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Looking for something different from the typical Christian education hour on Sunday morning? Want to dig deeper into the Christian faith, studying the Bible, church history, theological ideas, and reflect on connecting faith with life experiences? Education for Ministry (EFM) may be calling you.
All members of the Christian faith are called to serve as ministers. EFM is a tool that educates laity, teaching one to think theologically about the surrounding world. EFM has been called the best program in the Episcopal Church for adult lay ministry education.
EFM is a distance-learning program from the University of the South, which is usually held within congregations. It is a four-year course consisting of weekly seminars. The seminars meet nine months of the year. Each seminar group is made up of 6 to 12 people and group mentors who facilitate and participate fully in all discussions.
The four years of study include the Old Testament, New Testament, History of Christianity, and Modern Theology. Students are given study materials and resource guides that allow them to continue their education outside the class. They are also asked to commit to a form of regular prayer and reflection. Upon completion of the four-year program, students are given a Certificate of Completion; for every year of the class, students receive 18 Continuing Education credits. The four-year program is comparable with one-year of seminary training.
The main focus of the group is on theological reflection, which is a specific process that teaches students to think theologically about all of God’s creation and apply that thinking to daily life.
For more information on how EFM can change your life, please speak to one of St. Andrew’s former classmates, Eric Barns, Sarah Schuster, Ruth Skladan, or Jo Pressnell. For more information about our fall 2010 class, contact Jimmy Wright (440) 985-8981. Also, visit the EFM website at http://www.sewanee.edu/EFM/index.htm
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Ministry Pages
EFM - Education for Ministry
