CONCEPT PAPER OF THE SPIRITUAL FORMATION PROGRAM
This
program is one of the tools of the SPMCI for the Licensed Local Pastor and
Ordained Ministry Formation. It is designed to help our seminarians or students
discern their vocation and established habits of prayer that can sustain a
lifelong commitment in the Licensed Local Pastor and Ordained Ministry. And
thus, acquire the listening and learning heart of disciples that deepen their
loyalty to Christ through the United Methodist Church, as being set apart to
preach, to teach, to administer the sacraments, to nurture, to heal, to gather
the community in worship and send them for witness and outreach ministries (UMC
BOD par 302).
The
College of Theology use the following spiritual activities as means to
accomplish abovementioned goals:
1.
Celebration of the Daily Praise
and Prayer. In
the United Methodist Church, Daily Praise and Prayer enables to celebrate daily
the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. These services intend to
praise God and offer prayer for God’s creation, for the SPMCI community, the
those in pain and who are sick, for the world, for the country, and for the
Church. In the context of SPMCI, it is celebrated every 5:00 to 5:30 in the
morning from Monday to Friday, using the pattern provided by the UMC Book of
Worship at the Chapel. Occupants in the Gents and Women Dormitory are required
to participate in this daily spiritual discipline.
2.
The Celebration of the Holy
Communion. Our
seminarians or theology students are required to actively participate during
the Celebration of the Holy Communion as acolytes, scripture reader, worship
leader, member of the Praise Singing Team or Liturgical Dance Ministry Team,
communion steward, or preacher. The Celebration of Holy Communion at SPMCI is
every Wednesday, 9:30 in the morning. They are required to wear their clerical
or sotana.
3.
A Journey to HEAL. This is a meditative walk to
healing, enlightenment, acceptance, and liberation at the SPMCI labyrinth. This
is one of the ancient prayer practices that the SPMCI adopted wherein the
seminarians or theology students experiences the triple kinesis of God. (1) The
searching God descending into our
human experiences through the Creations and of Jesus Christ. (2) God’s presence
in our human experiences ascending
us to the state of being redeemed, enlightened, and empowered. And (3) God
through us and with us re-descending
to the poor, oppressed, marginalized, exploited, deprived but struggling people
thus they may affirm that God our Parent is not just loving and caring, but God
is Love (1 John 4:8, 16). As they go along with their journey at the labyrinth,
they allow themselves in the moment of silence to experience God’s healing
presence, voice, and liberating challenge. Then on the way out from the center
of the labyrinth, asking God to continually guide them by God’s wisdom and
love. The seminarians or theology students are required to have this meditative
walk at least once a week in their choice of time.
4.
Spiritual Retreats. Every year, seminarians or
theology students in all level will have their three (3) to five (5) days
Spiritual Retreat sometimes in February. Spiritual Retreat is also required to
the graduating seminarians or students, two weeks prior to their commencement
exercises. During retreats, participating seminarians or theology students will
be detached from using cell phones, emails, televisions and other gadgets that
distracts the whole course of the retreat.
5.
Spiritual Direction. All seminarians or theology students
will be assigned candidacy mentor approved by the Dean of the College of
Theology. Candidacy mentors are clergy of the United Methodist Church assigned
as professor at SPMCI or Administrator of the Local Churches or program
agencies around and near the SPMCI campus who gives spiritual direction to
seminarians or theology students as candidate to the Licensed and Ordained
Ministry. Trust is sacred between mentors and mentees that needs to develop and
preserve. In the spiritual direction, the student can freely express his/her
life story, faith journey, joys and pains, fears and temptations. The
mentor-mentee sessions will be held once a month wherein the communication of
both is considered confidential.
6.
Devotional Prayer. The seminarians or theology
students are encouraged to have their own individual devotional prayer time
that help to sustain the effective communion with God. Thus, help to stay
focused on God using the Protestant prayer beads being introduced during the
recently concluded UMC General Conference Session adopted by the SPMCI as one
of the prayer practices of the community.
This
program is also responsible for the creation of the following ministries:
1.
Acolytes Ministry. This ministry is (1) responsible
to mobilize the members of the SPMCI community to get involved in the
preparation of the chapel for the Celebration of the Holy Community every
Wednesday. (2) This ministry will take
charge in the preparation of Holy Communion Table, the altar wares and elements
to be used in the celebration. (3) Members of this ministry will take charge to
assigned or will serves as Worship Leader, Lectors, Bible Bearer, Candle
Bearer, Crucifer, Ushers, and Communion Stewards. This ministry will have a
regular meeting, training, and workshop to their members for the efficiency of
their ministries rendered.
2.
Gospel Music Ministry. This ministry will take charge
for the vitality of singing praises and thanksgiving songs during the conduct
of the Worship Service. This band will be maximized to explore and development
of gift and talents of the students in the music ministry and leadership. Composed
and produced original praise and worship songs that would contribute to
revitalized the worship and spiritual life of the people.
3.
Liturgical Dance and Theater
Arts Ministry.
In partnership with the Gospel Music Ministry, this ministry will take charge
the tambourine dancers, theater arts and liturgical dancers to have a
performance that revitalized the worship life of the SPMCI community and the
churches around. This ministry will have a regular meeting, training, and
workshop to their members for the efficiency of their ministries rendered.
4.
Liturgy and Preaching Ministry. This ministry will (1) take
charge in the preparation of rituals, liturgy guide to be used during the
Chapel Services and liturgical celebrations of the SPMCI. (2) Communicate,
facilitate and scheduled the preachers and presiders during the Chapel
Services. (3) Compile the Sermons and Liturgy Guides being used during the
Chapel Services and initiate for the publication of this compilations.
These
spiritual activities and ministry components of the Spiritual Formation Program
will be coordinated through the Spiritual Formation Program Management
Committee, organized and supervised by the Office of the Dean of Theology, in
partnership will the Office of Student Affairs, Officers of the Theology
Student Society and Christian Education Students. A student assistant (s) will
be employed to assist in the implementation of the programs. The Theology and
Christian Education students is required to be involved in the different spiritual
activities and ministry components of the program as part of their training in
the Pastoral Ministry.
Prepared
by:
REV.
JERIC C. CORTADO
Acting
Dean, College of Theology
Approved
by:
PROF.
FRAMER CRISTY P. MELLA
President
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