DRE 101, Part 1

There is a concept in the business world known as the Iceberg Principle, which suggests that only a small percentage of information is ever visible about any given situation, while the bulk is hidden or unavailable. 

This principle might apply to the work of religious educators, but the “tip” may look different, depending on the point of view (are we story tellers? youth allies? administrators? worship leaders?). Over the next few months this column will look at the religious educator “iceberg”. This month: the big picture.

The role of religious educator has shifted and morphed over the years. Several decades ago they were commonly mothers who put in hours and hours of devoted but unpaid time, energy, research and creativity. Connections were made; professional associations were formed. Best practices were agreed upon, professional development ensued and an official process of working towards the designation of Credentialed Religious Educator (CRE) was created.

Today religious educators, like ministers and music directors, are Religious Professionals. Some work full time, others only a handful of hours a week. Some oversee programs with hundreds of participants; others have one small multi-age group. There are those who are “lifespan” - offering programming from cradle to grave – and those who provide programs for one segment of the congregation they serve, such as Youth Ministry or Adult RE.

Religious education is one of the few areas of North American Unitarian Universalism that is still continental in scope and delivery. Many Canadian religious educators belong to professional chapters that cross the border, as well as their own regions within the Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC). Resources for both general Religious Education (RE) and Our Whole Lives (OWL) Sexuality Education are shared.

Over the decades, what is offered as U.U. religious education, and how it is offered has shifted and morphed too. There is more of a focus now on exploring what it means to be Unitarian Universalist, in addition to world religions, social justice, the environment and other important themes. There has been a move away from an old-school environment toward experiential learning. With that comes an awareness that the adults leading RE are developing their faith at the same time; they are exploring alongside the young people they are with.

Next month, we’ll narrow the focus and look at how the “tip” on view varies depending on your perspective, and in March I’ll give you a peek into a typical week in the life of a DRE.

Best wishes for a new year full of wonder,
Andrea James
Director of Religious Exploration