O God, you have taught me
since I was young and
to this day I tell of your
wonderful works.

Psalm 71:17
 

EfM is an in-depth program of study in scripture, church history, and theology, offered by extension from the School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, TN.  It will teach you to think theologically, will deepen your faith and your understanding of our Christian heritage, and will give you new confidence in discerning and carrying out whatever your ministry may be. 

EfM is a safe place where people find their faith, refine their faith, become articulate in their faith, and live their faith.

What is the purpose of EfM?

Every Christian receives a call to Christ’s ministry at baptism. Yet, in a complex and confusing world, lay persons need an education that supports their faith and teaches them to express that faith in their day-to-day lives.

Through study, prayer, and reflection, EfM helps participants attain new and deeper insights into themselves and awareness of the guidance of God in their lives, awakening to God’s particular calling.

How does EfM work?

The seminar group is the nucleus of the Education for Ministry program. A group consists of six to twelve students and a trained mentor, meeting weekly over the course of the academic year. At the meetings, which are usually two-and-one-half hours in length, participants reflect theologically, discuss the materials they have read, and worship together.

What does EfM study?

The EfM curriculum covers four years of study: Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament), New Testament, Church History, and Modern Theology. A detailed prospectus can be found here. Although EfM is a 4-year program, participants make a commitment for one year at a time.

Weekly reading assignments are from study guides provided by Sewanee (the School of Theology). Designed according to principles of adult learning, EfM has no tests or papers; it presupposes that learning is most effective when the student sets his or her own goals.

What is Theological Reflection?

Theological Reflection, a core component of EfM, is a spiritual exercise that allows participants to examine their lives and discover how tradition, culture, and their personal positions on various issues all interact to form their belief systems. “TRs” help participants bridge biblical and theological knowledge with their daily lives.

Why do people participate in EfM?

Many participants simply want to increase their knowledge of the Christian faith. Some want to continue their spiritual formation, or they wish to prepare for special lay ministries. While some people discover a calling to a new ministry during EfM, others learn that their ministry is found in the daily activities of their families, work, and community life.

Over 60,000 people have participated in EfM to date, and the 14,000+ graduates have become a source of informed, committed, and theologically articulate lay leaders for the church.

Who are the mentors?

Mentors are men and women from a variety of professions who are trained and certified by Sewanee. Mentors serve as guides and facilitators, and members of the group are actively involved in its leadership. Mentors are comfortable with helping others express their points of view and have the ability to lead a group effectively. EfM mentors complete an 18-hour training session in order to lead a seminar group and must attend further training every 18 months.

The mentor at St. Augustine’s is Debbie Buesing. She has completed two EfM training sessions as well as coursework at Seabury-Western seminary.

What EfM is not:

EfM is not the same as Bible Study. While biblical studies form the primary work of the first two years, EfM students also learn how to understand the Bible within its historical context and literary setting. EfM takes seriously God’s revelation through all of Christian tradition, from the earliest biblical messages, through the development of liturgy and theology, and even in the context of the challenges we face in the 21^st century.

EfM is not personal therapy or problem solving. While EfM groups develop a close community in order to go deeply into matters of faith and theology, the group does not exist as a setting for analyzing personal and social problems. In an EfM group, members may wish to share various aspects of their lives; but EfM is not a place to press individuals to talk about those things they would prefer to leave unexamined.

And finally, EfM is not an academic problem leading to a degree or an ordination program.

Registration Information

·   Registration for the EfM group at St Augustine’s is done on an academic-year basis.

·   Tuition is $340 per year and includes materials. This is a reduced rate because the Diocese of Chicago is an EfM sponsor.

·   Participants enroll one year at a time, can withdraw and re-enroll if unexpected interruptions occur, and can transfer almost anywhere in the USA (and in many foreign countries).

·   EfM participants can obtain 18 Continuing Education Units per year.

·   To enroll, download the Student Enrollment form and Appendix B-1. Return the completed Student Enrollment form, along with your check or credit card information, to the church office.   

“The gift EfM offers to the Church is a laity that is informed theologically and formed reflectively. This formation takes place within communities committed to ministry defined through discernment. EfM communities, at their best, stand on a solid foundation of tradition, possess a secure understanding of self, recognize the cultural and contextual nuances of the world in which we all live, and are able to articulate their deepest values and beliefs.

“A theologically reflective laity responds differently to challenges facing the Church than a reactive laity. The "reflective" laity acts out of identified values and beliefs. The "reactive" laity acts out of emotion. The Church is full of reactive Christians. However, EfM can serve as a vehicle for God-given transformation in a world often resistant to change and transition, driven by fear and defensiveness.”

--Johnna Camp, Interim Director of EfM

Questions may be directed to Debbie Buesing.