Rules of Procedure Related to Candidates
1. The letter of call to a candidate must indicate the
provisional nature of this call until the classical examination
has been sustained.
2. The date of ordination shall be officially announced only
after the candidate has passed the examination.
3. The candidate shall preach a sermon on a text assigned by
classis, in an official worship service in the presence of
classical representatives, preferably on the Sunday preceding the
meeting of classis, and in the calling church.
4. A copy of the candidate’s sermon shall be provided by classis
to the synodical deputies and to the delegates to classis.
5. In addition to the required sermon on an assigned text, the
candidate shall submit to each of the sermon critics of classis
copies of two other sermons which were preached as a student, one
based on a Scripture text and the other on a Lord’s Day of the
Heidelberg Catechism. The combination of Scripture texts should
include both the Old and the New Testament. These sermons shall
not include those which have been used in practice preaching, or
for academic evaluation, in the seminary.
(Acts of Synod 1975, p. 90)
6. Synod advises the classes, with reference to the credentials required by classes, that synod’s declaration of candidacy may be taken to certify that the candidates have met the requirements for candidacy. No further inquiry into these matters need ordinarily be made by a classis at the examination for ordination.
(Acts of Synod 1978, p. 24)
(Amended Acts of Synod 2009, p. 583)
7. Four classical delegates shall be appointed as the official
examiners, two to function as sermon critics and to be present at
the worship service in which the total sermon is being preached,
and two to conduct the actual examination at the time classis
meets.
8. Synod adopted the following schedule for classical
examination:
a. Introduction: a classical examiner shall introduce the
candidate to the classis.
b. The examination proper shall consist of inquiry into three
main areas as follows:
1) Practica (no time limit)
a) The classical examiner shall inquire into the candidate’s
relationship to God and commitment to the ministry, the
candidate’s understanding of the meaning and relevance of the
ministry for our times, loyalty to the church, and related
matters.
b) The synodical deputies and delegates shall have opportunity to
ask additional questions.
c) Before proceeding to the next area of inquiry, a motion to
proceed shall carry.
2) Sermon Evaluation
a) In the presence of the candidate, the written sermon shall be
evaluated, and attention shall be given to the candidate’s manner
of conducting a worship service.
b) Additional questions with reference to the sermon and its
delivery shall be allowed.
c) Before proceeding to the next area, a motion to proceed shall
carry with the concurrence of the synodical deputies.
3) Biblical and Theological Position (minimum, thirty
minutes per candidate)
a) The examiner shall inquire into the candidate’s biblical and
theological judgment, competence, and soundness.
b) Opportunity shall be provided for additional questions (no
specific time limit).
c. Procedure for admitting to the ministry:
1) A motion to admit shall be received and given preliminary
consideration in executive session.
2) Prayer for the guidance of the Holy Spirit shall be
offered.
3) The synodical deputies shall leave the floor to prepare their
recommendation.
4) The classis shall vote by ballot.
5) The synodical deputies shall offer their written statement,
from which it will become evident whether or not they can concur
with the decision of classis.
6) In the event they do not concur, the classis and the synodical
deputies may try to reach a unified decision.
7) In the event that agreement cannot be reached between them,
the matter is automatically referred to the synod for final
adjudication.
(Acts of Synod 1972, pp. 44-46)