TRAINORS-TRAINING SEMINAR ON GKK MANAGEMENT AND PROCESSES
May 22-23, 2003, Greenwoods, City of Koronadal

 INTRODUCTION

BEC is more than 30 years old in the diocese of Marbel (1968-2003). Factors that contributed to the growth of the BEC were: MSPC 1-2-3 (1971-1974-1977), KRISKA (1974-1975-1976), adoption of BEC as Diocesan Thrust in 1983, systematic organization of the ministries in 1986, and re-structuring of Commissions in 1997. Total number of GKKs as of year 2002 was 1,410.

PART I – BEC-GKK THEORY AND STRUCTURE

TERMS

1.    BCC-BEC-GKK – refer to the same thing. They are used interchangeably in this presentation.

2.   GKK and GKK MINISTRY – are not the same. GKK refers to the actual community  (in a brgy. sitio, purok) while GKK Ministry refers to persons whose concern is the welfare of the GKK and who compose the ministry.

3.    ZONES – are pastoral divisions of a Parish. GKKs are arranged according to such divisions.

4.    BUKLODS (also called Units, Celdas) – are smaller divisions of the GKK. 10-15 families compose a Buklod. 

5.    KRISKA – is a formation program and central activity of the Buklod. Kriska is participated in by 6-10 families within the Buklod. (Note: Buklod is a bigger grouping than Kriska.)

WHAT IS A BEC-GKK? (Definition)

A.  BEC-GKK is a small community of Catholic families situated in a small locality of the parish (cf. DPA 1, Decree 1.2.1.4.1). Standard Qualifications to become a BEC are: 

      1.  Adequate size (of about 30-60 families) – not too small, nor too big in order to be manageable.
2.  Definite territory – only people living in the immediate area are members
3.  Homogenous membership – there are children, youth, adults
4.  Self-reliance – it can support itself, its personnel, its needs and programs. It is self-nourishing, self-
     sustaining, self-governing community.

B.       BEC-GKK is “a new way of being Church” (Cf. PCP II). There are two things to be noted here:
         
            1. BEC is Church, and 2) BEC is a “ new way” of being Church.
  
            Church - BEC is basic component of the local Church and part of its structure: Diocese – Parish – BEC.
            New Way - BEC is characterized by 7 distinguishing marks (cf. PCP II):

      1.  Participation - each member participates actively in the life and mission of their community
2.  Self-reliance – a self-reliant community
3.  Members know one another
4.  There is sharing and
5.  Sense of belonging
6.  It is governed by the lay
7.  Under the guidance of the parish priest.

STRUCTURE OF THE BEC-GKK

BEC-GKK is not an organization but it has features of an organization with officers, personnel, council, and members.

LEVEL 1 – ADMINISTRATIVE LEVEL – GKK 5 MAJOR OFFICERS

1.        GKK President – presides over meetings

2.       GKK Vice President – takes the place of the President as needed

3.       GKK Secretary – records and keeps minutes of meetings

4.       GKK Treasurer – keeps custody of finances

5.       GKK Auditor – audits financial reports and transactions

Role: They are the corporate in-charge of the GKK and share responsibilities over the GKK.
Functions – As a group they have standard management functions and coordinating functions.

LEVEL 2 – PASTORAL PROGRAM LEVEL - GKK SERVICE PERSONNEL

1.       GKK Catechists (at least 2 in every GKK)

2.       GKK Kriska Alagads

3.       GKK Family and Life Workers

4.       GKK Lay Cooperators (at least 1 in every GKK)

5.       GKK Lay Liturgists

6.       GKK Youth Leaders

7.       GKK Social Action Workers

Role: They are members of their respective Parish Ministry but live in the GKK.
Functions: They are in-charge of the services and programs of their respective ministry in the GKK.

LEVEL 3 – ADVISORY COUNCIL LEVEL - GKK Pastoral Council

1.       GKK President – Council Presider, Facilitator

2.       GKK Vice President – Council Assistant Presider

3.       GKK Secretary – Council Secretary

4.       GKK Treasurer – Council Treasurer

5.       GKK Auditor – Council Auditor

6.       1 Layco – Representative of the Layco

7.       1 Catechist – Representative of the Catechists

8.       1 Kriska Alagad – Representative of the Kriska Alagads

9.       1 Family and Life Worker – Representative of the Family and Life Workers

10.    1 Youth Leader – Representative of the Youth Group

11.    1 Lay Liturgist – Representative of the Lay Liturgists

12.    1 Social Action Worker – Representative of the Social Action Workers

Role – They serve as Pastoral Advisers for Pastoral Programs and Activities of the GKK.
Functions – They have planning and coordinating functions. The GKKPC meets as needed

Note: The above members of the GKKPC plus Officers of the Buklods form the GKK Extended Pastoral Council. They meet only once in a while or as needed.

BASE LEVEL - GKK MEMBERS

1.   The members of the GKK are all Catholics living in the GKK whether active or inactive.

2.   Basic qualifications for GKK membership are Baptism and actual residence in the GKK. Once a person is baptized  he becomes a member of the Church and automatically also a member of the GKK.

3.   Membership in the GKK is one thing and participation is another matter. Membership cannot be lost even if someone is inactive or rarely participates in GKK activities. In the GKK we have core  members (active), second-liners (semi-active), and borderline members (inactive). All are members.

4.   A GKK membership is for Catholics only. Non-Catholics and those of other religions are not members of the GKK, but they are objects of our concern. In times of need we have the obligation to help them.

5.  All Christian faithful, including those in the GKK, have certain rights and obligations according to Church law. Some of these rights are the right to equality, right to mission, right to the sacraments, right to obedience, right to be heard, etc.

6.   Strictly speaking, no one may prevent anyone to exercise his right. Such action belongs to a higher authority such as the Parish Priest and the Bishop of the Diocese.

7.   The use and purpose of the Information Sheet (Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage) are often misunderstood. These forms are diocesan forms and should be consistent with approved diocesan format and thus should not be altered. Main purpose of these forms is to get correct information or data. The Information Sheet is to be filled in either by the parents (baptism), by the candidate for Confirmation, or by the couple to be married. The role of any GKK officer who signs these forms is only testimonial in nature – to witness or to testify to the accuracy of the answers given. The signing officer should go over all the information given and if he finds any answer to be not true or correct, he has two options – he asks the persons concerned to put in the correct information, and if the ones concerned refuse to make the necessary changes, then the officer may not sign. But if all the answers are correct, then the officer may sign. This act of signing should not be interpreted as recommending, endorsing or approving. Such role does not belong to any GKK officer. 

PARISH GKK GUIDELINES (From the DPA-I Acts and Decrees)

1.   THRUST. In line with the main thrust of the Diocese of Marbel, the “building and strengthening of the BEC” shall also be the pastoral priority of the Parish and of the GKK ministry. (DPA-I 1.2.1)

2.   ORIENTATION AND COORDINATION. All services of ministries, programs, rec­ognized organizations and movements in the GKK must be directed and oriented towards the establishment and growth of the GKK. All such groups must work within and under the structure of the GKK and must coordinate their activities with their GKK Officers. (DPA-I 1.2.1)

ORGANIZING A BEC-GKK

BASIC REQUIREMENTS. In order to become a GKK,

1.  There should be at least 30 and at most 60 member families in the target area.

2.  People should have a good knowledge of what BEC is.

3.  People are willing and able to support and sustain the BEC.

4.  They have leaders who are willing to accept responsibilities, like being GKK officers, KRISKA Alagads, FLM Workers, Catechists, Youth Leaders, LLL ministers, Lay Liturgists, Social Action workers, among others

5.   People decide responsibly to become a GKK

BASIC STEPS IN ORGANIZING A GKK:

1.   Identify a suitable area where a GKK could be established (preferably a place where there already exists a beginning
      of a community).

2.   Conduct initial survey (PSI or DSI) to get the following data: area, number of population and families, situation, needs, and other related information.

3.   Establish contact with local leaders, other potential leaders and ask them to help.

4.   Organize meetings, lectures, orientations – to educate the people on the BEC – its history, nature, rationale, principles, processes, requirements, and other related topics.

5.  Consult the people and let them decide whether they are ready to form a GKK or not. Such decision is important because to be a GKK is a free decision and not imposed from above.

6.   Have election of BEC Officers - President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Auditor. These officers are the core in-charge of the BEC.

7.   Recruit other BEC Service Personnel - Layco, Catechists, Kriska Alagads, Family and Life Workers, Lay Liturgists, Youth leaders, Social Action Workers, etc.

8.   Help GKK leaders to formulate plans and develop on-going programs for organizing, education (catechesis), social apostolate (service), worship and liturgy of the BEC. 

9.    Have regular schedule for monitoring, follow-up and evaluation of progress made.

Note: 

1.   Organizing a GKK is a process (sometimes slow). The preparation phase may take at least 2 years.

2.   BEC is a free decision. People are not forced to form a BEC if they are not yet ready.

3.   BEC uses a developmental approach to BEC building. Small BECs may start with just 5 major officers, but as the BEC grows through the years, every BEC is expected to produce enough leaders to serve the community.

4.   Question. What do we do with GKKs that after so many years still do not have laycos, catechists, social action workers, and the like?

Stages in the Development of BEC

1.   Liturgical (Traditional)

2.  Developmental (Liberal)

3.  Transformative (Liberational)

BEC IN MSPC I (Davao City, 1971)

 1. Worshipping Community – Katilingban nga Maampuon

2.  Teaching Community – Katilingban nga Matudloon

3.  Serving Community – Katilingban nga Maalagaron

BEC IN MSPC II (Cagayan de Oro City, 1974)

1.  Self-Governing Community

2.  Self-Nourishing Community

3.  Self-Sustaining Communit