June 19th MCM Moderator Reflects on Her Ordination Journey
Cheryl Braun has only been a pastor for a few years, but in many ways she has been pastoring for decades.
Cheryl has been serving as pastor of Glenlea Mennonite Church since 2017 and as moderator of Mennonite Church Manitoba since March of this year. Prior to her call to pastoral ministry she served as teacher and administrator with the Mennonite Collegiate Institute in Gretna for 23 years.
“It was when I was able to provide a grounded, steady, pastoral presence in challenging times in the lives of students, staff, or the school itself, that I felt most like myself,” Cheryl says. “I have come to see that I was pastoring long before I ever officially donned that particular hat.”
Conversations about ordination began near the end of her first year at Glenlea, but they became more intentional about a year ago. The congregation initiated the ordination process, which involves extensive guided personal reflection and an interview with members of MCM’s Ministerial Leadership Committee.
“For both myself and the congregation, ordination is an affirmation,” Cheryl says. “For the congregation it is an affirmation of their invitation to me to come and be their pastor, to walk alongside them in their journey of faith. For myself, it is an affirmation of a growing understanding of who I am and what work is mine to do.”
Credentialing of spiritual leaders is an important aspect of our shared work as a regional church, says Co-Director of Leadership Ministries Jeff Friesen. “By credentialing and ordaining its pastors and spiritual leaders the church publicly acknowledges and affirms the gift of ministry in particular people, incorporates its leaders into the accountability structures shared between MC Canada and MC USA, and establishes the standards required to work as a pastor in good standing.”
Cheryl reflected on her ordination service with anticipation and joy. “Ordination is an act of accountability and blessing that I am looking forward to, taking seriously, and holding close to my heart.”
Pray for Cheryl and Glenlea Mennonite Church, and for all those engaged in credentialing processes. Pray for Jeff Friesen and Karen Schellenberg as they give direction to credentialing and other aspects of our Leadership Ministries program. For more information on their work, see www.mennochurch.mb.ca/leadership.