Evening star., 1963-05-18
Presbyterians
Weigh Exams
For Ministers
BY CASPAR NAMES
Star Staff Writer

ObdAO OdllOlOdbCO 4Ol Vic
ministry Of United Presbyterian
Church. United States Of Amer
lea, may be required to take
standardized examinations such
as law and medical students
face If a motion before the de-
nominations General Assembly
is approved.
The proposal, whose first step
is expected to reach the assem-
bly, floor today, aims at safe
guarding the denominations
traditional insistence upon a
scholarly ministry "in these
times Of rapid change and ex-
panding knowledge"
In presenting the motion ask
ing that a committee be ap-
pointed to study the possibility
Of such tests, the Presbytery Of
San Francisco hit at the prac-
tice of students shopping around
for "a less exacting Presbytery
to examine them"
The proposal would also
establish a national board to
study and revise continuously
the suggested standardized ex-
aminations.
A report on the National
Presbyterian Church In WASH
ington was referred to the Bills
and Overtures Committee yes
terday by the $40 elder and
ministerial commissioners at
tending the 175th General
Assembly in Veterans Memorial
Auditorium.
The statement, to be brought
to the assembly next week,
asks that local officers Of the
church be authorized to pro-
coed Immediately in building
the same from resources avail
able to them from local church
members, individuals, founda-
tions in the erection Of the
national church building, and
proceeds from the sale Of their
present properties and any
other assets"
1t also requests an appropri-
alton Of $4,000 from the
assembly's 1864 budget so the
National Presbyterian Center's
program. in connection with the
church, may be advanced by
hiring a director.
In 1859, National Presby-
terian Church announced that
property had been purchased
at 1900 Massachusetts avenue
NV, for a proposed new
church and center. Approval OF
the venture has to be given
by the national body before
further steps can be taken. The
historic congregation is now al
Connecticut avenue and Eight
eenth street NV.
The Rev. Silas @. Kessler
newly elected moderator of the
United Presbyterian Church
yesterday told a press confer
ence "the things that have hap
pened since the Vatican Council
had its first session are most
significant"
I'VE are seeing in our life.
time things we had not expected
to see for 100 years. All we car
talk about at present is climate
but this matter of having con.
Versations is most encouragins
and revealing because we have
found we can talk together anc
even act together"
Hope that the Presbyterian
Church, U. S. (Southern) anc
the United Presbyterian
Church, divided in 1853 By
Civil War issues, may come to,
gether into one body some day
was voiced yesterday by thu
Rev. William r. Sengal Of AL
exandria. Va, minister Of tht
Old Meeting House there.
DR.. Kessler took note Of MI
Sengal's speech, saying ain tn,
light Of the comment OF tn
fraternal delegate Of the Pres
byterian Church, U. S., I hav,
renewed hope that something
shall be done to heal thi
breach that started at the Civi
War"
DR.. Eugene Carson Blake
stated clerk Of the United Pres
byterian Church, expressed
hope the four denomination
. holding conversations abou
possible merger may be able t,
. write a plan Of union" in twI
years "or else we will hav
found no union Is possible"
The four denominations tina
have held talks since the pro
posal for merger was set fort
by DR.. Blake in 1860 at Sal
Francisco are the Methods
. Church, 10 million members
Protestant Episcopal Church
3.3 million members; Unite,
Church Of Christ, 80 milliol
. members and United Presby
terian Church 80 milliol
members.
]. Irwin Miller. president o
. the National Council o
Churches. will address the as
sembly at an ecumenical serv
! Ice Of worship tomorrow. Tn
! assembly, which opened Thurs
day. will close Wednesday.