Dear all we have been somewhat busy traveling the island not for fun but for various other reason. I realize that there maybe some confusion about Jenny’s current situation so I will clear that up.
In May Jenny took a placement test for a masters degree at the PE college in Taichung. She passed the test and then went through the interview and she got in. At the same time she has been looking for a teaching position. When she applies for a teaching position she also has to take a test. In my last report I said she was going to Taichung for a test that was for a teaching position. She did not make it to the interview stage. Since then she has taken at least two more test; one was this weekend. She has a test in Kaohsiung next Sunday (most are on Sundays) and then the day after she has one in Chiayi, about an hour south of Taichung. Do you get the feeling that every school has their own test? It seems like they do; she missed several tests last summer when we were in America. Sometimes the school announces the test 1-2 weeks before so you have little chance to prepare. They make their own test on what ever they want also. Jenny will go to Taipei in July to take a test that all schools island wide will have access to. Why don’t all schools just use that test? No bear in mind they take 6-12 people for interviews so if you pass the test you still have to back for an interview. But, before you can even take the test you usually have to apply in person so you have to make at least two trips to the school before the interview! The weekend that Jenny did not have a test in Taichung she was there applying for two tests. As you can tell I am quite perplexed by this system because it seems to defy logic; make one test in the three big cities can call it a day. This country loves tests! !here is a test for everything! Once a month from grade one to grade 12 there is a big test (three days worth). A test for primary school students to see which middle schools they can go to. Then a test for what high school middle schoolers can go to; the results limit students more than the SAT limits an American student’s choice of college there is no flexibility, basically tyhe results tell you what school you go to. Then there is of course a test for what college you go to. Then you have to test to get into the major you want and if you want to change majors you take another test. With all these tests you would think you would be done once you have graduated college but no you have to test for certification in your professional area (in most cases) and then I am sure companies giving tests to applicants is common. I can see where every school having their own tests comes from but I also know it would no sweat for them to arrange a mass test in several cities; they do it all the time. Under the current system we cannot go anywhere, i.e. out of country, because we don’t know when or where the next test will be. I would love it if a school would schedule a test in Thailand or Korea or Hongkong. I would gladly make that trip!
Two weekends ago we had a day of cricket in Pingtung there are photos and a write up on on the cricket team website. I scored 17 runs. Is that good? My average has been 2 so for me that is quite good. This weekend’s cricket was rained out so hopefully we can play next weekend.
Amanda is doing fine. She is making the ‘indian’ ah wa wa wa sound and buzing here lips and flipping her fingers across them. She grabs everything she can reach but is getting better at listening.
I will get pictures up soon.
~Kyle
Tests, tests, and more tests. Are we sure that the Taiwanese are not all secretly presbyterian? Really, as I was listening to the travails of receiving a teaching job on the isla formosa, and I will happily admit that the two of you have more tests ahead of you than the average presbyterian preacher, I just couldn’t help but think of what it takes to be a preacher in the PCA or the EPC. Aside from the normal curriculum and english bible exam we also have several levels of tests before we can attain to the pastorate. At my school we have to memorize the Westminster Shorter Catechism (before anyone gasps, even Piper is a fan of sections of this teaching device, look it up) and fulfill a minimum number of ministry hours, under supervision, while in school, which I suspect to be common to most seminaries. Outside of school, we have to apply to the elders of our local church to “come under care,” which is to come under their leadership and guidance as they asses the individuals calling. After this a person must come under care of the local presbytery (a presbytery is a representative gathering of the elders of all the churches in a geographic region, somewhat like a state convention) where they may ask questions of the student, and test theological stances and scriptural knowledge even before the individual has graduated. Post graduation, the ministry candidate must be called to a church, so that he can then be examined, and tested by that local presbytery to see if he fits the academic qualifications for preaching in a church in that area. That testing involves an oral exam where he may be questioned on straight up biblical knowledge, theology, church history, polity, or what-not, by any elder who is present at the presbytery meeting. As well, many presbyteries will require the submission of an exegesis paper, often times on a passage of scripture which has been assigned to the pastor, and which must be written within a limited amount of time, and then reviewed by all members of the presbytery. This process can take a little while.
After getting the approval of a specific presbytery, the session (ruling elders) of any church that is local to the presbytery may then begin their own search into the qualifications of the ministry candidate in question. More questions, sometimes more tests, and on occasion, even another exegesis paper must be submitted to each church that may have an opening, before it will seriously look at an individual as a future pastor. Of course, they also look at sermons, do background checks, call references, strive to figure out personality and gifts, and all the normal footwork, but all of that should be common to any church looking for a pastor. If he is hired, good, if not, well, if he moves to another presbytery, more oral exams, papers, and what-not await.
I am glad I want to be a missionary!
Great to hear from you guys and congrats on all the runs in the cricket match Kyle. I wish I could stop by Taiwan while in China, but it seems that my money is lacking! Ay-oh!
Greetings Amanda and Jenny!
IN Christ,
Daniel E.