 of the updated document (see link below).
A copy of the updated Policy and Procedures Manual with the changes highlighted 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. It is included on pages 31 to 46 of the Policy and Procedures Manual. Click the following link 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 further changes to the Credentials Policy have been aproved by CABC Council, which will creat a new category of accreditation to allow a local church to request recognition of a Local Church Minister. These amendments will be taken to the Meeting of Members on September 24, 2024 for ratification. See the article immediately above, 2024 Proposed Amendments to the Policy and Procedures Manual, for details.
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
Strategic Framework adopted on 5 October 2019.