Obtaining Messianic Ministerial Ordination

Last Updated on Sunday, 05 April 2009 01:45 Written by Administrator Saturday, 28 March 2009 00:15

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MBI Credentials are now linked to the accomplishment of MBI Yeshiva students. Because MBI is a small organization, we are not responsible for the teaching or practices of those issued credentials. MBI Credentialed ministers must accept our statement of faith and must abide by all our regulations, and must of their own initiative make sure their dues are fully

paid. Failure to do these things will result in cancellation of credentials.

Credentials must be renewed annually. Renewal applications must be submitted before December 31st of each year. Failure to do so may result in cancellation of credentials.

Please Note: Regardless of which level of credentialing is applied for, all applicants are reviewed on a case by case basis to determine their level of credentials.

Explanation

Ordination or licensing is offered to those who meet the qualifications, under the auspices of Messianic Bureau International (MBI). This is a voluntary fellowship. The associated minister agrees to all decisions of the Board of Directors and Executive Office as authoritative and final. MBI is not a ministerial placement service and does not guarantee usefulness or perpetuity of its credentials.

Ordination or licensing by MBI is credentialed recognition and accountability for that calling and vocation which a candidate has already proven by his life and ministry, and is assigned by the Executive Office of MBI. Our credentials are updated annually, and must be renewed for the minister to remain in good standing. Ministers holding credentials with another religious authority need to obtain approval from the MBI Executive Office ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

  • Apprenticeship, Licensing or Ordination as a Messianic Minister
    A Messianic Minister typically serves one or more offices of the five-fold ministry (shepherd, herald, teacher, etc.). This person may also be a worship leader, psalmist, other ministry specialist, or a minister's spouse, but they must be apt to teach/preach. They have authority in most states to perform weddings and funerals. The title is Messianic Minister or the calling title with "Messianic" preceeding it, or MMin. abbreviated. In Hebrew a pastor is roeh, evangelist is m'vasayr, teacher is moreh, prophet is navi, and apostle is shaliach.
  • Ordination as a Messianic Rabbi
    A Messianic Rabbi serves as the leader or assistant leader of a Messianic Jewish congregation. He or she must confess to their own Jewishness. He or she must be able to read and speak Hebrew, and also be familiar with Judaism in general. He or she must have a specific desire to reach Jewish people with the news of Messiah, and to teachTorah. As with all ministry titles, their title "rabbi" is viewed as signatory of responsibility, not of praise. We use the title of Messianic Rabbi or MRav abbreviated.

NOTE: We discourage the use of Reverend or Rev. As with all ministry titles there is only One who is worthy of them: Yeshua HaMashiach. Therefore, a title is "borrowed" from His authority and is not indicative of anyone's personal worth or greatness or more importance than any other member of the congregation of Adonai.

A novice or inexperienced worker, or a non-Messianic minister, may apply for Messianic Ministry Apprentice status in order to join the ranks of Messianic Jewish ministry while gaining needed experience. The Messianic Ministry Apprentice comes under the same regulations of ministry, but is not formally ordained/licensed, and is not permitted to perform marriages, mikvehs or other official acts.

Qualifications

Qualifications for credentials through Messianic Bureau International are based on sound doctrine, the wisdom of experience and proven tradition. MBI does not make any claim that the qualifications are infallible, nor that their credentials necessarily proves the qualifications and ability of anyone to do the work of ministry. The credentials are intended to be an encouragement to responsibility and accountability for the minister. MBI has chosen the qualifications which it esteems to be the best and safest for recognizing a calling to ministry.

Candidates for ministry credentials must provide:

  • a properly filled out application, which states agreement with the statement of faith and regulations, and includes the first year of dues ($250.00), which is non-refundable.
  • a resume
  • a current picture (no more than two years old)
  • a testimonial explaining your faith and calling, as well as a vision statement for your ministry
  • fulfillment of the qualifications below
  • two character references

Qualifications for Messianic Ministry Apprentice

  • A follower of Messiah Yeshua for at least two years
  • Written testimony of a call to Messianic ministry and a vision statement
  • Written testimony of commitment to fulfill the qualifications for future ordination/licensing
  • A Certificate of Messianic Studies from MBI Yeshiva or equivilant (30 credits) or currently attending MBI Yeshiva
  • Applicant must be mentored by a rabbi approved by MBI

Qualifications for Messianic Minister

For License:

  • formerly a credentialed minister, or a follower of Messiah Yeshua for five years, or a Messianic congregation leader for one year
  • An Associates Degree in Messianic Studies from MBI Yeshiva or equivaient (63 credits)

For Ordination:

  • formerly a Licensed Messianic Minister, or a Messianic congregation leader for two years
  • A Bachelor's Degree in Messianic Studies from MBI Yeshiva OR Master of Messianic Studies from MBI Yeshiva or equivilant
  • A letter from a Messianic Congregation (ie. Congregation secretary or trustee, etc.) on letterhead, or recommendation from two other credentialed ministers and/or elders.

Qualifications for Messianic Rabbi

  • Formerly a Jewish rabbi and a Messianic for at least two years, or formerly an licensed Messianic Minister, or a Messianic congregation leader
  • Letter from a Messianic Congregation (ie. congregation secretary or trustee, etc.) on letterhead, or recommendation from two other credentialed ministers and/or elders.
  • Proof of past or presently being the leader of a Messianic Congregation
  • Education: Master of Theology in Rabbinic Studies from MBI Yeshiva OR a Master's degree in Jewish studies OR ongoing pursuit of a Master's in Rabbinic studies.

In MBI, the ordained Messianic Minister (MMin.) and the Messianic Rabbi (MRav) are equal peer level offices. Any difference to be noted is cultural, not spiritual. In Jewish culture, the rabbi has completed rabbinic school, and is the head of a congregation (not usually an itinerant), and can read and write biblical Hebrew. He or she must be fluent in reading and saying the usual Hebrew prayers. He or she should have a grasp of Jewish history and some Talmud. Therein lies any difference from the requirements of the Messianic Minister. Messianic Jewish rabbis are expected to be Jewish and as culturally familiar, comfortable, and deeply involved with Jewish life and leadership even as are non-Messianic rabbis.