Education for Ministry
Education for Ministry (EfM) is a Christian formation program for laypeople, developed by the School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee. Rooted in scripture, theology, and thoughtful reflection, EfM helps participants explore their faith, deepen their spiritual lives, and discover how God is calling them to serve in the world. In many dioceses, EfM also forms part of the preparation for the diaconate.
How it Works
EfM offers theological education and practices, context, conversation, and community for:
- Exploring faith matters and big meaning-making questions of faith and life.
- Finding one’s ways of being and doing in response to baptismal promises and God’s call.
- Pathfinding, formation, sustaining, and transformation.
The Journey with God 2025-2026 may be experienced in two ways.
Both follow EfM’s Core Practices: Living in Community; Prayer and Worship; Study of Christian Tradition; Theological Reflection; Vocational Discernment. Seminar groups can be all Classic, or all Wide Angle, or blended. EfM seminar groups can meet onsite at a venue, or online on Zoom, or some of both. Learn more on the Sewanee website.
EfM Classic
The four-year experience, now renamed & revamped in its 50th year. Participants commit to just one year at a time.
The four Classic years:
- Year 1: The Hebrew Bible Old Testament
- Year 2: The New Testament
- Year 3: Church History
- Year 4: Christian Ethics and Spirituality
EfM Wide Angle
- The new one-year experience. New in 2025. One year and done.
- A sampling or taste of all things EfM.
- For people seeking a lower intensity, lower commitment formation path and EfM alums seeking to return.