April 8th

Seek and You Shall Find...A Pastor

Twice in the past two years, North Kildonan Mennonite Church has found themselves looking for a new pastor. The assistance of Mennonite Church Manitoba’s Leadership Ministries office has proved crucial in filling those roles.

“Our first search was for an interim faith development pastor,” says Leni Lousier, congregational chair for NKMC. “We were looking for a young person who had a warm and open personality, and creative. Our second search just last spring was for a lead pastor. We were looking for a caring, compassionate personality who was willing to gently lead our aging and diminishing congregation.” They found perfect fits for these roles in Emma Siemens and Ken Warkentin (see above image).

Jeff Friesen, Director of Leadership Ministries for MCM, notes the variety of services available to congregations looking for a pastor.

• Providing search committees and church councils with MC Canada pastoral search resources.
• Developing best practices for pastoral searches to assist congregations in creating a process that serves them well.
• Working with search committees to create and post a job ad on MCM's website.
• Communicating with possible candidates and confirming they have completed the required documents to apply for a pastoral position in MCM.
• Ensuring that all applicants are properly vetted prior to forwarding their application to the search committee.
• Providing templates for Employment Agreements, Memorandums of Understanding, and Job Descriptions.

“Jeff was there to guide us through the transition of retirement and a search for a new pastor,” says Leni. “Many emails and phone calls between Jeff and myself and the chair of our search committee were exchanged, and Jeff’s insight, wisdom, and his forthright conversations made the entire process much easier.”

There has been significant interest in our pastoral vacancies by potential pastors, and this is encouraging, says Jeff, but he recognizes that every congregation’s context and experience is different. “Working with congregations in the locating and calling of pastors is one of my favourite parts of my job,” he says. “It gives me such joy to watch as a pastoral candidate emerges for a congregation that they are excited about.

Leni sums up her thoughts this way: “NKMC appreciates MCM and we are blessed to have this office with great staff and programs to help us navigate areas they have expertise in!”

Praise God for the pastors interested in serving in MCM congregations! Pray for our congregations looking for pastors, and for Jeff as he works with these congregations and potential candidates to find the best fit. To support our Leadership Ministries financially, see www.mennochurch.mb.ca/giving.