Education for Ministry
Education for Ministry (EfM) is a distance-learning program for adult Christian formation through theological education and reflection offered by the Beecken Center of the School of Theology at the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee.
Every baptized person is called to ministry. Lay persons face the difficult and often subtle task of interpreting the richness of the church’s faith in a complex and confusing world. They need a theological education that supports their faith and helps them to connect that faith to their daily lives. The EfM program provides people with an opportunity to discover how to respond to the call to Christian service and carry out their ministries. “Ministry”, incidently, does not necessarily imply ordination. All Christians are called to be active participants in the church’s ministry, through worship and service to others, and by living God’s word.
EfM is a four-year curriculum that can provide a solid grounding in the Old Testament, the New Testament, Church history, and theology. More importantly, the curriculum provides the tools to focus on one’s life as ministry. The participant is provided with texts and guides for reading and reflection, and is expected to have prepared for each class. The classes are small, comprised of 6 to 12 people plus the mentor.
The class meets once a week for 36 weeks in a 2 ½ hour seminar. The time and location for each year can be different, depending on the needs of the group. The four years must be taken sequentially, but there may be gaps between years should that be necessary. The usual year is September to June.
Questions may be directed to the church office, at 870-425-3560, or via email to [email protected].
Or visit the University of the South’s website at: http://efm.sewanee.edu/about-efm/about-efm.
Every baptized person is called to ministry. Lay persons face the difficult and often subtle task of interpreting the richness of the church’s faith in a complex and confusing world. They need a theological education that supports their faith and helps them to connect that faith to their daily lives. The EfM program provides people with an opportunity to discover how to respond to the call to Christian service and carry out their ministries. “Ministry”, incidently, does not necessarily imply ordination. All Christians are called to be active participants in the church’s ministry, through worship and service to others, and by living God’s word.
EfM is a four-year curriculum that can provide a solid grounding in the Old Testament, the New Testament, Church history, and theology. More importantly, the curriculum provides the tools to focus on one’s life as ministry. The participant is provided with texts and guides for reading and reflection, and is expected to have prepared for each class. The classes are small, comprised of 6 to 12 people plus the mentor.
The class meets once a week for 36 weeks in a 2 ½ hour seminar. The time and location for each year can be different, depending on the needs of the group. The four years must be taken sequentially, but there may be gaps between years should that be necessary. The usual year is September to June.
Questions may be directed to the church office, at 870-425-3560, or via email to [email protected].
Or visit the University of the South’s website at: http://efm.sewanee.edu/about-efm/about-efm.
