by Martha Goodwill EFM Coordinator for the Diocese of South West Florida (based on information from EfM materials and Lucy Wagner, Diocese of Texas)

by Martha Goodwill EFM Coordinator for the Diocese of South West Florida (based on information from EfM materials and Lucy Wagner, Diocese of Texas)

Why EfM? Every time we educate someone in the Education for Ministry program, we give them the power to do something good. The Rt. Rev. Dean Wolfe, Bishop, Diocese of Kansas EFM empowers the laity to live out profound and life-giving ministries. We are all, no matter our vocations in life, given opportunities to do good. According to Bishop Wolfe, the problem is that some of our opportunities get overlooked because we simply don t recognize them for what they are and at other times, we recognize the opportunity, but don t feel equipped to meet the task.

What is EFM? Education for Ministry is a four-year course of study in the Bible, church history, theological choices and its theological application in our lives today. The Education for Ministry program is not like any other bible study. An in-depth study of scripture is an integral part of the program, but it is not the only part. EFM is a powerful combination of scripture, worship, theology and theological reflection to help students develop the skills they need to better discern their call to ministry.

Background Developed by the School of Theology, University of the South and offered as an extension program through the School of Theology. Began with a vision of enrolling only a few hundred students but has now grown into an international program. Over 60,000 students have participated worldwide. 30,000 students have graduated in the United States. Enrollment is approximately 8,700 in the United States. Sponsored by 80 dioceses in the United States.

Purpose From the Catechism in our Book of Common Prayer Q.: A.: Who are the ministers of the church? The ministers of the church are lay persons, bishops, priests and deacons. God calls ALL of us to ministry it is up to us to spend some time in prayerful consideration of what our ministry is. Ordination is not a requirement for ministry.

Purpose During the Service of Confirmation we ask God to: Renew in these your servants the covenant you made with them at Baptism. Send them forth in the power of the Spirit to perform the service you set before them. Every baptized person is called to ministry. EFM provides people with the education to carry out that ministry. EFM offers an opportunity to discover how to respond to the call to Christian service.

Why EFM? Lay persons face a difficult task of interpreting the richness of the church s faith in a complex and confusing world. Lay persons need the kind of theological education that supports their faith and trains them to express that faith in dayto-day events. Church developments of the last century put more emphasis on the role of lay ministry. EFM is an important part of that growth. EFM provides a program that develops an informed and knowledgeable laity.

EFM and Ordination EFM does not evaluate or recommend individuals for ordination. Some dioceses use EFM as part of the preparation for ordination. Sewanee does not recommend this use of the program unless it is used as part of a comprehensive program of preparation for ordination. EFM is primarily geared for the development of the laity.

Our Call to be Ministers in the World Total Ministry You do not need to be ordained to be a minister. All baptized Christians are called to be active participants in the church s total ministry. Total Ministry exercises the church s vocation to continue the ministry of Jesus, who reconciled the world to God. We are called to incarnate that reconciliation in our own time and place through worship, service to others and proclamation of God s word to all people.

Total Ministry The EFM program prepares us for the ministry to which we are called that vocation we pray for at the end of the Eucharist: And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord.

The Program: How it Works A Metaphor Learning to think metaphorically is an important part of theological reflection in EFM. When Jesus taught in parables he made significant use of metaphor to make his point. In our scientific, technological world, we ve lost the ability to think metaphorically. In EFM students learn how to recapture the art of metaphor. This process is illustrated by a 2-rail fence: through study, prayer and reflection, EFM students move through a new understanding of the fullness of God s kingdom.

The Program: How it Works-A Metaphor The 2-railed fence: One rail is the Christian tradition. One rail is the collective experience of the seminar group. The rails are linked by 2 posts of the seminar and reflection where life and study meet. The fence is grounded in the soil of regular worship, a vital component of the life of the group.

The Program: How it Works-The Seminar Group The nucleus of the EFM program. A seminar group consists of six to twelve students and a trained mentor. A group may have either 1 year represented or it may act as a one-room school house with 2 or more years represented in the program. The group meets over the course of a 9-month academic year. Each group session should last 2 ½ to 3 hours.

The Program: How it Works-Study Each student receives a resource guide containing 34 lessons to study over the course of the year. Students are responsible for setting their own learning goals. Students will probably spend 2 to 4 hours in study to prepare for the seminar. Students will have an opportunity to share their insights and discoveries and to ask questions raised during their study.

Academic Contents Scope Participants study the entire sweep of the Christian tradition. Learn the principal of biblical exegesis and interpretation, systematic theology, church history, ethics, liturgies and ascetical theology. Students belong to a community of learning in their seminar group in which the events of their lives are examined in light of the materials studied. The focus is on life as ministry and understanding that ministry.

Academic Contents Each year contains 34 lessons. New students always begin with the first lesson of the first year. You may have students in the same group at different levels. Class materials include Reading and Resource Guides that provides 5 lessons the class studies together: o Sharing Spiritual Autobiographies and Listening o Thinking Theologically o Developing a Sustaining Spirituality o Integrating Belief and Behavior o Vocation: Hearing and Responding to God s Call

Academic Contents Year One: The Hebrew Bible A Short Introduction to the Hebrew Bible by John J. Collins Year Two: The New Testament Introducing the New Testament by Mark Allen Powell Year Three: Church History Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years by Diarmaid MacCulloch Year Four: Theology, Ethics, and Interfaith Encounter Theology for a Troubled Believer: An Introduction to the Christian Faith by Diogenes Allen The Christian Moral Life: Practices of Piety by Timothy F. Sedgwick My Neighbor s Faith: Stories of Interreligious Encounter, Growth, and Transformation by Jennifer Howe Peace, Or N. Rose, and Gregory Mobley Interlude Texts (Read by All Year Levels) The Bush Was Blazing But Not Consumed by Eric H. F. Law Globalization, Gender, and Peacebuilding: The Future of Interfaith Dialogue by Kwok Pui-lan

Academic Contents: Theological Reflection EFM provides adult Christians with the basic skill of theological reflection as the foundation of all Christian ministry. Theological Reflection: Sharpens the skills of personal and cultural assessment. Enhances students ability to be effective in a variety of ministries.

The Program: How it Works-Reflection Theological Reflection is one thing that makes EFM more than a bible study. Theological reflection is the hallmark of EFM. Discussion and guided reflection provide the opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of the materials.

The Program: How it Works-Reflection The goal is to teach students to think theologically by: Examining their own beliefs and their relationship to our culture; Examining the tradition of our Christian faith; Learning what it means to be effective ministers in the world. EFM ties the head knowledge to the heart knowledge and then gives students the tools to use that connection in their ministries.

The Program: How it Works-Reflection Through theological reflection, students come to terms with the notion that everything we do has the potential for manifesting the love of Christ and learn their ministries are at hand wherever they turn. We are all called to ministry theological reflection helps us learn how to be cognizant of our ministry opportunities.

The Program: How it Works-Worship Worship together is an extremely important aspect of the seminar group session. This is what cements the relationship of the group in relationship to God. Life of prayer and worship together supports the seminar group Groups are encouraged to develop a pattern of worship appropriate to the group.

The Role of the Mentor Every group is required to have a mentor who is trained by Sewanee for this role. Trained mentors serve as facilitators, guides and group administrators. There is no lecture. The teacher s role is built into the program materials in terms of promoting class discussion.

The Role of the Mentor The mentor has to wear several hats: As the administrator, the mentor communicates with the Programs Center at Sewanee. The mentor is an enabler, not an informer of students. She or he may be lay or ordained. First and foremost, the mentor is the person who enables students to recognize their potential.

Who Should be a Mentor? A dispute arose among them, as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But he said to them, The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority are called to be benefactors. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table, or one who serves? Is it not one at the table? But I among you as one who serves. Luke 22:24-27, NRSV

Who Should be a Mentor? Mentors wear 3 hats and they are all servant s hats: To be a guide/facilitator for the group. To participate in the group. To be the local administrator for the group.

Should I be a Mentor? I can lead a group through theological reflection. I can foster an atmosphere where people feel free to express themselves. I can articulate my thoughts and feelings and honor the thoughts and feelings of others. I can guide a group in the midst of ambiguity, unanswered questions, serious doubts, and strong convictions. I can judge appropriate times to challenge ideas or behaviors of individuals and/or the group.

Should I be a Mentor? The mentor serves the group as a guide to the journey, helps the group become confident in their abilities to think theologically and to develop a mutually supportive environment for learning and practicing the Christian life. I can allow people to disagree. I am familiar with the historical-critical approach to biblical interpretation. I have experienced serious religious study. I can refrain from being the expert. I am willing to have my ideas challenged. I can support people through a crisis without having to fix it for them.

The Role of the Mentor-Participant The mentor as a participant in class activity: Each group member should be allowed to contribute to the mentoring of the group. The mentor should participate as another student in the journey. The roles between student and mentor during class discussion becomes more fluid as the confidence of the students increases.

The Role of the Mentor-Administrator As an administrator, you will be an independent contractor with the University of the South and as such will be paid an honorarium. The mentor is responsible for: Following the guidelines of the Manual for Mentors; Recruiting and enrolling students; Ordering and distributing materials; Completing Group Status Reports; Certifying students for Continuing Education Units; and Certifying students for graduation.

The Role of the Mentor-Accountability Mentors are required to attend Mentor Training every 12 to 18 months. The Programs Center reserves the right to withhold honoraria when a mentor fails to meet his or her responsibility. This is usually temporary. In rare and extreme cases the Programs Center reserves the right to remove a person from the role of EFM mentor.

Should I be a Mentor? If you now believe you should be a mentor, you are required to attend Mentor Training before starting a seminar group.

Mentor Training Sewanee offers different levels of training for mentors with various amounts of experience: Beginning mentors are accredited with a basic course called Mentor Training Training options: 1. Your diocese 2. Sewanee 3. Other diocesan mentor training After 2 Mentor Trainings: A mentor may be certified by the trainer to participate in Formation Training After 3 consecutive Mentor Training / Formation Training events: An active mentor may petition the Programs Center to attend Alternate Training All mentor training must be a minimum of 18 clock hours of attendance and participation in the event.

Costs of Mentor Training The cost of travel and training: Is borne by the mentor. Is tax-deductible as a business expense if you are receiving honoraria as a mentor with an active seminar group. Some churches pay for mentors to train. This is something to take up with your clergy or with your Vestry.

Sponsorship The Diocese of Southwest Florida is a Judicatory Sponsor. The Diocese has contracted with the University of the South to offer EFM. The Bishop has appointed a Diocesan Coordinator who: Serves as the liaison with the Programs Center. Provides information on the EFM program, mentor training and fees. Students who take EFM under a Judicatory Sponsor are offered a reduced tuition rate. EFM works with all denominations and will make special contractual relationships to cover agreements with other denominations.

Starting an EFM Group Develop a plan to recruit students. Involve your clergy and lay professionals to compile a list of people they think would be interested in a theological education program that requires a commitment of time, energy and money. Your list may include members of other congregations and other denominations.

Starting an EFM Group Contact potential students: Write or call prospective students to briefly tell them about EFM. Engage your clergy and other lay professionals to help you make these contacts.

Starting an EFM Group Plan an introductory meeting after you complete Mentor Training. Invite prospective students to an introductory meeting. Also plan to invite current students and graduates to this meeting. Design an outline to give prospective students a taste of the EFM program content and style. There is a suggested outline in the Manual for Mentors. Make sure prospective students have a copy of the Prospectus. Ask current students and graduates to talk about their experience in EFM. Their energy will surprise you.

Enrollment, Tuition and Credits EFM is a four-year curriculum: Each year follows a nine-month academic cycle. Students enroll for one cycle at a time. Groups may enroll in any month from September through May. New groups are not enrolled in June, July or August.

Enrollment, Tuition and Credits Financial Viability: Minimum of six (6) students / group to be financially viable. Groups are limited to a maximum of twelve (12) students. This creates an effective learning environment and opportunities for all to participate. Students pay their full tuition at the time of enrollment. If a student moves, they may transfer to another seminar group. Students may be placed on inactive status if for some reason they are not able to complete a year. They may rejoin the class at that same point in any future year without owing tuition.

Enrollment, Tuition and Credits Tuition: Full tuition is $460 per year. Tuition under a Judicatory Sponsorship is $350 per year. If you have 7 full-paying students, you may offer reduced tuition ($160) to an eighth student. If you have 8 full-paying students, you may offer reduced tuition to 2 students.

Enrollment, Tuition and Credits Tuition: Tuition pays for the EFM materials. Tuition pays for the mentor s honorarium. Students will still need to provide their own Bible and may want to obtain other additional reading materials recommended in the resource bibliographies.

Enrollment, Tuition and Credits Students are granted 18 Continuing Education Units for each year they complete of the EFM program. There are no examinations or papers. EFM is not a course offering college credits toward a degree. EFM is not a substitute for seminary.