GAMC0943
November 2, 2009

Changes to Open Book Bible Exegesis examination are announced

New exam structure goes into effect August 2010

Contact:
Emily Enders Odom, (336) 508-6394

Greensboro, N.C. — The Presbyteries’ Cooperative Committee on Examinations for Candidates (PCCEC) has announced changes to the structure of the Open Book Bible Exegesis examination — one of the five examinations required of candidates for the Ministry of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA) — beginning with the test’s August 2010 administration. The PCCEC, a permanent committee of the General Assembly of the PC(USA), is charged with the responsibility for writing, administering, and overseeing the grading of these examinations on behalf of the whole church.

The approved changes to the Open Book Bible Exegesis exam — which include a reduction in the number of required questions as well as the addition of an essay supporting the candidate’s faithful interpretation of the selected Biblical passage — come as a result of the committee’s continuing efforts to respond to specific areas of concern identified in its most recent self-study report, which was presented to the 218th General Assembly (2008).

“The PCCEC continues to make changes in our exams that reflect the new dynamics of ministry in the 21st century,” said the Rev. David Ratcliff, moderator of the PCCEC. “The new format for the Open Book Bible Exegesis exam will be the first of other possible changes that demonstrate the PCCEC’s commitment to keep abreast of the ever changing context of ministry as well as the diversity of candidates taking exams.”

Based on the findings of the self-study, the PCCEC has sought to restructure the Exegesis exam so as to supplement rather than duplicate work done elsewhere in the preparation for ministry process, primarily through seminary exegesis courses and the exegetical study and sermon required for a candidate’s “final assessment.” Candidates who take the exam in its new structure beginning in August 2010 will also find that the exam as a whole now begins with a prescribed ministry context, which informs all sections of the exam.

“Since all preaching and teaching is done within a very specific, particular context, another of the changes that candidates will see in taking the exam is that the ministry context is now defined,” explained the Rev. Barbara G. Willock, moderator of the Bible Task Group for the PCCEC.  “For each text, the exam will ask for a sermon or a lesson plan for a particular context.  A sermon in Advent, for example, might deal with a passage on Jesus’ second coming.”

The full four-page description and explanation of the new Exegesis exam structure as well as a sample exam are now available on the Examinations Web site. The sample exam is based on passages and questions drawn from the August 2008 and 2009 Exegesis exams to facilitate comparisons between the current and new structures. Those currently registering for the January 2010 Exegesis exam will be taking the test in its current format.

“One of the realities of pastoral ministry is that very often ministers must deal with specific scriptural passages within specific contexts of ministry,” said Tim Cargal, Interim Associate for Preparation for Ministry/Examinations. “This new structure both reflects more the actual practice of ministry while opening new possibilities within the exam for candidates to develop and present interpretations that may go beyond aspects of the text addressed in the specific exegetical questions.”

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) comprises 2.2 million members in more than 10,000 congregations, answering Christ’s call to mission and ministry throughout the United States and the world.