Monday, July 27, 2009

Adventures in Ordination

I went to the Presbytery meeting.

No theological questions are permitted at this point -- not until next year. At this point, the questions are supposed to be about your call, spiritual experience, seminary, things like that. I had spent considerable time mulling over the statement I had submitted, trying to see it through different eyes and imagine what questions people might have.

I was asked four questions. One on call and three theological. None on anything I had written.

After the third question, someone in the congregation finally objected. But the fourth one was also theological, albeit better disguised as something personal.

I'm now a candidate in the ordination process.

But I can't say that I'm feeling too terrific.

And I have a Hebrew final in 59 hours.

8 comments:

Elaine (aka...Purple) said...

Congrats on making it through this hoop of the process. I don't know if I continue to be "amazed" or "frustrated" with the questions asked at this point the candidacy process.

As to Hebrew...I will always remember "tent"...ohell.

Gannet Girl said...

Purple, thank you for your wonderful help!

Teri said...

congrats on hoop jumping!

as a member of a cpm in another presbytery, though, I want to know where YOURS was? Why weren't they stopping the inappropriate questions? That's their JOB.... (sigh) sorry people were not helping you out. hope the next year is a good one.

Carol said...

Congratulations! Ohell is right as to the people who asked inappropriate questions--they should have been banished from the tent! You can do this, GG, I know you can.

Jody Harrington said...

Sorry about the inappropriate questions. However, I think its good you got questions. Often I've seen no questions coming from the presbytery which makes me wonder whether they were satisfied with the candidate's statement and the work of CPM or just asleep?

Blessings on your next steps along the path!

Althea N. Agape said...

Purple, I always liked burnt offering: hola! like "Hi, God!" in spanish.

Congrats GG! as to the Hebrew final -- my word verification is besores Hebrew can definitely besore one.

Jules said...

Reading yet another story about a room full of elders and ministers not going along with the process makes me crazy!

Before every examination for candidacy, our moderator (whomever that person has been) very carefully explains what may and may not be asked, and there are always 1 or 2 numbskulls who break the rules! As Teri pointed out, usually CPM is on their feet calling 'point of order' before the question is finished.

I'm very glad you passed into candidacy! The church is blessed!

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

Congratulations on making it through this stage. Sorry about the frustration of the inappropriate process.