Spiritual Health And Theology

Faith (Credentialing)

We require that all pastoral staff in Alberta Mennonite Brethren churches complete the credentialing process within one year of beginning their ministry in an MB Church. The timing of the interview varies from one congregation to the next: some congregations prefer the credentialing process be completed as part of the hiring process itself; others encourage staff to initiate the process as soon as possible after hiring. In some instances, individuals seeking employment in a Mennonite Brethren church seek approval prior to candidating in a congregation. The typical steps to follow are outlined below.
Please note the following details carefully!

A. Because of the length of these documents, it could take a few months to complete them, and book you in an interview. If you are planning to follow through with this process, please let us know as soon as you begin your work so you can be put on the waiting list for interviews.

B. Contact the office if you have any questions.
1. Download the 3 credentialing forms (links at the bottom of this page). They are in Microsoft Word format so you may complete them on your computer and send them back via email to the ABMB Office.

2. Let us know you have downloaded the forms and would like to be on the list for interview notification.

All documentation must be submitted to the Conference office in full one month before the proposed interview date in order to confirm the appointment.  Please note that inclusion is on a first-come first-served basis.  Once all documents have been received and processed, we will confirm the exact time and place of the interview with you. 

3. Attend the interview on time. Please note that, if applicable, your spouse and senior pastor are required to attend the interview with you. Each interview is about 1 1/2 hours.

4. Once your interview is completed, based on the recommendation of the ABMB Faith Team, you will be credentialed with the Alberta Conference of MB Churches, and licensed with the Government of Alberta. This license will give you the authority to marry within Alberta only, and you will be considered a member of the clergy.

If your congregation is interested in going one step further and would like to recommend you for ordination, the moderator will need to send a letter to the Alberta Conference of MB Churches requesting your ordination. This request will be considered and your file will be reviewed. Further instructions will be given.

Ordination is the recognition of the calling and gifting of an individual, by a local ABMB church congregation and the conference, for vocational pastoral ministry in Alberta.

Temporary licenses will be issued to applicants requesting such, under the following conditions:

  1. They are a credentialed MB pastor from another province (or state)
  2. If not credentialed in another province (or state), the following will be required in order to have a request considered (The Faith and Life Team will make these decisions at their discretion):
  • A letter of recommendation from the applicant’s home church leadership body or lead pastor requesting temporary licensing for the applicant.
  • The Completion of Temporary License Questionnaire.

The following process outlines the steps involved for any church that wishes to join the ABMB Conference:

  • The Church will be invited to participate in conference activities and events for a period of one year
  • Before a local church can submit an application for membership in the Conference, it must formally accept and incorporate into its bylaws the Confession of Faith and the Bylaws of the Conference.
  • Upon receipt of a petition for membership, the Executive Board of the Conference (“Executive Board”) shall direct the Faith and Life Team, or authorized representatives of the same, to consult with the applicant group regarding its faith position, organization, and other such matters as it may deem necessary.
  • The Faith and Life Team shall bring a recommendation concerning the membership application to the Executive Board for presentation at the next convention of the Conference.

Each member church shall give moral and material support to the projects and activities of the Alberta Conference and the Canadian Conference. Each member church is expected to:

  • Teach and uphold the Confession of Faith of the Alberta Conference.
  • Forward statistical and financial information to the Conference upon request to facilitate the business of the Conference.
  • Refer potential pastoral candidates to the Conference for a credentialing assessment prior to being hired.