CFC governance and pastoral care

Disciplinary Policy

Accountability with fairness, care and a path toward restoration—from the highest leadership office to every member of the CFC family.

01 / Purpose

Correct with truth. Restore with love.

CFC discipline protects people, preserves sound teaching and integrity, and seeks repentance, reconciliation and spiritual growth. It must be exercised without favouritism or retaliation, with prayer and appropriate pastoral care. Matthew 18:15–17, Galatians 6:1, 1 Timothy 5:19–20 and 2 Timothy 2:15 guide this work.

This page sets out an operational procedure under the CFC Constitution (2022). If its wording conflicts with the constitution or applicable law, the constitution and law govern. Changes to church policy follow the constitution’s conference and National Executive review processes.

02 / Accountability

Leadership first, then every ministry and member.

Founders, apostles and national office bearers

Concerns about those who lead the movement go to the Board of Elders/National Executive. Anyone personally involved must step aside from deciding the matter; uninvolved office bearers arrange an impartial review and, where necessary, independent professional help.

Regional leaders, senior pastors and branch pastors

Matters begin with appropriate regional or national oversight. A concern about a pastor must not be decided by that pastor alone. The National Executive/Board of Elders oversees serious cases and any decision affecting ministerial office.

Elders, deacons and ministry leaders

The relevant pastor and uninvolved elders address concerns, escalating to the Board of Elders/National Executive when an office, safeguarding issue, serious misconduct or unresolved dispute is involved.

Volunteers and members

Local leadership normally starts with pastoral conversation and the biblical steps of private correction. Unresolved matters go to the national structure. The Board of Elders/National Executive retains constitutional authority to discipline or dismiss members.

03 / Standards

What may require action.

Concerns may involve conduct contrary to CFC’s values of holiness, integrity, love and respect; abuse or harassment; exploitation of vulnerable people; misuse of church funds or property; serious dishonesty; divisive conduct; persistent refusal to follow reasonable church direction; or teaching that conflicts with CFC’s biblical commitments. A disagreement, complaint or request for help is not itself misconduct.

Leaders carry heightened responsibility because they teach, supervise, hold trust and may control resources. The response must reflect the facts, the seriousness of harm, any pattern of behaviour and the safety of those affected.

04 / Procedure

A clear and fair path.

Receive and protect. A concern may be brought to a pastor, elder, regional leader or CFC Administration. Record it discreetly, check immediate safety and refer it away from anyone implicated.
Assess and refer. The appropriate uninvolved leaders decide whether pastoral conversation, formal inquiry or urgent protective measures are needed. Allegations involving children, violence, sexual harm or suspected crime are referred to appropriate authorities; church action must not obstruct them.
Hear all sides. Tell the person concerned the substance of the allegation, provide a fair opportunity to respond, consider relevant information and keep a written record. Do not presume guilt. A person reporting harm should not be forced into a private confrontation with the person complained about.
Decide and communicate. The authorised body makes a proportionate decision, records reasons, communicates the outcome privately to those who need to know and explains the route for review.
Review and follow up. A person affected may request a review by an uninvolved higher structure, ordinarily the National Executive/Board of Elders, on grounds such as new evidence, procedural unfairness or a disproportionate outcome. The church then monitors any care or restoration plan.

05 / Response

Proportionate action and restoration.

Depending on the finding, action may include no disciplinary finding, pastoral counsel, reconciliation, a written warning, training, supervised ministry, temporary removal from duties, suspension, removal from office or membership discipline. Protective suspension is a temporary safety measure, not a finding of guilt. The constitution permits an elder or deacon to be divested of office through church discipline or a two-thirds congregational vote; it also sets a separate congregational process for dissolving a pastor’s ministerial relationship.

A restoration plan can include repentance, restitution where appropriate, counselling, accountability and a later review of fitness to serve. Restoration to fellowship does not automatically restore an office or access to vulnerable people. The Board of Elders/National Executive decides membership discipline within its constitutional authority.

06 / Protection

Confidentiality, records and help.

Share personal details only with those who must assess, decide, support or report a matter. Keep records securely through the church administration and protect people from intimidation or retaliation. Where a conflict of interest exists, the person involved must not investigate or vote. CFC’s constitution allows professional and legal help when needed.

For a concern or request for pastoral guidance, contact CFC Administration. In immediate danger, contact the appropriate emergency service or police first.

07 / Source

Constitutional authority.

This procedure draws on the CFC Constitution’s sections on Membership (5), Elders and Deacons (6), Pastor (7), Board of Elders/National Executive (8), Church Records (11), Relational Commitments (12), Church Discipline (13) and Amendment of Bylaws (16), plus its movement organogram and conference provisions. The constitution states that church discipline is carried out according to the CFC Constitution; this page supplies practical steps where that clause does not prescribe them in detail.

Ask CFC Administration for the governing constitution.