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MBI CREDENTIALS
  This page was updated on December 15, 2002.

WELCOME. 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 updated annually. By submitting before December 31 of each year, a renewal application for credentials. Failure to do so, could also result in cancellation of credentials.

Please Note: Whatever level of credentialing is applied for, all applicants begin the credential  process at the Messianic Minister Apprentice level. l

EXPLANATION

Ordination or licensing is offered to those who meet the qualifications, under the auspices of Messianic Bureau International (MBI). Dr. Daniel Akans President, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of 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 credential.

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 ().

There are five ministry credentials available:


  • 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/Rebbitzin
    A Messianic Rabbi serves as the leader or assistant leader of a Messianic Jewish congregation. He must confess to his own Jewishness. He must be able to read Hebrew and also be familiar with Judaism in general.  He must have a specific desire to reach Jewish people with the news of Messiah, and to teach Torah. As with all ministry titles, their title "rabbi" is viewed as signatory of responsibility, not of praise. A Messianic Rebbitzin is the wife of a Messianic Rabbi, and she is ordained along with him. The title is Messianic Rabbi/Rebbitzin as the case may be, 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:

  1. 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.
  2. a resume
  3. a current picture (no more than two years old)
  4. a testimonial explaining your faith and calling
  5. fulfillment of the qualifications below


 



[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 must be fluent in reading and saying the usual Hebrew prayers. He 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.]

STATEMENT OF FAITH

REGULATIONS

(For the purposes of these regulations the term "Messianic Minister" shall apply to all credentialed parties. These regulations may be changed without notice. They become binding upon change. MBI Credential reserves the right to deny or remove anyone from our membership based upon our standards and regulations.)

1. Substantial Agreement. The Messianic Minister, holding credentials with Messianic Bureau International, must be in agreement with our Statement of Faith. If a Messianic Minister is in disagreement they must explain in writing how and why they disagree.

2. Application and Update. The Messianic Minister must apply for MBI credentials and send in an re-newal to their application once per year, and pay the $250.00 annual dues at that time. The  deadline for annual dues and application renewal is December 31. All ministers not meeting that deadline shall be considered lapsed, and their credentials re-called. All credentialed certificates remain the property of MBI, and may be re-called upon the action of the MBI Board of Directors.  A conferred credential is considered null and void if the application contains any untrue or misleading statements by the applicant.  Submitting the application for MBI Credentials shall consititute an exclusive and inclusive contract whereby the applicant agrees to hold Messianic Bureau International or any iteration thereof, blameless and not legally liable for any possible damage to the credential holder whether by association or non-association with MBI.

3. Association. The MBI Credentialed Minister agrees that association with MBI is totally voluntary. Only those Ministers with Current Credentials are eligible for leadership within Messianic Bureau International. The MBI Credentialed  Minister hereby agrees to all future amendments to the qualifications, regulations, and statement of faith, as long as he/she is a credential holder with MBI.

4. Immorality. The Messianic Minister is responsible to report any immorality or substantial change in their walk or belief as varying from the standard of MBI, and submit to the Executive Office for the work of redemption and restoration. If any Messianic Minister is believed to have performed an act of adultery, homosexuality, or any immorality as stated in Torah, they shall be put immediately on Disciplinary Suspension and may not act upon their official duties, nor minister from the Bima, until restored to active status. Any Messianic Minister who will not be restored according to the process of MBI shall turn in their credentials; their commission/ordination shall be immediately rescinded and they will be Dismissed.

5. Addictions and Obligations. The Messianic Minister must be free from all substance and/or emotional addictions, and free from any financial entanglements that could bring a reproach on Messiah. Bankruptcy, drunkenness, alcholism, chemical dependency, psychological counseling or psychiatric treatment must be reported to the Executive Office.

6. Confidential Records. The Executive Office will maintain confidential records. The Executive Office will be available for instruction, counsel, and care of the Messianic Minister.

7. Vestures. All Rabbis and male Messianic Ministers shall wear a Talit (Talis) that is woven white with dark stripes whenever or wherever they are called to speak or officiate (except if they choose not to at night). Female Messianic Ministers or Rebbitzin may wear a feminine bat mitzvah type talit or a feminine head covering, which may or may not have tsitsit attached. Women shall not wear the traditional male Talit (white with dark stripes). All Messianic Rabbis shall wear a kipa (yarmulke) when officiating their duties (optional for male Messianic Ministers who are not Rabbis).

8. Shabbat and Kosher. It is expected that all Messianic Ministers will heed all G-d's instruction as best they understand it, including the biblical commandments for the Shabbat and in partaking of kosher food, as being that which is made holy by the clear directed Word of Elohim, with thanksgiving.

9. Family Life. The Messianic Minister should make every effort to solemnly and patiently bring his family into the understanding of the Messianic faith, lifestyle and consecration.

10. Titles. No Messianic Minister of MBI  may call themselves a prophet (navi) or apostle (shaliach) as a matter of official title, without the express written consent of the Executive Office. All rabbis must be Jewish according to their confession. Messianic Rabbis and ordained Messianic Ministers shall be equal peer levels.

11. E-mail. Messianic Ministers shall make every effort to keep a valid e-mail address, and to inform the Executive Office of each change of e-mail address.

12. Marriage Officiating. Messianic Ministers are required to abide by the marriage officiating laws of the state, province or country in which they reside or perform wedding ceremony. No Messianic Minister shall perform a wedding ceremony without fulfilling the requirements of their local legal authority.

13. Marriage Vows. No Messianic Minister shall separate, divorce or remarry without the consent and counsel of the Executive Office. To do so will result in automatic Dismissal.

14. Felony Charges. If any Messianic Minister is arrested on a felony charge, they shall be put immediately on Ministerial Suspension and may not act upon their official duties, nor minister from the Bima, until cleared of such charges. Any Messianic Minister who is found guilty of a felony shall turn in their credentials; their commission/ordination shall be immediately rescinded, they shall be Dismissed.

15. Resignation. Any Messianic Minister wanting to resign their credentials with MBI shall return their paper credential (if issued), any issued membership cards, along with a letter of resignation to the Executive Office.

16. Charters. MBI Ministers who lead a ministry or congregation are encouraged to charter it with Messianic Bureau International. Messianic Ministers who do not charter their ministry with MBI may not receive Consecrated status.

17. Using "Ordination". No Messianic Minister shall use the designation or imply the status of "ordained" unless duly awarded such certification by MBI, and holding a current year credential.

18. Using "Rabbi". No Messianic Minister shall use the designation or imply the status of "Rabbi" unless duly awarded such certification by MBI, and holding a current year credential.

19. Conflict with another Messianic ministry. Any Messianic Minister having a prior conflict with another Messianic ministry or ordination shall make all due effort to resolve the conflict before applying for credentials with MBI.

20. Obedience. Knowledgeable disobedience of these regulations or any plain commandment of Scripture may result in change of status or loss of credential.

 21. Official Address: The Official Address for all correspondence is MBI Ministerial Association C/O MBI International Headquarters, 400 N. Madison Ave.
Bay City, MI 48708.

OFFICIATING GUIDELINES

These guidelines are provided for the helpful use of the Messianic Minister as needed. Officiating Guidelines will be updated and increased from time to time.

1. MIKVEH
( a.) Mikveh (immersion, baptism) should be performed for new believers as a sign of their trust in Yeshua as Messiah. ( b.) It may also be performed for consecrants to the Messianic Jewish lifestyle and community; those who wish to re-affirm the Jewish/Hebrew roots of their faith; or those who are processing through to Simcha ("Jewish Conversion"). In any Mikvah they should take a Hebrew name and confess their place as a part of the commonwealth of Israel. ( c.) Further, a private Mikveh (without an official) may be performed by those who view themselves as being in need of the ceremonial cleansing specifically ordained in the Torah.
In any public Mikveh it is not necessary, nor Scripturally mandated, for the official to enter the water with the consecrant. In fact, it is best if the consecrant proceeds unaided and the official acts as the official witness of the event.
2. MARRIAGE (Messianic Jewish Wedding Ceremony example)
( a.) In officiating a marriage, the Messianic Minister should bring to the ceremony those symbolic things which are recognizably part of the Scriptural marriage of the Most High with Israel. The Chupa (cloth shelter) should be over the wedding couple as symbolic of the cloud/fire which protected Israel in the wilderness. The Chupa may most correctly be an extra large Talit with tzitzit attached to the four corners. ( b.) The marriage vows should reflect both a confession of Yeshua as Messiah and the couple as a part of the commonwealth of Israel.  ( c.) The groom should prepare a Ketubah (writing) which outlines his personal promises for the care of the bride, which is a form of Torah covenant.  This should be read in the ceremony. ( d.) It is fitting that Hebrew prayers and mention of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs are part of the ceremony.  ( e. ) Other Jewish marriage traditions, such as breaking the glass, are optional, and should be explained as other than superstition.
3. TITHES AND OFFERINGS
( a.) The Messianic Minister has the right to collect tithes and offerings for the upkeep of his ministry, since the Messianic Minister abides by the Levitical principles and privileges according to Shaliach Rabbi Sha'ul. This collection should be without demand and in full recognition that the collection actually belongs to the Most High, but that He in His goodness has given what is His to the Messianic Minister for his livelihood.  ( b.) Where there is a congregation, the tithes and offerings will best go into the congregation's account, then distributed to the minister as the congregation allows. This action is necessary to foster trust and accountability, which ultimately works in the minister's financial favor. (c) MBI holds to the principal in Torah of tithing upwards, just as Israel tithed to the Levites, so also the Levites tithed to the Kohenim. Therefore, a local congregation tithes to their minister and the minister may then tithe to MBI as their overseer. This means that the MBI Credential holder may consider his annual dues as part of his tithe. No other tithe to MBI is required, but is always appreciated. Using this principle, there should be very little extra burden for most credential holders to pay their dues.

POSITION PAPERS

From time to time MBI will be adding official position papers. In addition, the Messianic Minister may wish to become familiar with the articles at messianic.com/articles.

APPLY TO MBI Ministerial Association

Thank you for your interest in the  MBI Ministerial Association