Templated Outlines for Ordination Papers

Templated Outlines for Ordination Papers

Templated Outlines for Ordination Papers & Sermons

Eastern Canadian District of the C&MA

(Updated November 15th, 2006)

As you are aware, each ordinand is required to submit four (4) theologically researched papers on the following subjects:

1)Divine Healing

2)Pneumatology (The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit)

3)The Scriptures

4)The Church

In order to facilitate consistency and as an aid to preparing these papers, the following guidelines are to be strictly adhered to. Failure to do so will result in an unacceptable grade which will then require a rewrite of such paper(s).

General Guidelines

  • These papers are research papers, not pastoral admonitions or sermons.
  • Research means demonstrating interaction with a variety of sources and references that are considered theological in nature.
  • Research grapples with significant issues and demonstrates awareness of differing points of view, while at the same time formulating your own conclusions on the subject.
  • Each paper should be 8-10 pages in length, double spaced, and size 12 font. The sources cited page is not considered a part of the 8-10 pages.
  • Each paper should be properly footnoted.
  • Each paper should demonstrate interaction with at least ten (10) well chosen sources of reference.
  • Every effort to avoid grammatical and spelling errors should be taken.
  • Each paper should be carefully proofread before submission.
  • Candidates are well advised to work with the District Office in the preparation of a schedule which would result in a book being read and a paper submitted at least every three months. A target completion date for all work should be the end of the second year of ministry.

Specific Templates

  1. Divine Healing(please use the following outline for your paper)
  1. Introduction and scope [tell us what you are going to address in the paper]
  2. An overview of the subject of healing in the Old Testament and the New Testament.
  3. Interaction and explanation for specific texts related to the subject (e.g. Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 8:14-17; 1 Corinthians 12:28; James 5:13-16; 1 Peter 2:24).
  4. Dealing with Specific issues:
  5. Healing as rooted in the character & heart of God
  6. How is “faith” connected to healing?
  7. Influence or sin on sickness & healing
  8. Why are some people not healed?
  9. Jesus as our healer (our union with Jesus; receiving His risen life & fullness; the Holy Spirit’s role in this
  10. Conclusions and Applications.
  1. Pneumatology(The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit)
  1. Introduction and scope [tell us what you are going to address in the paper]
  2. An overview of the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament and the New Testament (N.B. give special attention to deity of the Spirit)
  3. Define and explain “the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, the filling of the Holy Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit, blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, and sanctification.” Give special attention to the following texts: Matthew 12:31; John 14-16; Acts 1:4, 8; Acts 2; Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:5; 5:18.
  4. Explain the nature of spiritual gifts, giving careful attention to the gift of tongues, prophecy, and word of knowledge.
  5. Conclusions and Applications.
  1. The Scriptures
  1. Introduction and scope [tell us what you are going to address in the paper]
  2. An overview of the canon of Scripture with special attention given to church councils that dealt with the canon. Address the formation of the Old Testament and when it was recognized in history. Also demonstrate an understanding of the different genres of biblical literature and how those are classified.
  3. Provide information on the subject of the original manuscripts in terms of manuscript support and the translation/transcription process involved in passing down the Scriptures as we know them.
  4. Define and explain “divine inspiration, revelation, infallibility, and inerrancy” as they relate to the doctrine of the Scriptures.
  5. Please be sure to interact with the following texts: Matthew 5: 17-18; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 1 Peter 1:18-20; 2 Peter 1:19-21.
  6. Conclusions and Applications.
  1. The Church(Ecclesiology)
  1. Introduction and scope [tell us what you are going to address in the paper]
  2. Demonstrate from Scripture and other sources, your understanding of the church, being sure to give special attention to Matthew 16:13-19; Acts 2:40-46). Include essential ingredients of the church, the role of the Holy Spirit in its formation & when the Church came into existence.
  3. Outline and explain at least two (2) images for the church that are used in the New Testament (e.g. “body of Christ, bride of Christ, etc.)
  4. Describe the relationship between Israel and the church and the kingdom of heaven and the church.
  5. Outline and define the ordinances or sacraments of the church, being sure to focus on their nature, & their meaning for the church.
  6. Outline and explain the offices of the church in relation to her government.
  7. Conclusions and Applications.

Please follow the above guidelines very closely. It is essential that all ordinands grapple seriously with theology and doctrine and are able to demonstrate a capacity to write theologically. These guidelines are not designed to frustrate you but to provide a path to writing a successful paper. If you have any questions about any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact the District Office.

Grading of Papers

  1. A schedule of completion should be outlined at the beginning of ordination studies with one paper to be completed every five months. The candidate should file the timeline with the District Office and should consider the timeline as a deadline for each paper.

Each paper should be submitted AS SOON AS IT IS COMPLETED to assist the Ordaining Council in grading.

  1. Aindicates exceptionally excellent work

Bindicates good work

Cindicates average work

Dindicates that the paper is unacceptable

  1. Papers, along with grading, will be returned to you following your oral examination unless your paper is unacceptable. In such a case, the paper will be returned immediately with a request for rewriting.

Guidelines For Sermon Recordings

The ENTIRE sermon should be CLEARLY recorded on a CD.

In addition to the generally accepted principles of preaching, we look for the following data on a separate sheet of paper:

  1. Name of preacher

Date of sermon preached

  1. Where sermon was preached:

(a) place
(b) setting (e.g. Sunday morning worship, Sunday evening worship, youth meeting, etc.)

  1. Outline of sermon

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