EfM invites the people of God to discern and act in faith through small group reflection.
Education for Ministry
Education for Ministry (EfM) lives in the School of Theology at the University of the South at Sewanee. It is a unique four-year small-group formation program based on study and practice in theological reflection. Since its founding in 1975, this international program has assisted more than 120,000 participants discover and nurture their call to Christian service where they live, work, and play. EfM helps the faithful discover the Christian tradition, bringing it into conversation with their experiences of the world. EfM seminar groups meet in onsite and online, all in person, developing theologically informed, reflective, and articulate seekers of God.
Many people have been taught that one must be ordained to be a minister, but our vows at baptism say something different: that all baptized Christians are ministers. God calls us to be active participants in ministry. What is that ministry? As the Church, we are called to continue the ministry of Jesus. We are called to be the hands, heart, and incarnate body of Christ in our own place through worship, reflection, in service to others, and by the proclamation of God’s Word to all people.
The EfM program is designed to help Christians prepare for their ministry. It is that vocation for which we pray at the end of the communion service: “And now, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord.”
During the service of Confirmation, we ask God to “Renew in these your servants the covenant you made with them at Baptism. Send them forth in the power of the Spirit to perform the service you set before them.” EfM offers an opportunity to discover how to respond to the call to a Christian life.
Contact Us: 800.722.1974
