Developing an Institutional Interdenominational Faith-Formation Program Using the Bottom-up Approach

MARK RAYGAN E. GARCIAProject Leader

Director, Office of Information & PublicationsSilliman University | Philippines

Team Members

Dr. Muriel Montenegro, Dean, Divinity School

Prof. Lily Apura, Chair, Religious Studies Program

Ms. Sharon Dadang Rafols, Peace Education Coordinator, Justice and Peace Center

Background

Silliman’s diverse student profile (geographical & religious distribution)

5 Cs of Silliman education | FIRE (Faith, Instruction, Research, Extension)

Religion as an institutional course requirement

Religious freedom on campus

Approaches | Assumptions

Bottom-Up Approach Students are treated as “experts”; reverses traditional thought:

one-way mentoring (teacher >>> student) Perception is reality

“Alternative Packaging” Use of non-conventional, “non-threatening” ways of engagement

and of stimulating the teaching-learning process Capitalizes on creativity; receptive to limitations

Objective 1

Provide an open space for discussion among students from at least three religious denominations represented in the University on their own religions and other people’s religions

Methods utilized: Face-to-face, “alternative packaging” (paintings, play, dance, songs) Online/Digital tools

Objectives 2

Develop a collective understanding of religion by drawing up from the discussions commonalities and differences among religions in presenting what will be identified as actual and/or potential areas of conflict or tension among religions;

Objective 3

Serve as basis for the Justice and Peace Center to come up with an interdenominational faith-formation program specifically targeted at continuing dialogues on the role of religion in the life of students and the community, in fostering domestic and international peace

Production of a material that incorporates: Module Guide Comic

Implementation

Phase 1 Preliminary orientation

Phase 2 Theme: “Me, Myself & My Faith Community” Objective / Expectation Setting Tell Your Story Dialogue / Team Dynamics Processing

Participants

13 student-participants

8 countries: Philippines, China (Tibet), Iran, Italy, Jordan, Korean, Nigeria, USA

4 religions: Buddhism, Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism

Painting

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Dialogue

What is the meaning (and role) of your religion in your life?

What is unique in your religion?

Is there a characteristic in your religion similar to other religions? If yes, what are these?

How do you refer to your creator?

What about your religion (song, text, gesture, symbol) that you want to share with the group?

How do you look at peace in your religion?

Do you think your religion can work with other religions in achieving peace? How? In what ways?

Dialogue

Painting

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Implementation

Phase 3 Theme: “Me & The World”

4 Topics:

Environment Gender Equality Politics Education

Implementation

Phase 4

Deliverables

Module & Guide

Comics

Let’s Connect

Daghang salamat (Thank you very much)!

E-mail: markraygan@yahoo.com

Web: www.smarkideas.com

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