Education for Ministry, affectionately known as EFM, is a program of theological education-at-a-distance of the School of Theology of the University of the South. Students sign up one year at a time for this four-year program. It covers the basics of a theological education in the Old and New Testaments, church history, liturgy, and theology. Students meet regularly, usually once a week, in seminars under the guidance of trained mentors. The program grants a certificate at the completion of the four years and 18 Continuing Education Units for each year’s work.

What Can You Expect From EFM? You will find that EFM teaches you how to think theologically, deepens your faith and your understanding of our Christian heritage, and provides you with a new confidence to be Christ’s minister.

The photograph shows the 2007-08 EFM class held in conjunction with The Hanover-with- Brunswick and Saint Paul’s Parishes. (Attendees include Ruby Bales, Rev Diane Carroll(Mentor), Linda Hutt, Linda Cramer, Charles Pasto, Barbara Ritter, John Ritter, and Laura-Stuart Taylor). See St. Paul’s Photo Collection for more pictures.

The Education for Ministry is a program of study of the entire sweep of the Christian tradition from the earliest period to the present. Participants learn the disciplines of biblical exegesis (involves an extensive and critical interpretation of an authoritative text, especially of a holy scripture, such as of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible) systematic theology, church history, ethics, liturgics, and sectical theology.

The traditional content is not studied in a vacuum. Students belong to a small “community of learning” in which the events of each person’s life may be examined in light of the materials being studied. While the course materials provide substantial academic content, the focus of the program is on life as a ministry and understanding that ministry. EFM provides Christians with the basic skills which is the foundation of all Christian ministry-theological reflection.

The program recommends thirty six group meetings during the course of the academic year (2 hr, each). The reading includes thirty-four lessons and five common lessons which help the group to get started, to learn to reflect theologically, and to develop its spirituality. The course is organized into years that include study of the Old Testament, the New Testament, Church History and Theological Choices.

The King George EFM class is enhanced by an excellent moderator and a strong group of students that interact exceptionally well and support one another in the learning objectives. There are no examinations or tests other than the increased ability to reflect theologically and further develop spirituality as an individual and as part of the group.

For further information please contact Rev. Diane Carroll (775-3635 or 775-3113), or visit the EFM Web Site: http://www.sewanee.edu/EFM/index.htm