Dvasinis ir religinis ugdymas akademinėje bendruomenėje: JAV valstybinių mokyklų sielovados pavyzdys
LTŠiame straipsnyje analizuojamas dvasinis religinis ugdymas JAV valstybiniuose universitetuose ir svarstoma, kaip JAV patirtis šioje srityje galėtų pasitarnauti toliau vystant akademinę sielovadą Lietuvos aukštosiose mokyklose. Straipsnyje išryškinama keletas esminių idėjų: net nuo Bažnyčios atskirtoje JAV ugdymo sistemoje yra įstatymiškai pagrįstos religinio-dvasinio ugdymo galimybės valstybinėse aukštosiose mokyklose; gausi bei įvairi formalių ir neformalių religinio-dvasinio ugdymo programų bei projektų pasiūla aukštosiose mokyklose gali tapti pavyzdžiu vystant akademinę sielovadą Lietuvoje.
ENThe article analyzes religious assistance in universities in the U.S.A. as campus ministry models for adaptation in Lithuania's higher education institutes. The separation of church and state does not prevent religious or spiritual education opportunities in state schools, and the variety of formal and informal programs and projects can be an example for developing university ministry in Lithuania. During the past ten years of freedom modern technology has brought Lithuania closer to the standard of developed countries, but more time and effort is needed to change mentalities and to promote a new consciousness. Campus ministry is taking its first steps, whereas in the U.S. religious ministry was continuous, changing only in means, and encompassing ten percent of the students in informal activities. Catholic and Protestant campus ministry personnel are professionally trained, and financed by school and church. Newman, Hallel and other centers provide alternatives for social attitudes, counselling, volunteer service. University courses on religion and spirituality are available in great variety. University administrations promote student activities, including religious organizations, for the service they render to the student body. A 1998 Lithuanian study shows that 45 percent of higher education students responded favourably to the possibility of courses in Christian spirituality. Only five schools have small courses offered for such ample demand. Only a few higher education institutes have chaplains and campus ministry personnel. Students are interested in volunteer service, but few opportunities are provided.Pastoral educators should seek to cooperate with theology departments or religious study centers and provide for the students' spiritual search for meaning. The nature and function of campus ministry needs to be known better and provided for in university and other educational structures.
