DRE 101, Part 2

Last month I suggested that when using the Iceberg Principle in relation to religious educators, what the “tip” looks like might depend on your point of view.

Some folks see the Director of Religious Exploration (DRE) only during the first part of a Sunday worship service.

 Most often this includes story wisdom – meant to work in concert with sermon, music, meditation, and readings to create meaningful worship. Like all elements of worship, the story’s intended audience is everyone present.

Others experience the story, as well as DRE-led worship downstairs and visits in each group room. This year Children’s Worship Circles are focused on our Principles. They incorporate ritual elements like opening words, chalice lightings, music, joys and sorrows, an offering, Carry the Flame, and what might be thought of as a homily. They are as much about learning how to “do” church, as they are about meaning.

And then there are the behind-the-scenes snapshots: the management of resources - human, financial, and otherwise, the work with committees, monthly reports to the Board, long-range planning, and creative work. This view involves spreadsheets and Google Docs, e-groups and list-serves, and a lot of juggling.

There are those who see a youth ally, a listener, a librarian, a communicator, a craft-supply buyer, an explorer, a marketer, a religious leader… I think you get the picture; it varies depending on where you stand.

In our congregation, the DRE is paid for 25 hours of work a week, 11 months a year, and oversees programming from birth to age 20. (Keeping to those 25 hours is the biggest challenge, and our program needs support.) I may oversee programming for young people, but I serve the entire congregation. We are all connected. We are one church. I serve the Whole Church, and the programming I’m a part of reflects that. I love what I do!

Wishing you Love in all its many forms, this month and always,
Andrea James
Director of Religious Exploration