Are you sure you called the right number?

There are a few phone conversation phrases that are just inherently unnerving. They are not obviously good ("It's a boy/girl!") or bad ("There's been an accident."), but could go either way, depending on what follows.

• "This is your child's principal (or school nurse)."
• "Your test results are in."
• "The Bishop and I have been discussing you."

Then you hold your breath, and wait for the other shoe to drop.

I heard the latter yesterday, and I'm still a bit... nonplussed. As the conversation went on, I learned that our bishop does not care to have his candidates for ordination take the GOE's, but prefers instead to have them take canonical exams, administered locally. I learned that those who do the testing here include both lay and ordained persons, each with overlapping areas of responsibility. I learned the exams include both oral and written portions.

I learned these things, because it seems that I am now the newest member of our diocesan Board of Examining Chaplains, specifically responsible for designing and evaluating examinations in the areas of Scripture (especially New Testament) and Church History.

AKMA, you are so going to be hearing from me!