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Synthesis
A synthesis may sound scary, and it is a major project. However it is an opportunity to work with things are most important to you about your ministry and your Christian understanding. You are not alone. All those completing their training for ordained ministry, both NOMs and LOMs, are required to write a synthesis paper bringing together personal, theological and ministry issues. A LOM thesis is about a third the length of a typical NOM synthesis.
A LOM synthesis is submitted to the Presbytery whose approval is needed, and is also marked by the School of Ministry. This, and conducting worship and preaching, form the last stages of "trials" for acceptance for ordination into the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.
The central topic needs to be relevant to your own sense of ministry formation. The focus is on personal theological reflection and the integration of learning, ministry, spirituality and calling. You are encouraged to write in an autobiographical fashion and begin working on this as soon as possible about a year before the time you expect to be ordained. The process will be helped by keeping a journal of theological reflection and recording issues and reflections which helped develop your understanding of God, yourself and of your ministry.
As a result of doing your synthesis you should be more confident about ministering out of this area of reflection and enriched in your capacity as a Christian leader, albeit in a modest way - this is only one assignment after all!
It is advisable to discuss your initial ideas and one or two drafts with your Presbytery supervisor before you bring it to completion.
It usually takes some time to work from personal interests to a suitable theme and structure. The final version is expected to incorporate elements in your personal, spiritual, professional, academic and ecclesial formation.
Minimum Requirements:
- Part of the pre-ordination learning contract
- Length - about 2,500 to 3,000 words.
- Learning hours = approximately 50.
- Presented in standard essay form (double space, 2.5cm margins), but poetry and pictures are OK.
- Topic to be approved.
- Must deal with a ministry issue and combine personal, biblical, and theological reflection supported by reading.
- Should indicate how your understanding has grown and questions which are important to you in this area.
- A bibliography is required.
- To be assessed by both Presbytery and the School of Ministry before authorisation to proceed to ordination.