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May They Be One (MTBO) Bible Campaign Guidelines MTBO is a strategic program aimed to help ECBA and PBS realize the vision of a transformed Philippines through God’s Word. It is inspired by the 12 th Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops held in Rome on October 5-26, 2008, which had as its theme, The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church. Objective: To provide Scriptures at subsidized cost that will help facilitate a moral and spiritual transformation throughout the country. Three components to implement the Bible campaign programs through the 12 Regional Biblical Centers, Dioceses and Parishes: A. Bible Advocacy/Biblical Pastoral Formation – Encourage Filipinos to read, study, understand, pray and live God’s Word 1. Cast the vision and revisit Parishes, Dioceses, and Regional BA. The key to the success of MTBO is the support of Bishops and Priests – they must appreciate that: a. MTBO is not just about Bible distribution but it involves Biblical Pastoral formation; b. MTBO is a response to the Synod of Bishops’ emphasis on Bible formation among clergy and laity – that the Bishops’ Synod is our ‘Kairos’; c. The end of MTBO is not just ecumenism or unity of Christians but national transformation. To bring to Filipinos knowledge about the Lord Jesus and inculcate in them biblical values, resulting to change and a move toward a ‘Moral Philippines.’ Unity is necessary for a good citizenry— to have ‘Pagkakaisa para sa Pagbabago.’ d. The Word of God is unparalleled as a set of principles that when adhered to will help renew our country. 2. MTBO Bible Recipients: ECBA and other ecclesial communities/organizations need to commit themselves to: a. Make the Bibles available to poor families for 50/copy b. Not resell the Bibles c. Give all Bible recipients Bible formation/training d. Help recipients and family members grow in their knowledge and relationship with the Lord Jesus and mature in their faith. Recipients will work with ECBA and PBS to: a. Submit reports of the distribution, follow-up activities and brief written testimonials/stories of changed lives and 2-3 photos of distribution/follow- up activities. b. Mobilize parishioners, BEC members and friends to promote, pray, volunteer and give to MTBO for the continuous meaningful distribution of God’s Word. c. Conduct continuing or regular Bible formation program(s) for their respective constituencies based on Scripture in order to animate the Filipinos. B. Bible Distribution – Provide 5 million Bibles in 5 years to homes, particularly of poor Filipinos. 1.Work through the 12 Regional Biblical Centers, Dioceses and Parishes using the ECBA structure. a. Diocesan Biblical Apostolate (BA) will be strengthened. BA is composed of Bible Director, Bible Coordinator, Bible Animator, and Bible Core Team. If a BA team is not in place, form a Parish Bible Ministry Team. b. MTBO Bible Campaign will not be exclusive to the BA structure. For other diocesan and parish lay organizations, their requests will be endorsed by the head/coordinator of the organization to the Parish Priest or Bishop. 2. A prescribed form detailing the structure of the Parish Bible Ministry/Bible Team (Bible Formator/Animator) must be accomplished and submitted by the Parishes to ECBA/PBS prior to actual distribution. The number of copies of MTBO Bibles that can be availed of will be dependent on the number of registered poor families. All requests to avail of MTBO Bibles will have to be endorsed by a Parish Priest or Bishop. 3. Every year, pre-identified Dioceses from NCR, Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, Cordillera and ARMM will be covered. 4. Emphasis is on Bible distribution to poor families attending Formation. Poor individuals/families who will receive MTBO Bibles must be pre-identified at the parish level. 5. MTBO Bibles will not be sold in commercially in secular and religious bookstores. 6. Steps to avail of MTBO Bibles: a. Parish/Church must prepare letter of request (addressed to ECBA), together with their distribution plan, list of recipients, and schedule of follow-up/formation plan. b. Request must pass through the Diocesan Bible Director for endorsement. c. Submit to ECBA for approval. d. Orders will only be processed and served by PBS upon receipt of payment and approval from ECBA. e. Delivery time is 3-4 days for stocks that will be picked up at the PBS office/warehouse. For provincial orders, allot at least 7 working days from date of approval of the order. f. Signing of Covenant. An agreement specifying that Bibles will be given to poor families only, will not be resold, and that Bible recipients will be provided Bible formation/training must be signed by requesting party. g. Institute a continuing Bible Formation program. h. Submit periodic reports and updates with photos and testimonies. 7. MTBO Bibles will be made available at a subsidized price of P50@copy. Total production cost is P150@copy thus a P100 subsidy per copy is needed. This will be sourced from various fundraising activities. 8. PBS will shoulder freight cost if total order is P10,000 and above. The Parish/Church will shoulder the freight cost for orders below P10,000. C. Fundraising – Raise P500 million, here and abroad, to subsidize the printing and distribution of Scriptures in the local languages. The goal is to raise sufficient funds to enable at least 5 million Bibles to be printed and sold at the subsidized price of P50 each. Total production cost per Bible is P150. 1. Encourage ECBA and PBS partners and friends throughout the country to sign up for a nationwide donor loyalty program with the theme – “Become a Friend of the Philippine Bible Society and Help Put a Bible in Every Home.” This may be done via: a. Response forms in Catholic Daily Bible Reading Guide
