What is Education for Ministry?

EfM is a comprehensive educational program involving an intensive study of Christianity. Participants learn from their own experience, from others, from the Scriptures and the history of the Church.

For whom is EfM intended?

Many people want more understanding of the Bible and the Church, as well as support in everyday ministry. Some want training in skills to be better listeners, or to be parish visitors, to help others to faith, or to assist people in difficult times. Some want to make connections between the faith and their everyday life. These are the kinds of needs which EfM seeks to meet.

What are the main components of EfM?

First, a personal reading of materials designed to enable each participant without a teacher being present, to learn the lessons. A study guide for each lesson assists to deepen understanding of the content, to begin integrating the content into life and to prepare for the group seminar. Second, participants meet together each week or each fortnight. In these small “communities of learning” each is encouraged to make the connection between the everyday experience of life and the lesson content.

What is covered in the lessons?

The lessons cover the Christian heritage. The ‘story of the people of God’ is presented from its beginnings some 3,500 years ago through to modern times. As the story unfolds, participants learn how the people of God, at various times, thought about God, themselves and the world; how they lived out their lives; and how they worshipped God as individuals and as a community. These lessons bring the story of the church to Australia and to the present time. From this broad presentation, participants come to understand contemporary theology, ethical principles, and the communal life and individual spirituality of the modern Church.

What happens the group meetings?

In the group seminars, participants share insights and seek clarification of the lesson content by discussion and further research together. Through the development of skills in theological reflection, they learn to reflect upon their experience and be more intentional in their life and in the exercise of ministry. The EfM program seeks to integrate the content of the Christian tradition with each participant’s own life experience. The purpose of this integration is to enable individual life and ministry to be inspired by what is being studied.

Who are the group leaders?

Each EfM group functions under the leadership of an accredited “mentor” who guides the group and administers the program. The mentor is not expected to ‘impart’ information about the Christian tradition. The teaching role is ‘built into’ the lessons and participants take responsibility for their own learning. The mentor facilitates development in reflective learning.

What qualifications are needed to start EfM?

No prior qualifications are required for EfM beyond an ability to read discerningly. This type of course assumes that adults who have sufficient motivation to enrol in a serious educational program will obtain from it what they want. Many EfM participants have had no previous formal study in either theology or other fields.

How much time does EfM require?

Generally about four hours of reading and reflection and a seminar session of two-and-a-half hours is required each week. The group’s working time usually runs to about forty weeks each year.’ Normally, groups choose a pattern of meeting which breaks for school holidays, but it is possible to make local arrangements that suit the group.

How long does it take to complete EfM?

Enrolment is for one year’s work at a time, beginning with Year 1 and continuing to Year 4. Most participants go on to complete the program in four years.

Is it possible to take just a few subjects?

No, not in the usual sense, since EfM features an integrated learning approach. It does not offer subjects, such as New Testament and Church History, and then expect the student to bring them together into a unified picture. It is possible to do only one year. In this case, the major themes of the first year’s readings and those which arise in reflection on life and ministry will be encountered, and the participant will be greatly helped in seeing life from one standpoint. Naturally, insights from later periods in the history of the people of God would be missing.

What additional resources are needed?

A study Bible, and in Year 3 a collection of the historical documents of the church. Since the EfM lessons assume that theological libraries are not readily available to participants they are full documents and other textbooks are not required. Even so, references are included for further reading to assist those choosing to do further research.

What do participants gain from EfM?

Since EfM began in 1975, thousands of people have found in it the foundation for living out their Christian vocation in their everyday communities. EfM assists individuals and communities to understand the call to service and to respond with meaning.

What does participation in EfM cost?

It requires a considerable investment of time and energy as each participant engages in a continuous process of reading, reflecting, sharing and praying. Most participants use 150 hours per year in private study, and about 100 hours per year working with a group. The individual cost of enrolment in a year of EfM depends upon the size of the local group. Mentors are advised by December of the enrolment fees for the coming calendar year. The mentor will advise the cost to the individuals when the number of the group is known.

Where does EfM come from?

Education for Ministry has been developed through the Anglican School of Theology, University of the South, Sewanee, USA. It is administered in Australia by The Anglican Church Diocese of Brisbane trading as EfMAustralia. EfM is worldwide. Besides Australia and the USA, there are groups in Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand, Honduras, Hong Kong, Guam, Mexico, The Bahamas, Italy, Switzerland and West Germany.

How can I find out more about EfM?

While this page answers some of the frequently asked questions about EfM, a good strategy for learning more about the Program is to talk with participants or mentors who are involved with the Program, and perhaps visit a group.

Who can be contacted about EfM?

Ask at your Parish Office if local mentors or participants are known, and how to contact your EfM Diocesan Coordinator. If you wish to know where an EfM group is operating near you, then contact the EfM National Administrator at P0 Box 535 BORONIA VIC 3155 Phone: 03 9762 6055 Fax: 03 9761 2344 E-mail: efm(at)efma.info This material, correct at publication in October 2003, is subject to change without notice