Emphasis Preaching Journal

It was an incredible story, but experience and character vouched for the pastor's truthfulness. He told us that a good part of his ordination examination consisted of playing pinochle with the president of the Synod and two other officials of his denomination. At the time, he told us, his classmates clearly believed he was "putting them on." Yet, some of us, older clergy, understood what might have been the rationale for such an examination. Perhaps the "elders" thought they could assess the young man's ability and commitment by how he approached and conducted himself in a game of cards.