Our FAQs page on Substack provides basic information about EfM and includes downloadable resources and links. It will be frequently updated. As our website is reconfigured (August 2023-December 2023), we hope this page is helpful.
EfM 101
What is Education for Ministry (EfM)?
Education for Ministry(EfM( began in 1975 at the School of Theology of The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, and continues to this day through constituents worldwide! EfM is a four-year program in group reflection and study to support formation for Christian ministry in daily life.
What does it cost to participate in an EfM seminar?
The registration fee to enroll as a participant in EfM is $340.00 a year plus a $10.00 processing cost. After registration is complete, the participant receives the year’s Reading and Reflection Guide, which outlines the year of study and includes essential resources for group life. The participant is responsible for buying all course books for their registration year.
What happens in an EfM seminar?
A typical EfM seminar is composed of five parts:
Worship
Check-in
Theological Reflection
Hospitality
Coursework Reflection
What are the Core Practices of Education for Ministry?
Living in Community
Regular Prayer and Worship
Theological Reflection
Study of the Christian Tradition
Vocational Discernment
What if I cannot find a local onsite group?
EfM offers online groups made up of participants worldwide! LINK HERE to search for a group that might fit your calendar needs.
Mentors
What is an EfM Mentor?
An EfM Mentor is a facilitator and an administrator. An EfM Mentor facilitates theological reflections within a sacred space. The seminar participants create a covenant of group norms and expectations together which addresses how they will study, pray, learn, and have challenging conversations. As our culture encourages divisiveness, a safe space to have conversations regarding matters of religion, tradition, culture, politics, beliefs, and experiences as adults is needed now more than ever. Seminar groups encourage each other to become spiritually mature Christians discerning ministry as mature citizens and followers of the Way.
How does a person become a Mentor?
Mentors attend a training onsite or online every 12 months, with a 6-month grace period, and are accredited to facilitate and administer the program on behalf of the School of Theology, the University of the South at Sewanee.
How does a Mentor register a group?
EfM has moved to a new registration system called PathWright. There are several steps involved in creating an account, so follow all directions closely. If you have an accredited Co-Mentor, they must create an account. Once account creation is complete, approval is needed from EfM’s administrative staff. A detailed description of the “Path” forward to registering a mentor can be found by LINKING HERE.
If the Mentor is accredited, they must begin by creating a new account by LINKING HERE.
Once your account is recognized, you will be approved to go on to the next steps to register your group. During these steps in PathWright, you will enter their email addresses which will generate an invite for them to enter PathWright and register for the mentor’s seminar.
Once the group is registered, the Mentor will need to return to PathWright to order the RRGs for their group. All other required texts for EfM must be ordered by the participant. More information on seminar texts can be found by LINKING HERE.
Participants
How do I register for an EfM Seminar?
Once your administrative mentors have registered your group, you will receive an invitation from PathWright to register for your seminar. Details on the “Path” you will follow to register for your seminar can be found by LINKING HERE.
Training
What is an EfM Training?
EfM offers training for all within our community, including participants, mentors, coordinators, and trainers. Anyone seeking a leadership ministry within the program must be trained and accredited every 12 months, with a 6-month grace period, in order to be a leader in the program.
How much does an EfM training cost?
An EfM training costs $275.00. In a program-sponsored diocese, EfM constituents receive $50.00 off training. Onsite training, returning in 2024, is $275.00 plus lodging and transportation costs.