Education for Ministry
|
|
|
|
EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY
Education for Ministry (EFM) is a course in practical theology for adults that helps the faithful and the curious encounter the breadth and depth of the Christian tradition and bring it into conversation with their experiences in the world. Seminar participants study, worship and engage in theological reflection together in a weekly seminar format over 36 weeks.
The four-year curriculum, to which members commit one year at a time, covers a close reading of the Bible, a history of world-wide Christianity, and a consideration of theology, contemporary ethics, and interfaith dialogue. Participants in the program will read the Old Testament in Year 1 and the New Testament in Year 2, accompanied by relevant textbooks. Year 3 covers Church History and Year 4 Moral Theology (Ethics) and Spirituality. Integrated into the academic coverage of tradition, are exercises in theological reflection, spiritual autobiography, prayer life, systematic theology, and ministry.
A new one-year program debuts in August 2025 called EfM Wide Angle. EfM: Wide Angle is a one-year commitment that invites participants to experience an introduction to scripture, history, spiritual practices, ethics, and theological reflection. This new one-year curriculum is facilitated by an accredited mentor and is embedded within EfM: Classic. Participants may join EfM: Classic as a fifth voice or may find themselves in a group in which all are participating in Wide Angle.
Founded in 1975, the program was developed, and texts selected in the School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. EfM seminars are situated throughout the throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries.
EFM is a program for adults and one expectation of the program is that adults take responsibility for their own lives, set their own goals, and seek the support necessary to move forward. The program asks participants and mentors to provide an arena in which learning can take place on a mature adult level. Weekly assignments, delivered through an online learning platform called Pathwright, guide participants’ preparation for the seminar providing information on assigned materials and practice in the disciplines of listening and theological reflection. Weekly seminar sessions are facilitated by accredited mentors.
EFM AT CHRIST TRINITY CHURCH
At Christ Trinity, the program is mentored by Karen Byers. An in-person group met for four years between 2020 and 2023 and completed the four-year curriculum. The program continues to be available on Zoom on Monday afternoons from 2:30 - 5:00 pm., comentored by Karen and Steve Isham of the Diocese of Vermont. There are lively discussions of each year of study within the group, as well as theological reflection, worship, and deliberations on contemporary issues. Current participants are members of Christ Trinity Church, Grace Episcopal, Great Barrington, and several other churches in this diocese and in the Diocese of Vermont. Participants who wish to join are welcome from all faith traditions, or none at all, the only prerequisite is curiosity about the Christian tradition and a desire and interest in exploring one’s own spiritual life. EFM is supported by Christ Trinity Church and sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts.
More info:
Education for Ministry (EFM) is a course in practical theology for adults that helps the faithful and the curious encounter the breadth and depth of the Christian tradition and bring it into conversation with their experiences in the world. Seminar participants study, worship and engage in theological reflection together in a weekly seminar format over 36 weeks.
The four-year curriculum, to which members commit one year at a time, covers a close reading of the Bible, a history of world-wide Christianity, and a consideration of theology, contemporary ethics, and interfaith dialogue. Participants in the program will read the Old Testament in Year 1 and the New Testament in Year 2, accompanied by relevant textbooks. Year 3 covers Church History and Year 4 Moral Theology (Ethics) and Spirituality. Integrated into the academic coverage of tradition, are exercises in theological reflection, spiritual autobiography, prayer life, systematic theology, and ministry.
A new one-year program debuts in August 2025 called EfM Wide Angle. EfM: Wide Angle is a one-year commitment that invites participants to experience an introduction to scripture, history, spiritual practices, ethics, and theological reflection. This new one-year curriculum is facilitated by an accredited mentor and is embedded within EfM: Classic. Participants may join EfM: Classic as a fifth voice or may find themselves in a group in which all are participating in Wide Angle.
Founded in 1975, the program was developed, and texts selected in the School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. EfM seminars are situated throughout the throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries.
EFM is a program for adults and one expectation of the program is that adults take responsibility for their own lives, set their own goals, and seek the support necessary to move forward. The program asks participants and mentors to provide an arena in which learning can take place on a mature adult level. Weekly assignments, delivered through an online learning platform called Pathwright, guide participants’ preparation for the seminar providing information on assigned materials and practice in the disciplines of listening and theological reflection. Weekly seminar sessions are facilitated by accredited mentors.
EFM AT CHRIST TRINITY CHURCH
At Christ Trinity, the program is mentored by Karen Byers. An in-person group met for four years between 2020 and 2023 and completed the four-year curriculum. The program continues to be available on Zoom on Monday afternoons from 2:30 - 5:00 pm., comentored by Karen and Steve Isham of the Diocese of Vermont. There are lively discussions of each year of study within the group, as well as theological reflection, worship, and deliberations on contemporary issues. Current participants are members of Christ Trinity Church, Grace Episcopal, Great Barrington, and several other churches in this diocese and in the Diocese of Vermont. Participants who wish to join are welcome from all faith traditions, or none at all, the only prerequisite is curiosity about the Christian tradition and a desire and interest in exploring one’s own spiritual life. EFM is supported by Christ Trinity Church and sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts.
More info:
- http://efm.sewanee.edu/
- https://educationforministry.substack.com/
- Facebook: EFM Education for Ministry
- https://www.diocesewma.org/education-for-ministry/
- For more information contact the church office or reach out to Karen directly.
