Education for Ministry

"EfM" redirects here. For other uses, see EFM.

Education for Ministry (EfM) is a program of theological education-at-a-distance which originated at the University of the South School of Theology, while Urban T. Holmes III was dean,[1] drawing on the work of the Jesuit theologian Bernard Lonergan.[2] It was previously known as Theological Education by Extension (TEE).[3] While the program is not exclusive to the Episcopal Church, it is mainly found in parishes of that church. Study is conducted in small groups consisting of 6-12 members, facilitated by mentors who have been certified by the EfM program. It is a four-year program of study covering the Old and New Testaments, the history of the Christian religion, and theology. Persons seeking either ordained or lay ministries may enroll.[4]

It is used in many dioceses of the Anglican Communion in North America and throughout the world (students are active in Australia, Central America, Europe, New Zealand, South America and the United Kingdom, as well as Canada and the US), from progressive to traditional, and Anglo-Catholic to evangelical,[citation needed] including Southern Ohio (Cincinnati),[5] Massachusetts (Boston),[6] Springfield, Illinois,[7] Canada,[8] Central Pennsylvania,[9] and Albany, New York.[10]

  1. ^ EfM is a four-year theological education program offered "at a distance" by the School of Theology at the University of the South at Sewanee.
  2. ^ Frank Wade (2008), Transforming Scripture, Church Publishing, ISBN 0-89869-594-5, pp. 69–71.
  3. ^ R. David Cox (2004), Priesthood in a new millennium: toward an understanding of Anglican presbyterate in the twenty-first century, Church Publishing, ISBN 0-89869-388-8, P. 412.
  4. ^ See, e.g., Saints Alive!, newsletter, July/Aug. 2005, found at All Saints Brookline web site Archived 2008-07-19 at the Wayback Machine. Accessed December 4, 2007.
  5. ^ "Diocese of Southern Ohio web site page on EfM". Archived from the original on 2007-08-08. Retrieved 2007-12-02.
  6. ^ "Trinity Church Boston web site page on EfM". Archived from the original on 2008-07-25. Retrieved 2007-12-02.
  7. ^ "Episcopal Diocese of Illinois web site page on EfM". Archived from the original on 2008-08-07. Retrieved 2007-12-02.
  8. ^ "EfM Canada official web site". Archived from the original on 2009-04-01. Retrieved 2007-12-02.
  9. ^ Education for Ministry, see Salem College website Outstanding Alumnae Awards 2008 page on Nancy Walker Marchal '58. Retrieved September 29, 2008.
  10. ^ "Episcopal Diocese of Albany web site page on Efm". Archived from the original on 2008-05-09. Retrieved 2007-12-02.