In our June 9 issue of The VOICE Online, an article regarding the Education for Ministry (EfM) program described the many reasons that an individual may decide to explore more of the Christian faith. Reasons such as curiosity, deeper understanding of our faith tradition, or possibly a period of discernment to find your ministry niche. For it says in Romans 12:6, “We have different gifts that are consistent with God’s grace that has been given to us,” and the EfM program helps us discover or renew our gifts for the community. To guide us on our journey, there are weekly readings, discussions, and theological reflections guided by a mentor or mentors, and in this writing, we will look at the reading materials used in EfM.
EfM participants enroll for one year of study at a time and commit to participation in a 36-week cycle which usually covers a nine-month period. New participants begin at year one, then enroll for each consecutive year of the four-year program. A year of study focuses on a common theme, and heading into the 2021-2022 program year, it happens to begin again at Year A, with the theme of Living Faithfully in Your World. The subsequent years as of this writing are scheduled to be Year B: Living Faithfully in a Multicultural World, Year C: Living as Spiritually Mature Christians and Year D: Living into the Journey with God. With each yearly cycle there is a new Reading and Reflection guide which lists the assignments for the week and includes supplemental readings, theological reflection guidelines and examples. Interlude books (a common reading for all participants regardless of what year of study they are in) are based on that year’s theme. For the coming cycle, Year A, the interlude books will be: The Dream of God by Verna Dozier, and The Church Cracked Open by the Rev. Stephanie Spellers.
Year one enrollment begins with a focus on the Hebrew Bible, which has required Old Testament Bible readings, including books from the apocrypha, along with the supplemental textbooks of: A Short Introduction to the Hebrew Bible, Third Ed. by John J. Collins along with The Hebrew Bible: Feminist & Intersectional Perspectives, edited by Gale Yee. As a member advances to year two, the focus is The New Testament, readings come from the New Testament, with supplemental textbooks: Introducing the New Testament, Second Ed., by Mark Allan Powell and What Are Biblical Values? by John J. Collins. Year three has a focus of Christian History reading from the textbook, Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years by Diarmaid MacCulloch, and finishing up year four, with Theology, Ethics, and Interfaith Encounter, the readings are: Theology: A Very Short Introduction by David F. Ford, Mysteries of Faith by Mark McIntosh, The Christian Moral Life by Timothy F. Sedgwick, My Neighbor’s Faith, edited by Jennifer Howe Peace, Or N. Rose, & Gregory Mobley.
It is not mandatory to finish all four years within a time limit. Many participants have taken a year or two off before completing the program. This is also true of relocating, as there are numerous EfM groups that meet in person and virtually throughout the world.
A participant may not advance to the next year unless sufficient effort is attained for the previous year. Yes, life gets in the way sometimes, and our priorities may change, leaving little room for focusing on EfM participation, but that is where the group and the mentor(s) work together to guide and support whatever life throws at us. A good many EfM participants who journey through the program together continue their friendships and ministries long after graduation. Some, like myself, continue participating after graduation as a mentor.
Enrolling in an Education for Ministry program takes commitment not only to the group you join, but more importantly to yourself as you can take away a little or an abundance of spiritual growth from the program – it is all up to the individual. There are many resources handy, including our diocesan coordinator and many mentors throughout our diocese who would gladly answer any questions you may have regarding meeting times and group dynamics. There are even groups that welcome a visit from prospective members during a group session to get a firsthand look and feel of the program and group before making a commitment.
If there is any interest, please check our website, efm-newark.com. There you will find a list of groups that are currently running and looking to expand in the coming year.
It must be obvious by now that I have a true love of the Education for Ministry program. Quite honestly, it set me on fire with a passion to do more for my church community and my neighborhood through self-reflection and group study. I have met wonderful people from various churches and dioceses with whom I continue to share life stories, seek out new ministries and explore not only our Christian faith in new ways, but also learn to appreciate and experience other faith traditions as well.
Education for Ministry was specifically designed for the lay person to explore deeper how Christ is calling us to be in the world, to be the hands and face of Christ, to live out the Word of God with the gifts God has given us. To explore, to understand, to share those gifts, Education for Ministry may be one of the best starting points on your journey of faith.
Check it out at efm.sewanee.edu or efm-newark.com, or better yet, ask an EfM graduate for a firsthand experience regarding the many rewards of the program.
