Step 1 – Pastor announces resignation. The conference minister meets with governing body to discuss transition issues, timing, interim/transitional pastor advantages, and search committee formation.

Step 2 – The pastor serves fully until the last day, attends to tasks such as putting files in order and personal good-byes to parishioners. Leadership supports the pastor in this vocational transition, and plans a celebratory farewell. Plans are made for an exit interview for the departing pastor, and establishing an exit agreement between the departing pastor and the congregation, defining the nature of their relationship in the future after the pastor has concluded ministry at the congregation.

Step 3 – The governing body plans for the time between settled pastors utilizing an interm pastor, or a transition pastor, or a congregational team. The governing body calls an interim or transitional pastor in consultation with the conference minister. Pastoral endings offer an opportunity for evaluation, planning, and visioning. A trained transitional pastor can assist the congregation to understand and let go of the past, remain vital in the present, and plan for the future.

[Step 4 – If a transitional pastor is appointed, this person leads the congregation in a process of reviewing the church’s history, identity, communication, structure, relationships, and vision. Focused attention is given to matters of conflict and grief. The governing board in consultation with the transitional pastor and conference minister discerns when the congregation is ready to initiate the pastoral search process.]

Step 5 – The governing board appoints a pastoral search committee, and prepares the pastor position
description. The conference minister provides an initial orientation for the search committee. The governing board and/or search committee completes a Congregational Information Form (CIF) and Congregational & Pastoral Priorities form on behalf of the congregation. The conference minister reviews the materials, and posts the pastoral opening and pastor position description on the WDC website and MC USA website. (The CIF is available to candidates from the WDC office, upon a candidate’s request to the conference minister). The search committee, the congregation, and the conference minister identify potential pastoral candidates.

Step 6 – The conference minister orients the search committee on candidating protocol and presents candidate profiles using Ministerial Leadership Information (MLI) forms processed through Mennonite Church USA. The search committee considers candidates confidentially in consultation with the conference minister, discerns their primary candidate and presents that candidate’s name to the governing board for approval. A recommendation of the candidate is made to the congregation based on a unanimous decision by the search committee and endorsed by the governing board.

Step 7 – The search committee plans a candidating weekend. The pastor candidate (and family) and
congregation meet together in fellowship groups, leadership groups, and as a worshiping congregation. A proposed Covenant of Understanding for the pastor is reviewed by appropriate congregational leadership and the candidate. The congregation approves the recommendation to extend a call to the new pastor. The pastor accepts the call with a signed Covenant of Understanding.

Step 8 – The interim or transition pastor concludes ministry with an evaluation and celebration of appreciation. The new pastor relocates with support from the congregation, is installed by the conference minister, and begins ministry. If the new pastor is already ordained in MC USA, ministerial credentials are transferred to WDC. If the pastor is not already ordained, the congregation requests credentialing (License Toward Ordination or License for Specific Ministry), and the pastor has an interview with WDC Ministerial Leadership Commission, which approves ministerial credentials.

For Mennonite Church USA resources on ministerial transition, see
https://www.mennoniteusa.org/ministry/church-vitality/for-congregations/ – 1701967134520-ed1f157b-d04e

Compiled by Heidi Regier Kreider, WDC Conference Minister
heidirk@mennowdc.org
316-283-6300 (office)
2517 N Main, PO Box 306, North Newton, KS 67117

Updated March 2024