A board of studies, and a committee on studies, under the direction of the board have varying responsibilities in overseeing the choice, preparation and placement of students for the ministry of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI).
The board has the responsibility for interviewing and assessing candidates for the ministry, overseeing the pastoral care of students in all locations of study, and providing in-service courses for licentiates (those whose course has been completed and have been licensed to preach, and are eligible for `call' to a congregation).
The board interviewed 11 candidates for the ministry in 1998, eight of whom were commended for acceptance to the church's general assembly in June.
Exercising its remit, the board constantly reviews the number of licentiates eligible for a "call". It was happy recently to project a slight over-supply, which augurs well for the ministry until the year 2001, although the retirement patterns of ministers could affect the position adversely.
However, a projection from 2001 to 2004, which may be made with a reasonable degree of accuracy, suggests an appreciable and perhaps worrying under supply.
This continues to be a major concern of the board, which requires the church to take notice so that, in time, opportunities for ministry and mission may not be missed because of a shortage of ministerial candidates.
The committee on studies with its director of ministerial studies gives advice to prospective candidates for the ministry, sets courses and administers examinations in accordance with the regulations of the general assembly.
It reports that in the academic year 1997/98, 44 students were preparing for the ministry and under the care of the presbyteries. Six students were permitted to undertake part of their theological courses in such universities/colleges as Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Princeton, USA, and Regent College, Canada.
Study in missionary partnership is encouraged. Students may spend one of their three years in theological study or a year out studying in a country where PCI is a partner in mission. The issue overseas churches contend with are often different from those met at home.
It is suggested that absorption in local practices may result in "following social conventions rather than responding to challenges of the gospel". Students have studied with inspiration and enlightenment in St Paul's United Theological College, Limura: in the United Theological College, Jamaica and in Trinity Theological College, Singapore.
Ministerial holiday-makers in the month of August in search of a "good read" couldn't do better than get a copy of Darach MacDonald's first novel The Sons of Levi, Drumlin Press, Monaghan, £16.99. MacDonald writes with authority about an estimated 70,000 Protestants, mostly Ulster-Scot stock as distinct from Anglo-Southern unionists, caused to live in an Irish Free State which at Partition included three Ulster counties.
Many of these small farmers, shopkeepers, tradesmen and labourers felt betrayed when the Ulster Unionist Council in March 1920 opted for six "safe" counties. Unable to forsake their historical legacy and culture, many of them were signatories to the Ulster Solemn League and Covenant.
In particular The Sons of Levi is a story of families, Armstrong and Hall, adherence to tenaciously-held Orange traditions; a love story in a political maelstrom, and it may be regarded as having lessons for our times.