To help fulfill this obligation, the Examinations Committee of the Committee on Ministry provides the following questions as representative of the questions asked of ministers and candidates who seek membership in New Hope Presbytery.

1. Theology
   1. Biblical
      1. If you had to state it in a few sentences, what would you say the Bible teachers? What scriptural themes and/or texts would you use to support your answer?
      2. Trace the theme of "covenant" through the Bible. How, if at all, does the idea of covenant change from the Old to the New Testament?
      3. Choose one of Paul's letters. Give a broad outline of the structure of the letter which will illustrate what you believe to be the major theme of that letter.
      4. Identify some major themes of the prophetic books and indicate how you would treat these themes in your preaching.
      5. How did Paul relate "grace" and "law" in his writings?
      6. Briefly explain the synoptic problem. How would you answer someone who said "The fact that the four gospels differ in places, even the fact that we have four gospels, is a stumbling block for me."
      7. What would you say to who said, "I don't understand how the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament can be one and the same. One seems to be angry and vengeful, the other one kind and loving."? What scripture texts would you use to demonstrate and proclaim the unity of God between the two Testatments?
      8. Many people are put off by the book of Revelation because it scares them or they don't understand the symbolism and imagery. What characteristics of apocalyptic writing are important for us as 20th century Christians to understand? Why is the book of Revelation important for Christians of all times?
      9. Genesis 1-11 is sometimes refereed to as "myth". How do these stories of primeval history introduce the rest of the biblical story?
   2. Doctrinal
      1. How so you understand the Bible's authority? how does this understanding inform your practice of ministry?
      2. What is theology? What is your theological method? How do you functions as a theologian?
      3. Share your theological understanding of God, the human predicament, and redemption. What Bible texts undergird your doctrine of salvation?
      4. Share your view and understanding of Christ's birth, miracles, teaching, crucifixion, and resurrection. What Old and New Testament texts inform you Christology?
      5. What are the essential tenets of the Reformed tradition?
      6. What is your understanding of sin, including original sin and actual sin? What continuity and/or difference is there between Old and New Testament treatments of sin and its effects?
      7. How does the doctrine of the Trinity inform your understanding of the nature of God? What scriptural foundations are there for the Trinity?
      8. Explain the doctrine of predestination and its relationship to the Reformed doctrine of justification by grace through faith.
      9. What is the nature and mission of the church?
      10. What is your view of the church's involvement in public affairs? Which prophetic or gospel texts speak most clearly to you about this subject?
      11. How do you view Christianity in relation to the religions of the world? How do the mission mandates in the gospels and epistles inform your understanding of ecumenicity and world religions?
      12. What are the implications of the Presbyterian Church being a confessional church?
   3. Worship and Sacraments
      1. What are the key elements of Presbyterian worship? Outline the order of worship recommended by the Book of Order.
      2. What is a sacrament? What is the relation of the Sacraments in the church?
      3. What is the nature and functions of Baptism in the life of the church? What New Testament texts speak directly to the topic of Baptism? What scriptural warrants are there for infant Baptism?
      4. What is the nature and function to the Lord's Supper in the church?
      5. What training or instruction have you found helpful for parents of children receiving the Sacraments?
      6. What role does inclusive language play in the faithful worship of the church?
      7. Do you view the Lord's Supper primarily as a glad celebration or a solemn observance? Why?
   4. Church Government
      1. Discuss the role of the session in the life of the church and the relation of the pastor and associate pastor to the session.
      2. Why should we be concerned with good order? Does your theology actually inform the working process of the church? What scriptural basis do you find for the Presbyterian form of church government?
      3. What is your obligation toward a majority action or stance of a church governing body when you oppose the action or stance?
      4. If a candidate under the care of presbytery announces that he or she does not accept the baptism of infants or the ordination of women, yet still wishes to be ordained, what action do you think the presbytery should take?
      5. What training would you recommend for elders and deacons prior to ordination and/or installation?
      6. What is your view of ordination? What Old and New Testament texts inform your understanding of ordination and the relationship between clergy and laity?