The Rev. Beth Garrod-Logsdon, chair of the committee’s Bible Task Group, says many “tough talks” and prayers occurred about using Judges 19 for the exegetical exam. Throughout the conversations, she notes, “it became a sense of yes, for some reason we are being called to put this Scripture forward.” Garrod-Logsdon refutes the notion that the group intended to cause harm.
Candidates who didn’t complete that test are being offered the opportunity to take a different one this spring, at no additional cost. During an annual meeting next month, the committee will accept comments during a rare open session.
“We believe this is an issue of great importance to the church and has intersected other important issues,” says Lowry. “Our only goal is to create exams that allow our candidates to demonstrate their readiness for ministry,” providing the church with “a new generation of great leaders.”
