Objectives and History

Objectives

The ABF is not an executive body making policy, carrying out programs, or advocating positions. It is a welcoming fellowship with the following objectives:

(From the proposed revised constitution.)

1. To witness to the freedom implicit in the voluntary principle in religion, which is the essence of the traditional Baptist position;
2. To affirm and celebrate Baptist participation in, and witness to, the whole visible, catholic and evangelical church of Jesus Christ;
3. To promote peace and understanding amongst people of all faiths;
4. To provide a forum for the discussion of doctrinal and ethical questions, and social issues and policies in that spirit of tolerance and mutual respect, which issues from Christian love;
5. To bear witness to these objectives with and among Baptists in Atlantic Canada, as well as nationally and internationally;
6. To provide accreditation for clergy and chaplains;
7. To associate and co-operate with other like-minded organizations, such as the Atlantic Ecumenical Council, The Canadian Council of Churches, The Gathering of Baptists, and the Alliance of Baptists;
8. To acquire by way of grant, gift, purchase, bequest, devise or otherwise, real and personal property and to use and apply such property to the realization of the objectives of the Society;
9. To buy, own, hold, lease, mortgage, sell and convey such real and personal property as may be necessary or desirable in the carrying out of the objectives of the Society.

Activities

In pursuit of its objectives, the ABF

• publishes the ABF Bulletin three times a year;
• meets semiannually for worship, fellowship, and study of an issue of contemporary interest;
  • Past Assembly Topics
  • Upcoming Assembly information
• sponsors the Vincent Rushton Luncheon and Lecture each spring;
  • Past Rushton Lecture Topics
  • Upcoming Rushton Lecture Information
• maintains a website (under re-construction).

History

The Atlantic Baptist Fellowship was formed in 1971 by Baptist lay people and ministers who wanted to witness to historical Baptist principles and to be involved with non-Baptist communions in joint worship, social action and ecumenical discussions of the nature of the Church.

They wished to create a safe and welcoming environment in which Baptists could share all concerns and points of view with out fear of being marginalized.

Past ABF Presidents

1971 – Kendall Kenny	1988 – Rev. Roger Prentice
1972 – Jack Matthews	1990 – Rev. Byron Corkum
1974 – Ed Colquhoun	1992 – Ed Colquhoun
1976 – Dr. R.S. Dunn	1994 – Elaine Anne MacGregor
1978 – Rev. Vince Rushton	1998 – Paul Burden
1979 – Rev. Willis Henderson	2000 – Rev. John Boyd
1980 – Rev. Don Jackson	2005 – Rev. Andy Crowell
1981 – Rev. John Boyd	2009 – Rev. David Ogilvie
1982 – Rev. Gordon Gower	2010 – Rev. Jeff White
1984 – Rev. Robert Matthews	2012 - Rev. Dr. Daniel Gibson
1986 – Gwendolyn Atherton