Ministerial Leadership Training in the Philippines. Lay Formation Course & Formal Theological Studies Beginning Our Programs and Activities

Transcription

1 Ministerial Leadership Training in the Philippines Lay Formation Course & Formal Theological Studies Beginning Our Programs and Activities

2 Introduction The Ministerial Leadership Training in the Philippines is composed of a three-year lay formation course for lay ministers, leaders, officers and second-liners, and a formal theological studies that range from two-year up to six-years of theological studies. Lay Formation Course This is five-day-live-in seminars/trainings twice a year for a period of three years offered by the UUCP National Office intended for lay ministers, officers, and second-liners of the congregations. The main purpose is to strengthen and upgrade the knowledge, information and the skills of the current leaders and provide opportunity to the second-liners to learn/acquire ministerial skills when they will assume leadership in the congregation. With the on-going Leadership Schools program of the ICUU, proposal(s) for Lay Formation Course in the Philippines context will be channeled through Rev. Jill McAllister, ICUU Program Director, Each participant pays a registration fee and in kind donation for food. And, the following are the areas of focus. Theology God: different views about God, UU views about God, Unitarianism, Universalism, Unitarian Universalism Jesus: historical/pre-easter Jesus, Christ of the faith/post Easter Jesus Bible in Context Seminar

3 - this seminar aims to re-orient and deepen people s understanding of their faith in the light of the present historical realities - it digs deeper into the historical background and nature of the biblical writings and understands the biblical message from Filipino perspectives Church Administration Structure: organizational set-up, duties and responsibilities, resource generation, acquisition of teaching skills, etc Worship & Liturgy: actual preparation of lectionary with scriptural references, designing the order of worship for different occasions, sermon preparation, preaching, music, etc Pastoral Care & Counseling: how/when/where to counsel Church history Jewish history Church History & Christianity in the Philippines Universalist & Unitarian History Unitarian Universalistt history Formal Theological Studies With the introduction of Rev. Nihal Anton Attanayake, past UUCP President, Prof. Victor Aguilan, Silliman University Divinity School came to UUCP, presented and discussed the course offerings of the School with Rev. Dr. Fredric John Muir, UUA Ambassador to the UUCP last April Later, exchange of communication took place between them. Just prior to the end of 2009, another conversation took place about this between Dr. Muriel Montenegro, Dean Silliman University Divinity School and Rev. Rebecca Quimada-Sienes, UUCP President.

4 Building on what has been started, a proposal of this kind will be channeled thru Rev. Dr. Fredric John Muir, Rev. Eric Cherry, Office of International Resources, UUA and Member, Task Force on Ministerial Education, ICUU and to Rev. Jill McAllister, Program Director, International Council of Unitarian Universalists (ICUU) This program, Formal Theological Studies is intended for those Philippine Unitarian Universalists who are interested to pursue Master of Divinity, Master of Theology, Doctor of Theology studies as well as Bachelor of Theology at Silliman University Divinity School, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines. The UUCP requires the graduates of this program to offer a maximum of six years of work either in a congregation. The pay is dependent upon UUCP s standard of paying workers. Because potential students of this program have their own job already and have to stop in order to study, the Administration recommends a yearly stipend of $1,500 to those who are taking MDiv/Th.M/M.Th/Th.D degrees. Internship will be done in a UU church under the general supervision of the Divinity School. Master of Divinity (non-thesis) is a four year degree program including a one-year internship. It is offered to students who are holders of a college degree. Master of Divinity (thesis track) is a two-year degree program with majors in Biblical Studies, Christian Education, Systematic Theology, Pastoral Ministries, Spiritual Care/CPE. It is offered to those who have attained a B.Th. degree. Master of Theology (Th.M SEAGST) is a two year program including thesis in a variety of areas of specialization, offered under the auspices of the South East Asian Graduate School of Theology. A Master of Divinity degree is a requirement for admission.

5 Master of Theology (M.Th. in Mission Studies) is a two-year degree program including thesis. A Master of Divinity is a requirement for admission to the CHED-recognized degree program offered by Silliman University. Doctor of Theology (Th.D) is the highest degree offered by the Divinity School and can be pursued either under the auspices of the South East Asian Graduate School of Theology or Silliman University. It is offered to students who have attained an M.Th or its equivalent. It is a four-year course degree program that includes course work, comprehensive exams and thesis. Bachelor of Theology (B. Th. ) is a general program in pastoral ministry. It is offered especially to high school graduates. It is a six-year degree program that includes two years of liberal arts courses, three years in theology and one year internship. However, a student may opt to major in Liturgy and Music. Some baccalaureate degree holders may also opt to enroll in this program, provided that their liberal arts courses are validated and credited. The Costs For Bachelor of Theology:$3,000/yr x6 yrs =$18,000/student: tuition and fees, food, housing, school materials, books & personal effects. Total cost to complete the 6-yr B.Th: $18,000/student For Master of Divinity/Master Theology/Doctor of Theology: $3,500/yr x4 yrs=$14,000/student inclusive of tuition & fees, food, housing, books, &materials + $1,500/yr x 4 yrs= $6,000 stipend for stopping work to study Total cost to complete MDiv/Th.M/M.Th/Th.D: $20,000/student

6 Conclusion To carry on the credibility, integrity and authority of the Church, the UU Church of the Philippines must send the next- in- line leaders who are interested to take formal theological studies in an accredited theological institution. This is necessary so that the Church continues to carry its authenticity, fidelity and power as a faith institution. Rev. Rebecca Quimada-Sienes President, UUCP January 2010 Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines