Keble House--A Curriculum

Here are some 'curricular' ideas for the intentional educational community I just described--what I have, provisionally, called 'Keble House.'

I think there should be certain core aspects to life in such an intentional community. Common worship and work should always be intrinsic parts of the daily life in the House. On the other hand, residents should also be challenged to set forth a personal 'formation plan' for each year or, perhaps, even for a longer period of residency (say, an entire 4 year plan). Build into the life of the House a sense that personal formation--spiritual, intellectual, emotional--is a project each of us can intentionally and communally undertake. Build into it regular moments of self-reflection and -evaluation. And as a result, residents would be trained in a very meaningful set of disciplines for life, that would help transform them and their world.

For instance, formation plans should include goals for spiritual disciplines (e.g., prayer, fasting, etc.); reading and study; writing, both private and writing that might be shared with the community as a whole (e.g., talks or presentations); relational and emotional goals; and service or outreach. The plan would be carefully formulated each year with the consultation of the director of the House. Goals should be realistic yet meaningful. They should not heap unreasonable amounts of additional study or work upon already challenged college students; but like any extra-curricular activity, life in the House can call forth special commitments of time and energy. Each resident could then share their plans with the others and together covenant to support one another in achieving the goals they set for themselves. The discipline of formation planning could be a part of an initial retreat to inaugurate each year; progress could be evaluated at a second retreat; and a concluding assessment performed at a final retreat. The House should help residents set goals for and assess their personal growth throughout the residential experience.

Here's a concrete example: A resident might agree to read certain works of the Church Fathers and to keep a on-going journal of his reflections. Then he might offer a couple of talks for the residents about his reading. He might also set the goal of fasting to begin each new season of the church year, and ask to be held personally accountable to remain true. Perhaps the resident needs to work on a relationship with a parent or friend, or develop more courage in speaking up in class. Residents of the House could come alongside him and encourage him in these personal goals. And finally, he might coordinate an outreach activity of the House: a drive for a food pantry or regular visits of House member to a nursing home.

At any rate, each resident (and perhaps even 'associated' non-residents) could set forth personal plans as a kind of curriculum for their residency, weaving the life of the House into the very fabric of the plan. It then becomes much more than a mere residential community with some worship and work requirements along the way. Rather, it becomes a context for personal formation.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Another Benedict Option Post

An Anglican Community