Presbyterian Ordination Exams Must Not Cause Harm

Presbyterian Ordination Exams Must Not Cause Harm

Started
February 2, 2023
Signatures: 1,326Next Goal: 1,500
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Why this petition matters

Started by Elana Keppel Levy

     [CW: Sexual Assault, Abuse, Violence, Murder]

      We, the undersigned, object to the choice of Judges 19 (commonly called “The Levite’s Concubine”) as the Hebrew Exegesis text for the PC (USA) Hebrew Exegesis Exam. While it is a vital skill for pastors to be able to interpret, teach, and preach from scripture, stories that feature extreme violence and sexual violence cause harm for both test takers and readers.

We are enjoined to “speak out on behalf of the voiceless, and for the rights of all who are vulnerable” in Proverbs 31:8. Those who have experienced violence and sexual violence often suffer from PTSD for years, if not the rest of their lives. Being forced to read and intensely focus on stories like this is likely to be a trauma trigger. Symptoms of these triggers include intense anxiety, depression, hypervigilance, difficulty concentrating, and more. How can we, in good conscience, create conditions detrimental to test taking itself and call it reasonable examination and evaluation of those who would be pastors? It is tantamount to hazing.  

Sexual violence happens in epidemic proportions in this country. The Department of Justice reports that “1 in 4 women and 1 out of 6 men are sexually abused in their lifetime.”[i] This issue is not abstract for members of our church or members of our society; it is personal. As a church, we absolutely have a duty to care for those who have been victimized, to advocate for justice, to learn how to heal spiritually, and to wrestle with biblical texts. Ensuring that candidates have a trauma-informed education about how to deal with and respond to these matters is crucial. However, this will not be effectively accomplished in a high pressure, high stakes examination.

As a church, we have taken on the responsibility of shepherding our members and those who feel called to become pastors. In Jeremiah 23:4 God promises: “I will place over them shepherds who will care for them. Then they will no longer be afraid or dread harm, nor will any be missing, declares the Lord.” Christ tells us that his yoke is easy and his burden is light. Our examinations must not cause fear and harm.

We are asking for a formal apology from the Presbyteries’ Cooperative Committee on Examinations for Candidates and a commitment from that committee to agree to oversight from a person or persons who have authority to act to prevent such harm from ever happening again.

 

We urge you to SIGN THIS PETITION in compassion, in anger, in grief, and in hope that we as a church can do better and we must do better.


 
[i] https://centerforfamilyjustice.org/community-education/statistics/

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Signatures: 1,326Next Goal: 1,500
Support now
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