CANDIDATE'S HANDBOOK FOR ORDINATION EXAMINATIONS

Transcription

1 CANDIDATE'S HANDBOOK FOR ORDINATION EXAMINATIONS PREPARED BY: PRESBYTERIES' COOPERATIVE COMMITTEE ON EXAMINATIONS FOR CANDIDATES Timothy B. Cargal, Executive Secretary **************************************************************************************************** CONTENTS INTRODUCTION... 2 WHEN AND WHERE EXAMS ARE GIVEN... 3 Listing of Testing Sites... 5 THE BIBLE CONTENT EXAMINATION... 7 SENIOR ORDINATION EXAMINATIONS... 9 OBTAINING COPIES OF PREVIOUS EXAMS WRITING THE EXAMS G b Open Book Bible Exegesis Bible Task Group Recommendations G c Theological Competence Theology Task Group Recommendations G d Worship & Sacraments Worship & Sacraments Group Recommendations G e Church Polity Church Polity Group Recommendations THE EVALUATION PROCESS APPEALS Reflections from a Reader CONCLUSION Page 1

2 INTRODUCTION The Presbyterian Church (USA) administers ordination examinations as a reasonably uniform (standard) process for determining candidates readiness to begin ministry of the Word and Sacrament. An overture from the Presbytery of San Francisco in 1963 became a provision of the constitution of the predecessor UPCUSA in Examinations have been given continuously (in the UPCUSA stream) since Exams were administered nationally, and elders and ministers who were elected by their presbyteries evaluated the exams. The 115th General Assembly (1975) of the Presbyterian Church in the United States called for standard written examinations for ordination to begin effective January 1, This assembly instructed the Council on Theology and Culture, in consultation with the General Executive Board, to prepare a plan by which such examinations could be described, developed and conducted. The 116th General Assembly (1976) approved the establishment of a Permanent Committee on Ordination Examinations. The committee designed exams in Theology, Bible, Sacraments and the Book of Church Order. Exams were administered and evaluated by the presbyteries of the PCUS. In October 1978 discussions were begun to unite the two examining bodies. The first joint meeting of the two groups occurred April 22-24, 1979 in Erlanger, Kentucky. The standard ordination examinations consist of five exams prescribed in the Book of Order (G ): Bible Content, Open Book Bible Exegesis, Theological Competence, Worship and Sacraments, and Church Polity. All five exams must be satisfactorily completed in order to meet the requirements for ministry of Word and Sacrament set forth in the Book of Order (G d). The Bible Content examination is a short answer exam administered online, and is ordinarily taken during the first year or the beginning of the second year of seminary to determine one s basic knowledge of the Bible. The other four exams are professional examinations, not academic tests. They differ from seminary examinations which measure academic knowledge. They also differ from presbytery examinations which assess the acceptability of one s theological convictions. The purpose of the four senior ordination examinations is to determine one s entry-level readiness for ministry in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Examinations present pastoral challenges whereby candidates can demonstrate how they integrate faith and theological education in ministry. The underlying questions are, Do these examinations provide evidence that the person who wrote them is ready to engage in pastoral ministry in the Presbyterian Church (USA)? Is there evidence that the intellectual background developed in seminary can be applied to pastoral situations with integrity and skill? Page 2

3 WHEN AND WHERE EXAMS ARE GIVEN Like many other standard professional tests, the ordination examinations of the Presbyterian Church (USA) are administered only on specific dates during the year and at proctored testing sites. The Presbyteries Cooperative Committee on Examinations for Candidates (PCC), which develops the tests and oversees administration of the exam program, has established policies that put these procedures in place to assure the integrity and security of the exams. Scheduling: Bible Content examinations are given twice each year on the first Friday in February and the Friday before Labor Day from 10 a.m. until noon local time. Depending on registration patterns, the exam sites in the Central Time Zone may be shifted to the 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. time period to accommodate limits in the testing software. The four Senior Ordination Examinations are given twice each year in January and August: -- Beginning on the final Friday in January; -- The last full weekend in August before Labor Day weekend. The schedule for administering each of the Senior Ordination Examinations is: Friday 8:30 a.m. - Orientation 9:00 a.m. - Theological Competence (3 hours) 1:30 p.m. - Worship & Sacraments (3 hours) Saturday 9:00 a.m. - Church Polity (3 hours) 12:00 Noon - Bible Exegesis exams distributed; completed examination is due the following Thursday at 9:00 a.m. Testing Locations: Examinations are administered on many seminary campuses nationwide and a limited number of presbytery offices. The Senior Ordination Exams are shipped to proctors approximately two weeks prior to the date of administration in a way that enables accurate tracking of the parcels. Lost or missing packages can be traced. The proctor accepts responsibility for confirming with the Office of Preparation for Ministry/Exams that the materials arrived in a timely fashion. Proctors are also expected to check the contents of the package for omissions or errors. Prompt checking helps assure the smooth operation of the system. When the exams arrive proctors are expected to carefully read the instructions for administering the exams. Special Proctors: Persons registering for exams are encouraged to take them at one of the established testing sites. If a person taking exams does not live within a reasonable distance of a testing site (2 to 3 hours of driving time or public transportation), arrangements may be made for a Special Proctor. A Special Proctor must be a person who is reliable, responsible, and who will return exam materials to the Office of Preparation for Ministry/Exams promptly after exams are administered. S/he may be a pastor, CPM member, elder, or other person approved Page 3

4 by the candidate s Committee on Preparation for Ministry (CPM). All contact information for a Special Proctor is to be included in the online registration form. Since grades are currently released by fax but are being transitioned to distribution, be sure to include a fax number and an address or exam results may be delayed. It is recommended that those taking exams with Special Proctors cover the cost of return shipping for exam materials. Severe Weather Policy: If severe weather at a testing site leads to the closing of the facilities, the examination(s) scheduled for that site only will be postponed until the next day when the facilities are open for normal operations. Those taking such rescheduled examinations will be required to submit signed statements that they have not discussed or reviewed comments about the examination(s) by those who will have taken the tests at unaffected sites. The rescheduling of exams will be determined by conditions which exist at the testing site, not local conditions at the residences of the test takers. If emergency road closures or other severe weather impacts on transportation systems prevent a particular test taker from reaching a testing site at the (re)scheduled time for the examination(s), registration fees will be refunded in accord with emergency cancellation policies (see the Cancellation sections in the materials related to registration for the examinations below). Page 4

5 Examination Testing Sites for the Presbyterian Church (USA) Standard Ordination Exams State Seminary or Presbytery Site City Arizona Fuller Theological Seminary Phoenix BC, Canada Regent College Vancouver California Bethel Theological Seminary San Diego Fuller Theological Seminary Menlo Park Fuller Theological Seminary Pasadena Hanmi Presbytery Whittier Pacific School of Religion Berkeley San Francisco Theological Seminary Pasadena San Francisco Theological Seminary San Anselmo Colorado Iliff School of Theology Denver Connecticut Yale Divinity School New Haven DC Wesley Theological Seminary Washington Florida Central Florida Presbytery Orlando Florida Center for Theological Studies Miami St. Augustine Presbytery Jacksonville Georgia Columbia Theological Seminary Decatur Johnson C Smith Seminary Atlanta Iowa Dubuque Theological Seminary Dubuque Illinois Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary Evanston McCormick Theological Seminary Chicago Trinity Evangelical Divinity School Deerfield Indiana Christian Theological Seminary Indianapolis Kansas Central Baptist/St Paul School of Theology Shawnee Kentucky Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary Louisville Massachusetts Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary South Hamilton Harvard University Divinity School Milton Maine Bangor Theological Seminary Bangor Michigan Detroit Presbytery Livonia Western Theological Seminary Holland Minnesota Bethel Theological Seminary St Paul Luther Seminary St Paul United Theological Seminary New Brighton Missouri Eden Theological Seminary St Louis Mississippi Reformed Theological Seminary Jackson North Carolina Duke University Divinity School Durham North Carolina Union Presbyterian/Queens University Charlotte Wake Forest Divinity School Winston-Salem Page 5

6 New Jersey Drew Theological Seminary Madison New Brunswick Theological Seminary New Brunswick Princeton Theological Seminary Princeton New York Auburn Theological Seminary Union New York Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School Rochester Ohio United Theological Seminary Trotwood Oklahoma Phillips Theological Seminary Tulsa Pennsylvania Lancaster Theological Seminary Lancaster Palmer Theological Seminary Wynnewood Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Pittsburgh Puerto Rico Seminario Evangelico de Puerto Rico San Juan South Carolina Erskine Theological Seminary Due West South Dakota Sioux Falls Seminary Sioux Falls Tennessee Memphis Theological Seminary Memphis Vanderbilt University Nashville Texas Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary Austin Brite Divinity School Ft Worth Virginia Union Presbyterian Seminary Richmond Washington Fuller Theological Seminary Seattle Page 6

7 THE BIBLE CONTENT EXAMINATION The Presbyterian Church considers basic knowledge of the content of the Bible to be an essential prerequisite for ministry. The purpose of the Bible Content Examination (BCE) is to determine whether or not a candidate has such basic knowledge. It is given only twice a year, on the first Friday of February and the Friday before Labor Day. Because this is a standardized examination, there are no alternate dates for taking this exam. This exam is ordinarily taken in the first year of seminary or, with the new twice yearly administration, at the beginning of the second year (see G ). The two-hour examination contains 100 multiple-choice questions about the Bible, using the New Revised Standard Version for all quotations (English exams). The questions vary in difficulty, and cover the entire Bible as required by the General Assembly in Languages: The Bible Content Exam is available in English, Spanish and Korean. Registration: Unlike the senior ordination examinations, inquirers and candidates are not required to obtain their CPM s authorization to take the BCE unless they are requesting special accommodations (see Special Arrangements below). Registration and payment of required fees is processed through an online system accessible from the BCE page of the examinations website ( Access to the registration site opens approximately 75 days before the final registration deadline (see Fees and Deadlines below). An confirmation is sent to each person who has registered to take the BCE. If you do not receive the confirmation you should contact the Office of Preparation for Ministry/Exams promptly to be sure the registration processing completed successfully. Special Arrangements: Inquirers and candidates with learning disabilities or physical handicaps and those unable to travel to one of the regular testing sites should discuss special arrangements with their CPMs and proctors. Registrations for the BCE involving any special arrangements must be made directly with the Office of Preparation for Ministry/Exams using the Requests for Special Administrations form available on the BCE page of the examinations website ( The form must be accompanied by a letter from the registrant s CPM indicating the special arrangements that have been approved by the committee. Technical requirements for special proctor administration sites should be discussed with the Office of Preparation for Ministry/Exams early in the process of making such arrangements. Fees and Deadlines: The standard fee for the Bible Content exam is $100. The fee must be paid by credit or credit-enabled debit card through the online registration system. Registration must be completed by the preceding December 15 for the spring administration and by July 15 for the fall administration of the exams. Access to the registration site will be closed once these deadlines have passed. For PC(USA) inquirers and candidates ONLY, there is an early registration discount of $20 if registration is completed at least one month before the final deadlines (November 15 for spring exams and June 15 for fall exams). The online registration system will automatically apply these discounts for those who qualify. Page 7

8 Special Arrangements administrations, as noted above, cannot be made through the online system and, because of the extra processing required, are not eligible for any early registration discount. Payment of the full $100 fee must be made by check accompanying the required paperwork. All materials, including fees, must be postmarked by the final registration deadline for the examination date being requested. Cancellation: After registrations have been confirmed, cancellation of an exam up until two weeks before the administration of the exam will be subject to an administrative fee of 50%. If an exam is cancelled within the two weeks before the exam is to be administered, all fees paid will be forfeited. In case of serious illness or emergency, please contact the Office of Preparation for Ministry/Exams and the proctor at the testing site as soon as possible; with confirmation of such circumstances registration fees will be refunded. Scoring and Results Reporting: A score of 70 correct answers or better is required to satisfy this exam requirement. Overall and section scores by canonical divisions are displayed onscreen at the conclusion of the test. Score reports are also automatically sent via to the test taker, the moderator of the test taker s CPM, and the PC(USA) s contact person at the test taker s seminary of enrollment. Page 8

9 SENIOR ORDINATION EXAMS Decades of experience with the senior ordination examinations have demonstrated that the best statistical predictor for satisfactorily completing the tests is that candidates wait to write the exams until they and their CPM believe they are prepared to take all four subject areas. The Book of Order directs that these four examinations shall ordinarily be taken by inquirers or candidates only after completion of two full years of theological education, or its equivalent, and adequate supervised experience in the practice of pastoral ministry (G ). Authorization: Unlike the Bible Content Exam which may be taken by any inquirer or candidate, the Book of Order requires that every person who writes the senior exams must have their presbytery s authorization to do so. The decision whether to authorize a person to write the examinations belongs solely to the presbytery. When authorizing a person to write the examinations, the Book of Order requires that the chairperson of the individual s CPM attest that the inquirer or candidate has completed adequate academic preparation in each examination area and adequate supervised experience in the practice of pastoral ministry (G ). Candidates and inquirers must obtain authorization each time exams are to be taken. Authorization also certifies that the person is in good standing as an inquirer or candidate in the process of preparation for the ministry of Word and Sacrament under the care of that presbytery. The same attestation is required of ministers of other denominations who are seeking admission to the PC(USA). Practice varies among presbyteries as to whether such attestation of such persons readiness to take the exams is ultimately provided by the CPM or the Committee on Ministry (COM). Registration: Registration and payment of required fees is processed through an online system accessible from the examinations website ( Access to the registration site opens approximately 75 days before the final registration deadline (see Fees and Deadlines below). Candidates and inquirers are required to complete all information requested on the online registration form, including information about any exams that have been taken previously (both the Bible Content exam and/or senior ordination exams, whether or not they were evaluated as satisfactory). Once the required online form has been submitted at the registration site (including credit or credit-enabled debit card information for the billing of the fees), an will be sent to the CPM chair requesting authorization to administer the exams. An confirmation is sent to the person who requested registration to take senior ordination examinations once processing is completed (for more information, see Confirmation below). If you do not receive the confirmation you should contact the Office of Preparation for Ministry/Exams promptly to be sure registration processing has been completed successfully. Requests for special needs, whether to accommodate learning disabilities and/or physical handicaps or for a special proctor at a location other than a standard testing site, are submitted during the online registration process and authorized by the CPM or COM moderator as part of the required attestation of readiness and eligibility to write the exams. Registration for the senior ordination examinations does not include registration to take Page 9

10 the Bible Content Examination (BCE). The BCE has a separate registration site and procedures. Please see the section of this handbook headed Bible Content Examination for information about that exam including how to register for it. Timing of Exams: Inquirers and candidates who are writing exams for the first time are encouraged to write all four exams at that time. The examinations are intentionally given over two days as a way of evaluating the person's stewardship of time and energy, an important aspect of life in ministry. (See the section, When and Where Exams are Given, earlier in this handbook for an overview of the schedule for taking the tests.) Introductory materials sent along with the confirmation of registration indicate the time limits for each exam. Members of the Presbyteries Cooperative Committee on Examinations for Candidates, who write and administer the exams, understand that a candidate s response will be shaped and constrained by these time requirements. They emphasize during the readers training process that exams are to be evaluated on the basis of the time allotted. Fees and Deadlines: The fees for the senior ordination exams are $100 per exam. Fees must be billed to a credit or credit-enabled debit card as part of the online registration process. Registration must be completed by the preceding December 15 for the spring administration and by July 15 for the fall administration of the exams. Access to the registration site will be closed once these deadlines have passed. For PC(USA) inquirers and candidates ONLY, there is an early registration discount of $20 if registration is completed at least one month before the final deadlines (November 15 for spring exams and June 15 for fall exams). The online registration system will automatically apply these discounts for those who qualify. Confirmation: Receipt of authorization is confirmed by , generally within two weeks after the application is submitted through the Office of Preparation for Ministry/Exams registration website. The confirmation will include the applicant's I.D. number along with attachments with information and preliminary instructions. The I.D. number is used throughout the exam process to ensure anonymity for candidates. The candidate is asked to verify the accuracy of the information in the regarding examinations requested, testing location, etc. If your name, address, presbytery of care, or desired exam location should change, or if there are changes in your plans to take the examinations, contact the Office of Preparation for Ministry/Exams immediately! If an confirmation has not arrived within two weeks after the online registration was submitted, please contact the Office of Preparation for Ministry/Exams. Unfortunately notifications requesting authorization from CPM moderators or confirming registrations for test takers can be caught by spam filters and other network problems. There have been instances where individuals thought that they were registered but weren't. It is most important and the responsibility of each inquirer or candidate to follow instructions carefully and to stay in close contact with the links to the process (e.g., proctors, committee chairpersons, and Office of Preparation for Ministry/Exams staff). It is the responsibility of the candidate or inquirer to ensure that all necessary steps in the application/registration process have been fulfilled. Page 10 Cancellation: After registrations have been confirmed, cancellation of an exam up until

11 two weeks before the administration of the exam will be subject to an administrative fee of 50%. If an exam is cancelled within the two weeks before the exam is to be administered, all fees paid will be forfeited. In case of serious illness or emergency, please contact the Office of Preparation for Ministry/Exams and the proctor at the testing site as soon as possible; with confirmation of such circumstances registration fees will be refunded. Evaluation of Exams and Results Reporting: All reader evaluations, exam materials and post-examination correspondence are distributed through proctors. Initial reports indicating whether or not papers satisfied the examination requirement are currently released to proctors by fax, although the system is in the process of transitioning to notification. Examination papers and readers evaluation sheets are shipped to Proctors at about the same time as the initial reports. Exam results are not released to individuals by the Office of Preparation for Ministry/Exams - you must contact your proctor. Summary reports of whether or not papers satisfied the examination requirements are also sent to all CPM Moderators. Inquirers and candidates are required to forward the original examination papers and readers evaluation sheets to their CPM moderators within two weeks of receiving them from the proctor. These materials become part of the permanent record of the preparation for ministry of Word and Sacrament process. Inquirers and candidates are strongly advised to make and provide for the safekeeping of a copy of all examination materials before returning them to the CPM moderator. Page 11

12 HOW TO OBTAIN COPIES OF PAST EXAMINATIONS Once senior ordination examinations are administered they become part of the public domain. Copies of the most recently administered senior examination questions are available from links on the examinations website ( One may also be able to obtain copies from the moderator of the CPM in the presbytery of care or from proctors at the standard testing sites. Two Presbyterian Church (USA) seminaries currently maintain copies of some previous exams online on their websites: Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary McCormick Theological Seminary Please keep in mind when using past examinations as an aid for study and preparation to take the senior ordination exams that test structures and formats are changed by the PCC from time to time. Be sure to check the examinations website for announcements regarding upcoming and recent changes to the exams and to be sure that you have a copy of the most recent edition of this handbook. Page 12

13 WRITING THE EXAMS Inquirers and candidates should familiarize themselves with the description of each senior ordination examination as approved by the General Assembly and presented within this handbook. There are periodic changes to these provisions, so this review should be done in the most recent edition of this handbook. Preparation: It is important for those taking the senior ordination exams to be prepared for this process. One needs to think about the sequence of the examinations and be prepared to move from one area to the next in each of the exams in an orderly fashion. The exams are designed to encourage the candidate to express an understanding of ministry. They are not designed to trick the candidate in any way, which would be contrary to life in the community of faith. The examinations are designed to provide opportunity for multiple approaches rather than to operate on the assumption that there is only one correct way of responding. Members of the PCC emphasize each of those points in training readers to evaluate the examinations. The Office of Preparation for Ministry/Exams has posted on its website ( a series of web-ucation modules designed to help test takers understand the structure of the senior ordination exams. These modules also present a specific, step-by-step method for analyzing test questions to better understand what must be included for a response to be evaluated as satisfactory. This process is based on the method which the PCC uses to train the readers of the exams to recognize whether a response covers all the required elements of the question. The modules include interactive quizzes that allow the users to practice the method of analysis on questions from previous exams in all four subject areas. Inquirers and candidates are encouraged to utilize these training opportunities as part of their preparation. Special Arrangements: Special arrangements can be made for candidates with physical handicaps and/or learning disabilities upon prior approval from the presbytery of care. These arrangements must be made at the time of authorization. Instructions for how to request such special arrangements are provided in the Registration sections of this handbook. Books for Biblical Exegesis Exam: Four weeks before the senior ordination examinations are to be administered, the names of the books of the Bible (one from Old Testament and one from the New Testament) from which the passages for the Biblical Exegesis exam will be taken are released. Candidates may choose either the Old Testament or New Testament passage with which to work. The names of the Books are available through proctors, on the PC(USA) website ( or by calling the Office of Preparation for Ministry/Exams at (888) , ext Instructions: At the time that exams are administered, test takers will receive current cover sheets and general instructions for each examination (the same instructions that are sent with confirmation materials). These instructions include the current General Assembly approved description for that subject area, criteria for evaluating responses, and any special provisions which relate to that examination. Languages: The four senior ordination exams are available in Spanish. The theology, worship and polity exams are also available in Korean. It is the recommendation of Korean Page 13

14 members of the PCC that the Bible Exegesis examination not be translated into Korean. Their position is that the nature of the questions on that particular exam (involving as they sometimes do references to the original Hebrew and Greek languages of the text and specific wording of English translations) can create misunderstandings when translated into Korean. Inquirers and candidates whose primary language is Korean may write their responses to the exegesis exams in Korean. Likewise, those whose primary language is not English, Spanish or Korean may request permission from their CPMs for permission to write their responses to any of the four senior exams in their primary language as a special arrangement. Such requests approved by the CPM must be communicated the Office of Preparation for Ministry/Exams well in advance of the registration deadline to provide time to secure readers with facility in that language who can be prepared to evaluate the examination. The PCC does not permit the translation of the standard examination questions into languages other than English, Spanish, or Korean. Plagiarism: Plagiarism is a serious abuse of this system. If plagiarism is suspected, the examination paper will be returned un-graded. The proctor and the CPM moderator will be notified and supplied with supporting documentation. Disposition will be determined by the presbytery committee. To avoid even the appearance of plagiarism, be sure to cite all appropriate references and quotations on your exam papers. Music, ipods, etc.: Out of respect for all who are taking exams, inquirers and candidates may not use ipods, MP3 players, or other personal audio devices during any of the exams other than periods of independent work on the Open Book Bible Exegesis exam. Page 14

15 OPEN BOOK BIBLE EXEGESIS This examination shall assess the candidate s ability to find and state a faithful interpretation of an assigned passage of Scripture, demonstrating attention to the original language of the text and ability to understand its historical situation. The candidate shall have access to any or all of the following: Hebrew and Greek texts, translations, commentaries, on-line materials and other exegetical tools, including those which presuppose knowledge of the biblical languages. Using these, he or she shall be asked to state a faithful interpretation of the passage, show how he or she arrived at this interpretation, and suggest how this passage might be used in the contemporary life of the church. General Assembly approved description of the Open Book Bible Exegesis Examination Page 15

16 Description and Preparation Guidelines for the Open Book Bible Exegesis Examination by the Bible Task Group of the PCCEC The following comments are intended as helpful advice from the Presbyteries Cooperative Committee to candidates preparing to take the Open Book Biblical Exegesis Exam. These are not the specific instructions for the examination; those are found on the examination itself. Description: This examination shall assess the candidate s ability to interpret an assigned passage of Scripture by demonstrating attention to the original language of the text, an understanding of the text s historical context, and an ability to relate the text effectively to the contemporary life of the church in the world. The candidate shall have access to Hebrew and Greek texts, translations, commentaries, and other exegetical tools. Using these, he or she shall provide a faithful interpretation of the passage, show how he or she arrived at this interpretation, and suggest how this passage might be used in the contemporary life of the church. Purpose: The purpose of the Open Book Bible Exegesis Examination within the overall preparation for ministry process is to serve as an assessment of a candidate s ability to apply academic training in biblical studies to contexts of ministry of Word and Sacrament. It is intended to supplement, not replicate, assessments of an ability to use Scripture in the practice of ministry within a Reformed Christian context that are completed as part of seminary courses in biblical studies and languages (G c) and through the preparation of a formal exegetical study and sermon for the candidate s final assessment (see Expected Outcomes of Candidacy, item f, in the Advisory Handbook for Committees on Preparation for Ministry, p. 11). Consequently, the exegesis examination is designed to assess three areas: 1. Testing a candidate s knowledge about the text which leads to and sets limits on the possible interpretations and applications of that text. 2. Testing a candidate s ability to communicate the substance of careful, academicallyinformed biblical study, including interaction with the original languages, to those who have not had the opportunity for training in such fields. 3. Testing a candidate s ability to develop and support a faithful interpretation of some aspect of the text for application to the life of the community. In order to better appreciate why these particular assessments are chosen, it is helpful to consider both the historical understanding of the interpretation of Scripture within the Reformed tradition and some current presuppositions in the discipline of biblical studies. Page 16

17 Rationale: For much of the period since the Protestant Reformation, the interpretation of the Bible was guided by principles of historical-grammatical exegesis (often called the historical-critical method ). Such interpretations were based on the assumption that it was possible to arrive at an objective understanding of the meaning of a scriptural passage through the rigorous study of the text in its original language and within its original historical context. That meaning could then be applied to the contemporary situation of the interpreter. This approach to exegesis received its classic formulation in Krister Stendahl s article on Biblical Theology for The Interpreter s Dictionary of the Bible,1 in which he described the twin purposes of biblical interpretation as determining the relationship between what a text meant and what it means. The academic discipline of biblical studies has progressed over the past several decades in its understanding of how a text may be interpreted in more than one way. The notion that there is such a thing as the interpretation or the meaning of a biblical passage, or even that there might be closely paired interpretations of what it meant and means, is now considered too limited in describing the ways the church has heard God speak in and through the Scriptures. Even interpreters who employ more traditional critical methods now readily admit that there are multiple meanings when a passage is considered with regard to its meaning relative to what (theology, ethics, history, etc.), and that the choice of the what opens multiple possibilities for interpretation. These changes in biblical studies do not challenge the use of Scripture within the church, but rather provide a theoretical support for the way the Bible is actually experienced and used within the Reformed tradition. While a Reformed understanding of Scripture would reject more radical literary theories - we believe there is not only a what of the text but a who of the Spirit that encounters us as an Other in the act of reading Scripture - it nevertheless acknowledges the multiple ways in which God has spoken in the past leading to the production of Scripture and continues to speak through the Scripture as seen in the confessional documents of the church and the ongoing life of the community. This Reformed view of Scripture means that interpretations of the text both for the individual Christian and especially for the Christian community must be informed by a broad understanding about the text that both provides the foundation for and sets limits on those interpretations.2 Any interpretations of Scripture from a Reformed perspective must take account of at least the following four areas: 1. Language of the Text: word meanings, grammar, literary and other features with respect to both its original language and its translation into the language of the modern community. 2. Historical Situation: the influence of the historical and cultural context in which the engagement between God and God s people has come. 1 Krister Stendahl, Biblical Theology, Contemporary, in George Arthur Buttrick, ed., The Interpreter s Dictionary of the Bible (New York and Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1962) 1: , particularly section A.2 What it meant and what it means ( ). 2 See the statements on Presbyterian Understanding and Use of Holy Scripture (123 rd General Assembly of the PCUS, 1983) and Biblical Authority and Interpretation (194 th General Assembly of the UPCUSA, 1982). Page 17

18 3. Scriptural and Theological Context: the passage s relation to the broad teaching of Scripture and theological tradition of the church. 4. Significance for the Present Situation: the application of the passage informed by points of correspondence between the original situation and the present one, guided by the Rule of Love the commands to love God and neighbor (cf. Mark 12:28-32). The Open Book Bible Exegesis Examination as directed by the Book of Order and the description of the examination approved by the General Assembly requires that a candidate develop and present a faithful interpretation of an assigned text and a plan for its use in a specific ministry context. By the phrase faithful interpretation, the instructions for the examination mean one that is consistent with the facts (to take one standard definition of faithful ) about the text s wording, its historical, social, canonical, and theological contexts, and so forth. Such an interpretation should fulfill the expectations for the use of Scripture as understood within the context of the Reformed tradition. Structure: Because the Open Book Bible Exegesis Examination is neither an academic exegesis paper nor practice for the exegesis and sermon requirement of final assessment, it has its own particular components and arrangement. Candidates are required to address the assigned passage in terms of knowledge about the text, theological interpretation, and application to a specified ministry context. Candidates have a period of five days in which to complete the examination. Each administration of the examination will present candidates with a choice of two passages (one each from the Old and the New Testament) together with a scenario reflecting a particular ministry context specific to each passage. These scenarios will culminate in production of a specific form of ministry work product, such as a sermon outline or lesson plan. Examples of such scenarios might include: You will be preaching on this passage as part of a series of sermons on stewardship. You will be using this passage with your confirmation class as it studies baptism. You have been asked by the family to use this passage as the primary Scripture reading at their mother s funeral, and so it will serve as the scriptural basis for your funeral sermon. Candidates may choose either the Old or the New Testament passage but must formulate their responses for the ministry context specified with the particular passage. The examination will have three major sections. Section I - Language, Historical Situation, Scriptural and Theological Context: This section tests knowledge about the text corresponding to the first three areas of a Reformed perspective on interpreting Scripture outlined above. The questions may be formulated so that they reflect issues likely to be raised in the context of ministry rather than merely scholarly debate. As examples: Pastor, my NIV Bible doesn t say at all what you read from the NRSV this morning. What was going on at the time that made Isaiah push Ahaz to ask for a sign that God would be with the people of Judah? A total of four responses will be required in this section of the examination, and there will be a 600-word limit per response. All candidates will be required to respond to three specified questions and will be permitted to select between an option of either A or B in the other response. Page 18

19 Section II - Presenting a Faithful Interpretation : The second section of the exam responds to the final aspect of a Reformed perspective of Scripture - an application informed by points of correspondence between the present ministry context and the original setting of the passage. It will have two parts. 1. Focus Statement: Based on their broad study of the passage and not just the material presented in section I, candidates will write a 50-word statement about a central theme related to their faithful interpretation of the passage they will develop in the sermon, lesson plan, or other work product indicated in the ministry context specified for the passage. Candidates are encouraged to develop readings of the text that show their creative use of interpretational methods appropriate to the text. 2. Supporting the Interpretation: Candidates will write an essay presenting their faithful interpretation supporting the central theme in the focus statement by a careful and critical analysis of the text (1,200-word limit). This essay should draw on not only material in responses to the questions in Section I, but also exegetical methods and evidence relevant to the type of interpretation they provide. It will be assessed by the readers based upon its coherence, consistency, clarity, and whether it persuasively supports the focus statement regarding their faithful interpretation of the passage. Section III - Application: In this final section of the exam the candidate presents the sermon, lesson plan, etc. required by the ministry context specified for the particular passage. This section of the examination will be assessed on clarity, consistency with preceding sections of the exam, appropriateness for the specified context, and so forth. General Guidelines for Preparation: Double-space your text. For the convenience of readers, the main body of your essay answers should be double-spaced; outlines (including sermon outlines and lesson plans, as well as other short outlines within the body of the essays) may be single-spaced. Label your answers. Be sure to identify your essays in a manner consistent with the section and number of the question. Within Section I label your answers First Required Response, etc., and indicate A or B where appropriate. Identity the parts of Section II by number. It is not necessary to include a repetition of the question, although you may do so if you wish. If sections of the exam are not clearly labeled, the exam will be returned ungraded. Remember your audience. Readers of the ordination exams are both ministers of Word and Sacrament and elders, and with differing levels of familiarity with the language and tools of exegesis. While some have academic specialization in biblical studies, most do not. Write simply and directly. Avoid excessive use of technical terms, but be precise in your descriptions of grammar and syntax. Keep in mind that a primary purpose of the examination is to assess your ability to communicate the substance of careful, academically-informed biblical study, including interaction with the original languages, to those who have not had the opportunity for formal training in these fields. Page 19

20 AUGUST 2010 EXAMINATION IN OPEN BOOK BIBLE EXEGESIS GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS This examination shall assess the candidate s ability to interpret an assigned passage of Scripture by demonstrating attention to the original language of the text, an understanding of the text s historical context, and an ability to relate the text effectively to the contemporary life of the church in the world. The candidate shall have access to Hebrew and Greek texts, translations, commentaries, and other exegetical tools. Using these, he or she shall provide a faithful interpretation of the passage, show how he or she arrived at this interpretation, and suggest how this passage might be used in the contemporary life of the church. (This description approved by 2008 General Assembly.) ASSIGNMENT OF PASSAGE Choose from selected passages: Old Testament OR New Testament Your examination is due to your proctor at 9:00 AM, SEPTEMBER 2, The time of submission will be strictly observed. SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS 1. You must do your own work, without giving or receiving aid from anyone after the passages are announced. The exam will not be proctored. 2. Clearly identify each section of the exam. Within Section I label your answers First Required Response, etc., and indicate A or B where appropriate. Identity the parts of Section II by number. 3. In formulating your answers, remember that your readers will be looking for an ability to work with the passage in its original language and to communicate the findings of biblical scholarship to those who have not had the opportunity of formal training in the field. 4. You must provide original answers to the exam questions. When using written material from other sources, you must identify the author, title, and page number. You must also identify electronic sources, either software or on-line. You may use parenthetical citations within the text of your answers, endnotes, or footnotes. 5. Include a bibliography of consulted works. 6. Readers will be looking for logical organization and consistency within the examination. They will evaluate the exam as a unit and not in parts. Page 20

21 AUGUST 2010 EXAMINATION IN OPEN BOOK BIBLICAL EXEGESIS Page 2 of 7 REQUIRED PARTS OF A SATISFACTORY EXAMINATION The following sections are required parts of a Satisfactory examination. Failure to complete any of these sections will result in the failure of the examination as a whole. The specified ministry contexts for each passage and specific questions in each of the categories of Section I will be provided when the passages are announced. Section I: Language, Historical Situation, Scriptural and Theological Context After studying the passage, answer the questions in the following subject areas. 1 Language of the Text: word meanings, grammar, literary and other features with respect to both its original language and its translation into the language of the modern community. 2. Historical Situation: the influence of the historical and cultural context in which the engagement between God and God s people has come. 3. Scriptural and Theological Context: the passage s relation to the broad teaching of Scripture and theological tradition of the church. A total of four responses will be required in Section I of the examination, and there will be a 600-word limit per response. You will be required to respond to three specified questions and will be permitted to select between an option of either A or B in the other response. To assist the readers of your examination, clearly label this portion as Section I and identify each response by required response number and letter (as necessary). Section II: Presenting a Faithful Interpretation 1. Focus Statement: Write a focus statement based on your broad study of the passage (not just material presented in Section I) that articulates a central theme of your faithful interpretation of the passage. Limit your statement to 50 words. 2. Supporting the Interpretation: Write an essay presenting your faithful interpretation of the passage consistent with the central theme in the focus statement. Support your interpretation by a careful and critical analysis of the text. You may draw on any material in areas of the required responses in Section I and other exegetical methods and evidence relevant to the interpretation. Limit your essay to 1,200 words. Section III: Application Present a sermon outline or lesson plan (as required by the specified ministry context) based on your faithful interpretation of the passage and consistent with your focus statement. Limit your sermon outline or lesson plan to 2 pages. Page 21

22 AUGUST 2010 EXAMINATION IN OPEN BOOK BIBLE EXEGESIS Page 3 of 7 FINAL INSTRUCTIONS You may write your answers in ink in your own handwriting, type them, or use a computer. Do not use a pencil to write your responses; papers written in pencil will be returned without being evaluated. If you handwrite your examination, do not skip lines in the examination book. You may make corrections, deletions, or additions without rewriting or erasing. Identify every answer by the number and letter assigned to it (e.g., III. B). Illegible papers shall be returned without being evaluated. You are encouraged to use a computer. You may bring your own equipment or, at some exam sites, you may use equipment provided by the proctor. You must confirm with the proctor in advance of the testing date what equipment (power strips, computers, printers, etc.) is available at the testing site. If you use a computer: A printed copy of the exam must be turned in before you leave the test site. Not turning in a printed copy will result in failure. You are strongly urged to make sure that all the necessary equipment and software are properly working and coordinated. Number the pages. Include your candidate number on each page of the exam, but not your name. Print responses using double spacing and 12-point font size. When finished, staple the printed copy to the first few pages of the exam book. Syntax or grammar will not be evaluated. However, the evaluation of papers may be affected if they cannot be understood because of poor syntax or grammar. Maintaining the candidate s anonymity is of fundamental importance to assure fair evaluation of examination papers. Failure to comply with any of the following instructions will result in the paper being found as unsatisfactory: Do not include your name Do not include the name of your congregation or presbytery Do not identify the seminary you attend or have attended Do not identify professors with whom you have studied Do not indicate whether you have taken this or other senior ordination exams before Page 22