PC (USA) Ordination Examinations Guide
Introduction
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| Feast of St. George, Slayer of Dragons |
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.
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
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.
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
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.
III. Helpful Library Tutorials and Guides
- 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.
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.
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!
