EfM is a unique four-year certificate program in theological education. In a one-room schoolhouse model, about ten of your fellow St. Jamesians meet weekly for theological study and discussion. You can see more about the curriculum at http://efm.sewanee.edu. As you might expect, our group also adds a good bit of St. James’ unique flavor to the recipe.
Each of us participates in EfM with a different end in mind, but the overarching goal is to explore and nurture who we are and where we are going in our lives of faith. We bring Scripture and other texts into conversation with our questions, ideas, and experiences in the world as we study, worship, and engage in theological reflection together.
EfM at St. James’ will be open for enrollment in Fall 2022 for new students as well as those who have completed part of the program in another parish. The St. James’ EfM group meets weekly. The cost is $325 each year, and scholarships may be available for persons in need. The mentors are De Sellers (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), Bruce Christman, Suzy Stege, and Lizzie Cain Clark.
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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 that supports their faith and also teaches them to express that faith in day-to-day events. As the emphasis on lay ministry has grown, EfM has come to play an important role by providing a program that develops an informed and knowledgeable laity.
The seminar group is the nucleus of the Education for Ministry program. A group consists of six to twelve participants and a trained mentor who meet weekly over the course of a nine-month academic year. These meetings are usually from two and a half to three hours in length. Through study, prayer, and reflection, EfM groups move toward a new understanding of the fullness of God's kingdom.
Participants are given weekly assignments to study with the help of resource guides. Participants are responsible for setting their own learning goals. They spend between two and four hours in study and preparation each week. In the seminars members have an opportunity to share their insights and discoveries as well as to discuss questions that the study materials raise for them.
The required texts are provided, although students will need a Bible and may wish to obtain additional reading materials suggested in the bibliographies.
