PC (USA) Ordination Examinations Guide
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT HOW TO CITE EBOOKS AND E-RESOURCES FOR THE ORDINATION EXAMS (Updated 04/23/20):
Do not include a web address in your citations that indicates a library or commercial bibliographic database that is available only through subscription or library account (e.g. ezproxy.presbyseminary.edu). Especially be careful not to identify LPTS or lpts urls in your answers and reference lists/bibliographies.
The PC (USA) Ordination Examinations Guide is to help you take the online ordination exams from anywhere you have Internet access. You may not have access to your Seminary library’s books in physical print format but the library's rich collections are still available to you as well as quality resources on the WWW.
The guide has three sections. Students who have registered for the exams and undertaken the Seminary workshop / training will already be familiar with the Examination Preparation Tools – a book, 2 videos, and an online FAQ – that the Preparation for Ministry has created and made available on the website of the Office of the General Assembly. The second section Study and Research Resources for Use Before and During the Exams is to help candidates taking the exam, during the time you are taking it. It lists resources for the four standard examinations of Exegesis, Polity, Theology, and Worship but has more resources especially for Exegesis. The third section Helpful Library Tutorials and Guides lists helpful materials in video and step by step screenshots for accessing the library's resources, as well as specialized help such as how to use the Scriptures authority in ATLA Religion Database to help with exegesis.
The Handbook on Ordination Examinations is designed to serve as a resource for inquirers/candidates, committees on preparation for ministry, committees on ministry, and ministers of other denominations who may be taking the PC(USA)’s ordination exams. Version: June 2019 / 3.0.
"Understanding and Preparing for the Bible Content Examination" provides a review of the role of the BCE in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s preparation for ministry process and some suggestions on the best ways to prepare for taking the test — ways that will not only assist you in fulfilling this requirement but also strengthen your ministry for years to come. (Revised June 2017) ~13 mins long
For more video resources, visit the Online Trainings page of the Office of Preparation for Ministry/Examinations.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions from the PC (USA) OGA website.
II. Study and Research Resources for Use Before and During the Exams
The Bible book for exegesis is Exodus this Spring. You can access and use full-texts in the following ways. Be aware that remote access login will be required.
Remote Access to Online Commentaries - Link to 5 full-text commentaries on Exodus. (login required)
Texts for Exegesis on Exodus Recommended by Prof. Justin Reed - Full-text access to 15 texts on Exodus recommended by Professor Justin Reed.(login required)
Open Access to Bibles of the WWW
Do not include a web address in your citations that indicates a library or commercial bibliographic database that is available only through subscription or library account (e.g. ezproxy.presbyseminary.edu). Especially be careful not to identify LPTS or lpts urls in your answers and reference lists/bibliographies.
Official Library website: http://library.lpts.edu/
Virtual Help Desk: library at lpts dot edu
This Guide has been prepared for Louisville Seminary students taking the exams in Spring 2020.
Prepared by Anita Coleman with help from faculty and library staff, shout out to Justin, Carolyn, Tyler, Cliff, especially! 04/15/20, Feast of St. George, Slayer of Dragons!
Introduction
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| Feast of St. George, Slayer of Dragons |
Do not include a web address in your citations that indicates a library or commercial bibliographic database that is available only through subscription or library account (e.g. ezproxy.presbyseminary.edu). Especially be careful not to identify LPTS or lpts urls in your answers and reference lists/bibliographies.
The PC (USA) Ordination Examinations Guide is to help you take the online ordination exams from anywhere you have Internet access. You may not have access to your Seminary library’s books in physical print format but the library's rich collections are still available to you as well as quality resources on the WWW.
The guide has three sections. Students who have registered for the exams and undertaken the Seminary workshop / training will already be familiar with the Examination Preparation Tools – a book, 2 videos, and an online FAQ – that the Preparation for Ministry has created and made available on the website of the Office of the General Assembly. The second section Study and Research Resources for Use Before and During the Exams is to help candidates taking the exam, during the time you are taking it. It lists resources for the four standard examinations of Exegesis, Polity, Theology, and Worship but has more resources especially for Exegesis. The third section Helpful Library Tutorials and Guides lists helpful materials in video and step by step screenshots for accessing the library's resources, as well as specialized help such as how to use the Scriptures authority in ATLA Religion Database to help with exegesis.
I. Examination Preparation Tools
Book
The Handbook on Ordination Examinations - DOWNLOAD (PDF)The Handbook on Ordination Examinations is designed to serve as a resource for inquirers/candidates, committees on preparation for ministry, committees on ministry, and ministers of other denominations who may be taking the PC(USA)’s ordination exams. Version: June 2019 / 3.0.
Videos
“Taking Online Ordination Exams” is a video that demonstrates how to access the examinations website and to navigate through an online exam from beginning to end. It also addresses some special considerations related to different operating system and browser configurations, and the use of mobile or tablet computing devices. (Updated March 2019) ~12 mins long"Understanding and Preparing for the Bible Content Examination" provides a review of the role of the BCE in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s preparation for ministry process and some suggestions on the best ways to prepare for taking the test — ways that will not only assist you in fulfilling this requirement but also strengthen your ministry for years to come. (Revised June 2017) ~13 mins long
For more video resources, visit the Online Trainings page of the Office of Preparation for Ministry/Examinations.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions from the PC (USA) OGA website.
II. Study and Research Resources for Use Before and During the Exams
a. Resources for Church Polity,
Theological Competence, and Worship and Sacraments Exams
These exams require test takers to
use the published and/or PDF (Adobe Acrobat) editions of the Book of Order
(2019-2020) and the Book of Confessions
(2016) as appropriate. These books and more are available from the PC(USA) Book
of Order info website: http://bookoforder.info/
b. Resources for Exegesis
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT HOW TO CITE EBOOKS AND E-RESOURCES FOR THE ORDINATION EXAMS (Updated 04/23/20):
Do not include a web address in your citations that indicates a library or commercial bibliographic database that is available only through subscription or library account (e.g. ezproxy.presbyseminary.edu). Especially be careful not to identify LPTS or lpts urls in your answers and reference lists/bibliographies.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT HOW TO CITE EBOOKS AND E-RESOURCES FOR THE ORDINATION EXAMS (Updated 04/23/20):
Do not include a web address in your citations that indicates a library or commercial bibliographic database that is available only through subscription or library account (e.g. ezproxy.presbyseminary.edu). Especially be careful not to identify LPTS or lpts urls in your answers and reference lists/bibliographies.
The Bible book for exegesis is Exodus this Spring. You can access and use full-texts in the following ways. Be aware that remote access login will be required.
Remote Access to Online Commentaries - Link to 5 full-text commentaries on Exodus. (login required)
Texts for Exegesis on Exodus Recommended by Prof. Justin Reed - Full-text access to 15 texts on Exodus recommended by Professor Justin Reed.(login required)
Remote Access to Databases and
Indexes in the Library - Login required
If you need help with this, consult the Remote Access to Commentaries and ATLA Religion Database for Exegesis: A Pictorial Guide to learn how to access these and yet more exegetical materials.Open Access to Bibles of the WWW
- · Oremus Bible Browser (English, NRSV)
- · Online Hebrew Interlinear Bible (OT)
- · Online Greek Interlinear Bible (NT)
Online Openly Available Tools on the WWW
- Bible Gateway. Searches may be performed on passages or words in one or more versions.Among the English versions included are Darby, King James, New American Standard, New International, New King James, Worldwide English, Young’s Literal Translation. It also includes Bibles in over 30 other languages. <http://www.biblegateway.com>
- Bible Study Tools. Searches may be performed on verses or word/phrase. The versions include: American Standard, Bible in Basic English, Douay-Rheims, King James, King James with Strong’s Numbers, Latin Vulgate, New American Standard, New Living, New Revised Standard, Revised Standard, Today’s English, Webster’s, Young’s Literal Translation. Interlinear as well as parallel displays are possible. Strong’s Concordance and Greek and Hebrew lexicons are also included. <http://www.biblestudytools.com/>
- Blue Letter Bible. Versions include American Standard, King James, Revised Standard and the Vulgate. Greek and Hebrew as well as multiple version displays are possible. Also includes hymns, maps and images keyed to verses. <http://www.blueletterbible.org>
- Bible Odyssey (Society of Biblical Literature) Offers the complete text of three Bibles: the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), the Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures, and the King James Version (KJV) and tools such as a searchable Harper Collins Dictionary, timeline gallery and more, There is a big difference between Bible study, which happens in a religious setting, and study of the Bible, which happens in an academic one. Bible Odyssey addresses not only the literacy gap but also the gap between the academy and the “street.” Why should Bible scholars have all the fun? Wouldn’t you like to know about the Synoptic Question, or about J, E, P, and D? <http://www.bibleodyssey.org/>
- Semantics of Ancient Hebrew Database (University of Edinburgh)- Prof. Tyler Mayfield recommends you use your Lexicons for the exam. This is a technical tool and may be difficult to use unless you are familiar with it.
- Remote Access to Electronic Resources in the Library by Ken Schuck, MDiv, 2023
- Remote Access to Commentaries and ATLA Religion Database for Exegesis of Exodus: A Pictorial Guide
- Remote Ebook Access Pictorial Guide by Rachel Lemke, MDiv 2021
- How to Use Google Scholar by Donna Phillips, MDiv 2015, MAMFT 2020
- With Much Love From E.M. White Library, Library blog during the time of COVID-19 with quick links to all digital library resources and services.
Do not include a web address in your citations that indicates a library or commercial bibliographic database that is available only through subscription or library account (e.g. ezproxy.presbyseminary.edu). Especially be careful not to identify LPTS or lpts urls in your answers and reference lists/bibliographies.
Official Library website: http://library.lpts.edu/
Virtual Help Desk: library at lpts dot edu
This Guide has been prepared for Louisville Seminary students taking the exams in Spring 2020.
Prepared by Anita Coleman with help from faculty and library staff, shout out to Justin, Carolyn, Tyler, Cliff, especially! 04/15/20, Feast of St. George, Slayer of Dragons!
