Education for Ministry is a serious learning program which accepts the basic challenge for all Christian Education which is to enable people to see and to experience the connection between faith and daily life. It is a significant Adult Christian Education endeavour requiring a high level of commitment by mentor and member.

The Readings present the Story of the People of God from its beginnings some 3,500 years ago through to modern times. As the story unfolds, participants learn how the People of God thought about God, about themselves and the world; how they lived their faith; how they related with others; and how they worshipped as individuals and as a community.

The later chapters bring the Story to Australia and to the present time, and then deal with major theological themes associated with life themes in which we are confronted with choices. Through guided exploration and personal reflection, participants are able to deepen their perceptions of the Story and connect with it.

The community established by the regular group seminars is at the centre of EfM.

Within the group seminar, participants share their insights and through discussion clarify their understandings of the tradition. As the skills of theological reflection are mastered by the group, the participants learn to reflect on their own experience with a view to being more intentional about their life and the exercise of their ministry.

Ministries of serving and proclaiming are undertaken everyday by every baptised person. The challenge resides in the quality of ministry.

EfM provides good education for lay people. While it is vital for clergy to have access to the best theological and ministry education possible, the education of the laity is of no less importance. Frequently lay people have the difficult and often subtle task of interpreting the richness of the faith in the neighbourhood, shopping centre, work place, sporting club, and school.

Entry is open and it is assumed that those who enrol are motivated to study. No formal qualifications are necessary. Though EfM is a four year course, the participants in each parish group commit themselves for each year’s work.

EfM, which has been used in Australia since 1978, is made available by the Anglican Church of Australia Diocese of Brisbane operating as EfM Education For Ministry Australia

Since EfM began, thousands have found in it a foundation for living out their Christian vocation in their local community. EfM assists individuals and communities to understand the call to service and to respond with meaning. Ministry ‘in’ the Church - the practice of Christian living, and the Ministry ‘of’ the Church - the engagement in mission to the world, are the vocation of all the baptised.

Getting Started in the Parish

EfM seminar groups are led by trained and accredited mentors, and mentor training events are regularly scheduled throughout Australia.

For local information contact a regional coordinator near you:

ADELAIDE - Gwyneth Ottrey 08 8239 1779

BATHURST - Joan Smith 02 6362 3375

BRISBANE - Adele Sinclair 07 3300 1027

CANB/GOULB - Michael Richards 02 6227 5769

GIPPSLAND - Marilyn Obersby 03 5633 1021

GRAFTON - Robyn Priest 02 6685 6431

MELBOURNE - Jamie Miller 0428 320 668

NEWCASTLE - Richard Turnbull 02 4955 0370

PERTH - Greg Davies 08 9384 9244

To contact the National Administrator of EfM in Australia:

Ph: 03 9762 6055 Fx: 03 9761 2344

EfM AUSTRALIA PO Box 535 Boronia Vic 3155

E-mail: efm@efma.info