Licensing Covenant
To: Credentialed Ministers of the BC Conference of MB Churches
The Pastoral Ministries Committee, together with the Conference Ministers, has been given the responsibility of exercising ‘theological watchcare’ for the BC Conference of MB Churches. Part of this task has been done by examining people before they are credentialed. For many of us years, or even decades, have passed since we were examined. For the Pastoral Ministries Committee to perform its duties with due diligence we believe we need to do more than simply assume that all credentialed pastors still affirm our Confession of Faith and are committed to the BC Conference of MB Churches. It would be a prohibitive task to re-interview all of our pastors on a regular basis. We want to make this a simple process that will not be burdensome to our pastors and other leaders while still permitting the Committee to fulfill its responsibilities to our Conference.
Before we credentialed you as a Mennonite Brethren Minister we asked you respond to the following four items that were part of your credentialing questionnaire:
Mennonite Brethren Conference Covenant
- I will seek to live in mutuality and harmony with fellow workers in the Conference and at all times seek to maintain a high standard of ethics in these relationships.
- I will actively seek to support and promote the programs and ministries of the Mennonite Brethren Conference?
- I am willing to participate in the Provincial Conference programs and be accountable to the Pastoral Ministries Committee?
- I wholeheartedly subscribe to the Mennonite Brethren Confession of Faith in all its aspects?
We will be asking all persons credentialed as ministers of the BC Conference of MB Churches to confirm every three years that they still hold to these four affirmations. To keep the process as simple as possible we will accept a statement by email (or by letter) that says, “I, {full name}, affirm the four statements of the Mennonite Brethren Conference Covenant.”
Please help us to keep our records up to date by including the following information:
- Full name:
- Address:
- Telephone contact number(s):
- Email address:
- Home Church Ministry position (e.g. Pastor of Adult Ministries, retired pastor, Professor of Biblical Theology at MBBS, etc.):
Thank you for taking the time to help us with this essential affirmation. We want to be able to assure the members of our churches that the people whom we credential to be ministers in our Conference uphold our Confession of Faith and are supportive of the ministry of the BC Conference of MB Churches. Upon receipt of your response we will forward your name to the BC Government to continue your license to perform marriages and we will send you your new clergy card. I pray that you will experience much joy and fruitfulness as you continue to serve our Lord. “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Cor. 15:58 NIV).
Blessings,
Steve Berg
Conference Minister
BC Conference of MB Churches