The Handbook on Ordination Examinations
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 2017/2.4
- Topics: Education
- Tags: examinations, exams, handbook, ordination
- Departments: Preparation for Ministry
- Agency: Office of the General Assembly
Changes to the Book of Order are always listed in the front matter (they are on the second page of the Preface in the 2013-2015 edition) and displayed in bold type in each new edition.
by Tim Cargal
August 12, 2013
This latest version of the Handbook still says that the 2011-2013 Book of Order should be used, so I was surprised to receive the email today stating that we must use the new 2013-2015 edition. Is there a list availalbe of what changes have been made to the 2013-2015 edition compared to the 2011-2013 edition?
by Karol
August 12, 2013
PCC guidelines exclude use of the "study edition" of the Book of Confessions. You must use the edition published as "Part I" of the constitution. Candidates must also use the edition of the Book of Order that is current at the time of the exam. As of July 7, 2013, the current edition is the 2013-2015 edition.
by Tim Cargal
PC(USA) Staff
July 24, 2013
Are we able to use the study edition of the book of confessions? Also, will this coming exam use the 2011/2013 book of order or 2013/2015?
by Jordan Buck
July 24, 2013
A question was submitted asking about copying Greek or Hebrew words from other websites into answers on the online exam system. In checking the submissions on the exam servers, I found that in some instances the Unicode transferred fine but in other cases some additional HTML code from the other website was copied in as well (such as embedded addresses for other websites, information about parts of speech for the words copied, source materials, etc.). While this stray HTML code did not create any serious problems when the answers were displayed in the readers' section of the exam system, it did introduce some links and "mouseover" behaviors that were unintended. We continue to advise those taking the Exegesis exam to follow the guidelines in the handbook and encouraged in the training videos. If you have activated the necessary Greek or Hebrew keyboards for inputting Unicode through your computer's operating system "language" settings and are familiar with their use, then use those means for entering Greek or Hebrew text. Otherwise, simply transliterate the words following the SBL general purpose transliteration scheme (provided in the handbook on pp. 87-88). Answers that supply only transliteration will not be evaluated differently than those that have both Greek or Hebrew orthography and transliteration.
by Tim Cargal
August 30, 2012
It is possible that if you had downloaded the earlier edition that your computer is loading the file from its cache rather than making a fresh download. Try "refreshing" this page in your browser and then clicking the "Download PDF" button again.
by Tim Cargal
August 20, 2012
Dear Tim, I am able to download the Handbook, version "2012 Release 1.2" but can't find 1.3.1. Any idea what I might be doing wrong? Thank you. Cindy
by Cynthia Towle Kephart
August 20, 2012
The process for "saving" the Handbook will depend on your Internet browser and its settings. When you click on the "Download PDF" button above, some browser configurations will ask if you want to "open" or "save" the file. In those cases, choose "save." Other browsers may use a "plug-in" that opens the PDF directly in the browser window. In those cases you will want to use either the "plug-in" "Save" function or your browser's "File" and "Save as..." functions. Still other processes may be possible depending on your computer's set-up.
by Tim Cargal
PC(USA) Staff
July 13, 2012
what good is the handbook if you can "download it" but not save it? What am I missing?
by henry paris
July 12, 2012