Credentialing in MCEC

Three types of credentials are granted within Mennonite Church: Licensing Toward Ordination, Ordination and Licensing for Specific Ministry. A minister who is ordained in the Mennonite Church can have their credential transferred. The receiving regional church will request the transfer of their ordination credential.

Please contact your Regional Minister or Leadership Minister to begin a conversation about credentialing within MCEC.

Licensing Toward Ordination

This credential is generally issued for a minimum two‑year period as an opportunity to explore and confirm both the inner and outer call to ministry. During this stage, individuals engage in deeper discernment of their pastoral gifts, abilities, and aptitude for long‑term ministry. While this process may lead to ordination, it also provides space to determine whether continued ministry is the right pathway.

This credential also serves as an initial step for individuals connected with Provisional Membership Congregations, offering a recognized starting point for ministry involvement, leadership development and spiritual growth within the MCEC church community.

The credential concludes when an individual is ordained or when they are no longer serving in their current ministry assignment.

Ordination 

Ordination is a collaborative act of the congregation, the regional church and the denomination. Together, they recognize, call, and appoint an individual to ongoing leadership within the life and mission of the church. This act affirms a person’s readiness and commitment to serve in pastoral and spiritual leadership on a continuing basis.

The ordination service typically includes a covenant between the church and the person being ordained, the laying on of hands and a prayer of blessing that formally affirms their ministry calling.

This credential is normally connected with Full Membership Congregations, where the individual’s gifts and leadership have been recognized, nurtured and affirmed as part of their continued ministry journey.

Licensing for Specific Ministry 

This credential is designed for ministry roles that are time‑specific, location‑specific or focused on a particular leadership assignment within the church. It is intended for individuals who do not sense a personal call to ordained ministry but are gifted and affirmed for meaningful leadership within the congregation or in specialized ministry settings.

This credential does not typically lead toward ordination; instead, it supports individuals serving in defined ministry roles such as congregational leadership, church planting, chaplaincy or regional church and nationwide church ministries.

The credential remains active as long as the individual continues to serve in the assigned leadership‑ministry role within the congregation or in another approved ministry context.

Beginning the Process

A call to ministry involves both an inner sense of God’s leading and the affirmation of the wider church community. Discernment is the shared work of individuals, congregations and denominational leaders, seeking clarity about a person’s gifts, character and readiness for pastoral leadership. The Ministerial Leadership Information (MLI) process supports this discernment by gathering consistent, confidential information that helps congregations and church bodies understand a candidate’s preparedness for ministry.

The MLI form is a confidential personnel document used by Mennonite Church Canada and Mennonite Church USA. It contains relevant background and résumé material submitted by individuals exploring ministry roles or credentialing pathways. Completed MLI documents are shared only with MC USA conference offices or MC Canada regional church offices for use in pastoral search processes or credential reviews.

A finalized MLI file typically includes:

  • the completed MLI form submitted by the prospective pastor
  • summarized feedback from the four references listed in the form
  • a current, clear background report

To begin the MLI process for a ministry assignment or credential consideration, individuals are encouraged to contact the Leadership Minister, who will guide them through the next steps of discernment and documentation.

Policies

A number of key documents are available to support you in your discernment process. These resources offer guidance, clarity, and context as you consider next steps in ministry. In particular, please review the Guiding Ministerial Leadership in Mennonite Church Canada document, MCEC’s credentialing policy, as well as other related materials. Together, these documents provide a helpful framework for understanding expectations, responsibilities, and pathways within ministerial leadership.
 

Policies and Guiding Documents

Contact

Marilyn Rudy-Froese
Leadership Minister

Marilyn, along with Fanosie, leads the Congregational Ministries Team. She nurtures congregational leaders and pastors, walking alongside congregations through seasons of growth, transition and renewal.

Phone: 226-476-2500
Toll Free: 855-476-2500
Extension: 704

Contact Marilyn

Yoel Masyawong
Regional Minister
Ontario East

Yoel is a member of the CMT, supporting pastors and congregational leaders across MCEC in church leadership, resourcing, intercultural competency and church planting.

Phone: 226-476-2500
Toll Free: 855-476-2500
Extension: 716

Contact Yoel

Jean Claude Nkundwa
Regional Minister
Ottawa and Quebec

Jean Claude is a member of the CMT, supporting pastors and congregational leaders across MCEC in church leadership, resourcing, intercultural competency and church planting.

Phone: 226-476-2500
Toll Free: 855-476-2500
Extension: 719

Contact Jean Claude

Cathrin van Sintern-Dick
Regional Minister
Ontario West

Cathrin is a member of the CMT, supporting pastors and congregational leaders across MCEC in church leadership, resourcing, intercultural competency and church planting.

Toll Free: 855-476-2500
Extension: 718

Contact Cathrin