What's Inside
It's April! As nature springs forward, and we turn our attention to Easter, our focus is on trust and accountability. Christ is where we put our trust. CCCC aims to assist our members in ensuring that they are led by his standards, building trust and accountability in their efforts to advance the kingdom.
This month, we are featuring new content in our Knowledge Base that we hope will broaden your understanding while also saving you time on operational tasks via our sample documents. Learn about lobbying and how it can help to achieve your mission and goals. Similarly, read about annual financial audits, which provide a measure of accountability, transparency, and assurance to those you support as well as to those who support you.
We also encourage you to review two articles on accountability. In one article, CCCC's CEO, Rev. John Pellowe speaks to personal accountability, noting that "accountability is a blessing to leaders because it helps them perform well and maintain their ability to lead over the long term." Attaining organizational accountability is also essential to Christian ministries, ensuring that this trait is baked into their culture. Read about how you can develop and evaluate a culture of accountability in a featured article by Wycliffe Bible Translators' CEO, Jon ImBeau and his colleague Ruth Richert, Editorial Manager
Finally, we have several events and webinars lined up for you in April. Have you considered CCCC Accreditation as a means to demonstrate accountability and build trust? To learn more about accreditation, please join our information session on April 29. Our Equipped program also launches this month on the East Coast. Be sure to register for an event near you! Also, don't miss our webinar planned for April 15, focused on Missions Mobilization.
As we celebrate Easter, may the resurrection inspire us to strengthen trust and uphold accountability in our work and our communities.
Rev. John Pellowe, MBA, DMin.
Chief Executive Officer
What a delight it has been to serve Christian ministries since joining CCCC as CEO in 2003. My personal call is to serve Christ’s church, and CCCC is well-suited to help me fulfill that call. I steward both CCCC as an organization and the wonderful people who serve alongside me.
Every day is an opportunity to think about what CCCC can do to help your ministry ever more fully fulfill its purpose. Every day brings reflection to discern what I can do to support CCCC’s health and longevity. Every day, I am blessed as I look for ways to support the CCCC team.
My heart is full of memories of hundreds of people I’ve met who faithfully serve Christ. Circumstances differ. Every “call to ministry” story is unique. You tell me about God’s faithfulness, presence, and love. You make my work meaningful. You encourage me. You inspire me. Thank you.
Lobbying and Auditing
This month, we have refreshed two topic handbooks in our Knowledge Base. If you are new to the topic of lobbying and public policy dialogue, see the links in the Lobbying & PPDDA category. Charities should be informed about lobbying because it can significantly affect their ability to achieve their mission and goals. Learn more in the topic handbook links provided.
We are also pleased to have updated information focused on charity audits. Audits are a key part of any Canadian charity’s risk management program. An annual audit provides valuable accountability, transparency, and assurance. An annual audit provides regular, important feedback to the charity’s management, board, members, donors, and other interested parties. Learn more here.
Finally, further to last month's notice about Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation, we have also published a CASL compliance flow chart to provide additional guidance for your ministry's communications.
New and updated sample documents to save you time!
We have published several new and updated sample documents over the past month, addressing various operational topics. These documents are available in our Knowledge Base exclusively to our members. Find policy templates, sample worksheets, and key forms to download. These documents should spark discussions among your teams and, ideally, save you time. Check out the sample document menu for these updated resources in the Audits, Internal Controls, and Board Evaluation categories. One particular highlight is a Sample Financial Policies and Procedures Manual in the Internal Controls category.
Accountability: Trust but Verify
Trust is eroding in society. Confidence in institutions and even in our neighbours is declining. As Christians, our faith is centred on trusting God. This gives us an opportunity to be countercultural by modelling trust in our communities. Trust is built on a willingness to be accountable. In the article Accountability: Trust but Verify, Rev. John Pellowe, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Centre for Christian Charities, explains how accountability is the first step to building trust.
Organizational Accountability
Jon ImBeau, President of Wycliffe Bible Translators, and Ruth Richert, its Editorial Manager, offer practical guidance for leaders seeking to build a culture of accountability that supports long-term organizational flourishing. In the article “Organizational Accountability,” they explain why accountability is essential for Christian organizations and outline the systems and structures needed to promote transparency and sustain it.
Read more
CCCC Accreditation - Fostering Trust and Accountability
CCCC Accreditation is more than a logo; it's a commitment to integrity, accountability, and excellence in Christian ministry. Accredited charities demonstrate the highest financial stewardship, governance, and donor trust standards.
By becoming accredited, your ministry strengthens its reputation, builds donor confidence, and gains access to exclusive resources designed to support your mission.
Join our growing network of organizations that are demonstrating accountability, leading with integrity, and making a lasting impact. Discover how CCCC Accreditation can help your ministry thrive at our next information session on April 29.
Read more
CCCC's Intervention in MAID
CCCC is an intervenor in a landmark case about whether religious healthcare organizations can decline to provide medical assistance in dying (MAID). Closing arguments are scheduled for the week of April 13, 2026. CCCC’s intervention will focus on the protection of collective conscience rights of organizations and the need to respect charity law.
Beyond this case, CCCC continues to advocate against expanding MAID in Canada. March 17, 2027 marks one year until MAID is set to be eligible to people whose sole underlying medical condition is mental illness (MAID MD-SUMC). Research and international concern exist about this change, including the need to better address social factors that affect health. Deina Warren, CCCC Director of Legal Affairs, recently joined the 100 Huntley St team to take an in-depth look at some of these concerns and how Christians can take action.
CCCC is encouraged by Bill C-218, a private member’s bill that would amend the Criminal Code to clearly exclude a mental disorder from a “grievous and irremediable medical condition” and prohibit the expansion of MAID MD-SUMC.
Bill 9 – Quebec: Impact on Canadian Christian Charities
Quebec Bill 9, An Act respecting the reinforcement of laicity in Quebec, 2nd Sess, 43rd Leg, 2025 (Bill 9) is being reviewed in the Assemblée Nationale du Québec. The purpose of Bill 9 is to reinforce secularism, or “laicity”, in places of authority in Quebec, including daycares, post-secondary institutions, and public spaces.
Bill 9 would expand on Quebec’s ban on religious symbols by prohibiting all religious practice in select locations, limiting private educational institutions from providing religious instruction, and outlining requirements for requesting religious exemptions. If affected entities do not comply with the legislation, penalties include revocation or denial of accreditation and funding for private educational institutions.
The Committee on Citizen Relations last met on February 26, 2026, to discuss Bill 9. CCCC has described some of the concerns about Bill 9’s impact on religious freedom in Quebec and possibly across Canada. CCCC is joined by associations and advocacy groups that have also expressed concerns about how Bill 9, as currently written, would be applied if it became law.
Quick Picks
CCCC staff are constantly reading news, reports, and other resources to stay on top of developments in the charitable sector. We think you'll find these picks helpful!
- Key Employment Law Updates and Trends for Canadian Workplaces
- Ontario Information and Privacy Commissioner and Human Rights Commission Release "Principles for the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence"
- The Open Generation | Barna Study via EMCC
Events
Missions Mobilization for Churches Webinar
April 15, 2026 | 2:00 pm EDT
Churches play a foundational role in raising and sending missionaries, but many often wonder where to begin or how to refresh their approach, especially for those coming out of a season of pause.
We are pleased to invite you to Missions Mobilization for Churches, a practical panel discussion designed for pastors, missions' committees, and church leaders seeking clear direction and next steps.
The session will feature leaders from AIM International, Pioneers Canada, and SIM Canada. Together, we will explore how churches can effectively mobilize people for missions - from short-term engagement to long-term service.
NOTE: If you are looking at this page after April 15, please go to our Store (members have free access) to find the post-webinar recording or see The Green® webinar chats to ask questions.
Other Notable Upcoming Events
Accreditation Information Session | April 29, 2026, 2:00 pm EDT (Webinar) - Christian ministries strive to operate with accountability and integrity. Doing so is fundamental, not just for the smooth conduct of your internal operations. Still, it also sends a resounding message to the broader community and donors that your ministry is trustworthy.
CCCC Accreditation will assist your ministry with demonstrating your commitment to high standards of integrity and accountability.
To find out more about the process of becoming accredited by CCCC, join us for a one-hour information session, held in webinar format, on April 29 at 2pm EDT.
Curtis Towns, Head of Finance and Accreditation will discuss the accreditation process, its intrinsic value for your ministry, and its positive signal to donors, board members, and stakeholders. Register here.
Next Equipped Leg | April 23-24, 2026 (In Person Event) - Gather with Christian charity leaders and pastors for a day of learning, insights and connection at Equipped by CCCC. Our next two events are in Moncton, NB and Lower Sackville, NS on April 23 & 24, followed soon after by events in Western Canada in early May. Learn from the CCCC team and from other ministries through a mix of keynote presentations, table discussions, and breakout sessions. Registration includes the full-day event, lunch, and refreshments. Ministry workers from organizations that are not currently CCCC members will receive a non-member rate. Registrations are non-refundable but are transferable up to one week prior to the event. Each attendee must complete a separate registration. Registration closes one week prior to the event date.
Accredited Member News
By demonstrating commitment to integrity, accountability, and transparency through compliance with the CCCC Standards of Accountability, Inspire Christian Media Ministries Inc. has earned CCCC Accreditation.
- Inspire Christian Media Ministries Inc. provides inspiring, educational, and enriching Bible teaching programs, contemporary Christian music, along with family friendly programming that reflect Christian values.
Congratulations to the Accredited Members listed below who recently participated in a scheduled accreditation review and demonstrated their ongoing commitment to CCCC Accreditation standards. We are proud to have you as part of our Accredited Member community! To find out more about CCCC Accreditation and our Accredited members, visit giveconfidently.ca.
- Canadian Bible Society – The Canadian Bible Society (CBS) is translating and distributing Bibles worldwide so people can engage with the Scriptures in their heart language. In Canada, CBS is helping individuals and communities engage with the Bible because when they do, lives can change – for good.
- Partners International - Partners International Canada partners with local leaders in challenging places worldwide to build the church and transform communities in the name of Jesus. Since 1963, areas of the world have been reached through the holistic power of the gospel.
- Souls Harbour Rescue Mission (Regina) – Souls Harbour Rescue Mission (Regina) is committed to rescuing people from poverty and addiction by offering the Gospel message through emergency help, such as food, clothing, and shelter, and Life-Changing Recovery Programs.
For more information see CCCC Accreditation, Accredited Members, and/or visit giveconfidently.ca.
Quarterly Activity Reports for Board Review
Over the last several weeks, Green® Base Camp members have been discussing the use of templates to capture key performance indicators (KPIs) for their board and leadership teams. Do you have advice and/or a template to share with fellow Christian ministry leaders across the country? Come join the conversation!
Read moreCCCC Webinar Chats
Do you have questions following a CCCC webinar? See "webinar chats" on the Green® Base Camp to speak with CCCC staff and other Christian ministry leaders to ask your questions and expand your knowledge.
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Services
A Pro When You Need One
The professionals listed in our Professional Associates Directory provide services to charities and practice in four general areas: law, accounting, insurance, and consulting.
CCCC Benediction
James Metcalf, Chief Operating Officer
May the risen Christ, who proved himself faithful even unto the cross, strengthen you to lead with integrity, courage, and unwavering trust in God. As you steward the ministries entrusted to you, may your work reflect the beauty of Christlike accountability—marked by humility, transparency, and a heart that seeks the good of others. And may the hope of Easter renew your strength, so that through your faithful service many will see both the faithfulness of God and the living truth of our risen Christ.
Contact Details
Canadian Centre for Christian Charities
PO Box 335 STN Waterloo
Waterloo, ON N2J 4A4
(519) 669-5137
