Education for Ministry, affectionately known as EfM, is a four-year ecumenical program designed to support you in lay ministry in the diverse contexts of contemporary life. 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 which supports their faith and teaches them to express that faith in day-to-day events, through study, prayer and reflection.

The seminar group is the nucleus of EfM, consisting of 6-12 participants and a trained mentor. The group meets weekly over the course of a nine-month academic year. Together we dig deeper into the Christian faith, studying the Bible, Church history and theological ideas, and reflect on connecting faith with life experience. The EfM curriculum is prepared by the School of Theology of the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. It is centered on theological reflection, which is the artful spiritual discipline of putting our life experience into conversation with the living God of our faith. There are over 22,000 EfM graduates worldwide; the program has been in existence for over 30 years. Most of us found that EfM opened our hearts and changed our lives.

Seminar groups work under the leadership of mentors. The mentor is not a “teacher” in the traditional sense that they are expected to impart information. The role of “teacher” in EfM is built into the program materials. Mentors provide structure for the group and enable participants to study, engage respectfully and pray together. Most importantly, mentors encourage the hearts of participants.

The Diocese of Fort Worth is once again forming EfM groups, after a long absence. There are also two groups in Dallas, if that is more convenient. If attendance at these locations is not a feasible option for you, please check the EfM website for on-line class opportunities.

EfM is a program for adults who are interested in self-directed study. There are no tests, papers or grades. meeting usually lasts 2½ to 3 hours. Weekly reading assignments generally require an additional 2-4 hours of preparation a week. Participants make a commitment for only one year at a time. The cost of the program and materials is $340 per year, and you will also need a Bible. Some scholarship assistance may be available to those who could not otherwise participate.

For more detailed information about EfM and to view a sample lesson or a list of topics for all four years, please visit the EfM website. If you would like to talk with one of us more about the program, please contact us.

Prepared by Anne Guenzel