Bishop's Note:The Examination

Bishop Eric Menees

Dear brothers and sisters, I pray that this Bishop’s Note finds you safe and well! In the last Bishop’s Note we looked at the exhortation in the Form and Manner of Ordaining Deacons (p. 472,) this week we’ll continue our examination by looking at the examination.

The Bishop examines the Ordinands as follows Will you take up this charge gladly and willingly? Answer    I will, the Lord being my helper. Bishop     Do you trust that you are inwardly moved by the Holy Spirit to take upon yourself this Office and ministry, to serve God for the promoting of his glory and the edifying of his people? Answer    I do so trust. Bishop     Do you believe that you are truly called, according to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in accordance with the Canons of this Church, to this Office and ministry? Answer    I do so believe. Bishop    Are you persuaded that the Holy Scriptures contain all things necessary for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ? Answer    I am so persuaded. Bishop    Will you diligently read these Scriptures to the people assembled in the church where you are appointed to serve? Answer    I will. Bishop    Will you be diligent to frame and fashion your own lives [and the lives of your families], according to the Doctrine of Christ, and to make yourselves [and    them, as much as you are able], wholesome examples and patterns to the flock of Christ? Answer   I will, the Lord being my helper. Bishop    Will you reverently obey your Bishop and other Ministers who, according to the Canons of the Church, may have charge and authority over you, following with a glad mind and a good will their godly admonitions, and submitting yourself to their godly judgments? Answer    I will, the Lord being my helper. The Congregation may kneel, and prays silently for the fulfillment of these purposes. The Bishop prays Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who has given you a good will to do all these things, grant you also the strength and power to perform them, accomplishing in you the good work which he has begun, that you may be found perfect and without reproach on the last day; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Ordinands kneel or lie prostrate, facing the Bishop. The Veni, Creator Spiritus (page 492) or other hymn to the Holy Spirit may be sung or said as a prayer for the renewal of the Church.

Many of us when we think of exams automatically flash back to the ones we took in high school or college. Those exams were there to test our knowledge of a subject. Having an “examination” in this spot may lead people to think of the training for ordination as primarily intellectual or academic, but this shows that’s not the case. Part of their preparation for ordination is of course academic, but it’s so much more than that. The person being examined isn’t being asked questions to gauge their knowledge, but rather to gauge how they will shape their life in ordained ministry. They’re being asked if they believe their calling is from God rather than themselves, if they believe Scripture contains all things necessary for salvation, if they will read scripture regularly, if they will shape their lives around scripture, and if they’ll obey those in authority in the church. They’re being asked to live lives grounded in scripture, but fleshed out in a way that’s so much more than just knowledge. This is true for not only deacons and other clergy, but all of us as Christians. Being a Christian isn’t about giving the proper answer when prompted, it’s about shaping your life around God and his revelation. I pray you all have a blessed Sunday!