Education for Ministry e-mail from Kathy Schillreff

Bishop Lipscomb said in a recent article that he thinks Episcopalians are biblically illiterate.  I’m not sure I agree, but I think many of us are at least somewhat illiterate when it comes to ecclesiology and theology.  The solution to all of these illiteracies is right at hand.  It’s EfM.

I have been mentoring EfM groups for about 7 years now.  However, because of moves, I’ve just been with a group for the whole 4 year program.  I am more convinced than ever that every congregation should have at least one EfM seminar.

EfM provides comprehensive, experiential education in the foundations of our Christian faith.  It is a distance learning theological education program of the School of Theology at Sewanee.  It is a four year program during which participants study Bible, church history and 20^th century theology.  Participants commit one year at a time.  The cost is $340 per year.

EfM is for lay people.  All Christians receive a call to ministry at baptism.  EfM provides the basics of a theological education to develop knowledge and confidence about the ministry we all share.  EfM is nearly 30 years old – it has stood the test of time.  There are thousands of participants in the US and around the world.

In my experience EfM opens people up – they are able to go deeper in scripture and they are exposed to the good, the bad and the ugly of church history.  They are introduced to the important theologians from the beginning up to the late 20^th century.  I’m sure the next revision of the material will contain even more contemporary people.  EfM is not just academic learning.  Most important is the theological reflection component.  Participants learn to think theologically and to make connections between THE story and their stories.  Since its education FOR ministry, there is a discernment piece that is vital to the program as well.

Trained mentors lead the seminar.  There is a mentor training scheduled for Day Spring, August 27-29.  Rocks-Ann Paul, at Christ Church Bradenton, is our diocesan coordinator.  Call her at church to let her know you are interested in mentor training.

I would also be happy to talk to clergy and lay leaders of congregations about starting EfM.  Call me at St. Monica’s (239-591-4550) or email me at kschillreff@stmonicas.org.  I’ll be away until July 8^th, but I’ll be checking email.