EfM: Education for Ministry

What is EfM?

Education for Ministry (EfM) is a four-year program in religious studies and reflection from the School of Theology at the University of the South. Participants enroll one year at a time*, meeting weekly in a small group (no less than 6 people, no more than 12), with a trained mentor.

Seminar groups are a safe place to learn, to think aloud, to ponder, to discuss, to see where God is moving in participants' lives. Conversations are confidential and respectful. Each person is in a different place in their faith journey and each has something to contribute to the discussion.

* Program year is 9 months.

How do I enroll and what is the cost?

Visit the EfM Sewanee website HERE for more information on enrollment and fees. The cost in the Diocese of Hawai'i is currently $375 a year.

Do not let the cost keep you from joining a group. Please contact a mentor about other possibilities as help is often available.

EfM Groups in Hawai'i

Education for Ministry is currently offered at the following churches. For more information, e-mail the EfM contact for each church through the contact link.

Parish of St. Clement (Pictured above)
1515 Wilder Avenue, Honolulu
Contact

St. Christopher's Episcopal
93 N. Kainalu Drive, Kailua
Contact

St. James Episcopal
65-1237 Kawaihae Road, Kamuela (Big Island)
Contact

Online groups are also available for those unable to attend face to face groups. Please e-mail John Sucke if you are interested in this possibility.

EfM Mentors & Mentor Training

The EfM mentor brings skills in working effectively with small groups. Responsibility for the life of the group life belongs to everyone, but the mentor is the convener as well as being a group member. The mentor works to allow everyone an opportunity to learn, to share, and to discover.The mentor is a guide and a facilitator, but not a teacher and not a therapist. Mentors can be either lay or clergy.

Mentor training and accreditation by an EfM trainer is required. Mentors must renew their accreditation every 18 months. If you are interested in being an EfM mentor, please see this site for requirements: http://efm.sewanee.edu/mentor-training/efm-mentor-training. .

We are planning a mentor training weekend on O'ahu, May 24-26, 2019. Please e-mail Pam McCoy for more information.

TOM KING
St. Christopher's Episcopal
Kailua, O'ahu

PAM MC COY
Parish of St. Clement
Honolulu, O'ahu

Being a mentor for an EfM group is a chance to learn from others, to challenge my own thinking, to deepen understanding, to share insights and ‘Aha’ moments. Together we grapple with troubling Biblical passages, and ugly times in church history. We wrestle with theology, we marvel at lyrical passages, we pray. We grow individually and as a group.

BETH MC KEEN
St. James' Episcopal
Kamuela, Hawai'i Island

JOHN SUCKE
St. James' Episcopal
Kamuela, Hawai'i Island

I believe EfM is crucial to the future of the church. I have seen it awaken and strengthen so many participants. The course provides the solid foundation we all need to minister to our broken world. It cuts through intimidating church terminology and enables us to get to the heart of faith.

EfM Graduates Share...

SOANE LINO

I like EFM because it enlightens me to understand the new lifestyle socially, spiritually and academically when migrating from Tonga to the USA. I also learn from my classmates when I see their ministries to the community which is not just understanding the light of God but to live it!

My EfM Journey
JANE TONOKAWA, Emmanuel

I am a prime example of the mantra “Never Give Up.” Before I started EfM, I must have been asked 10 times by Deacon Eleanore Akina and Nancy Rowe. They never gave up on me, and allowed me to make the decision when I was ready. I am grateful for that.

In the Fall of 2004, I started my EfM journey meeting at Emmanuel and St. Christopher’s. I continued for three years, then stopped. Then I resumed for my final year in 2010, graduating in May 2011.

The people in the group were special; we were all vulnerable and vowed to keep what was said confidential. We laughed, cried, even disagreed; but we saw others’ perspectives and respected that.

I enjoyed opening each session with an “On Board” topic that helped to make us present for the rest of the evening. The personal Spiritual Autobiographies were especially interesting as it made us understand each other and think about where we are on our own Christian journeys.

I definitely would recommend it for individuals looking to delve deeper into their faith. People may learn something about themselves (and others).

Course Content:

YEAR ONE
First year group members study the Old Testament and can include the Bible, Short Introduction to the Hebrew Bible, The Hebrew Bible, Feminist and Intersectional Perspectives.

YEAR TWO
In the second year, members continue with study of the Bible, and Introducing the New Testament.

YEAR THREE
In the third year, members study church history from its beginning to the present with Christianity, the First Three Thousand Years.

YEAR FOUR
Fourth year members study theology with Theology, a Very Brief Introduction, Mysteries of Faith, The Christian Moral Life, and My Neighbor's Faith

During the seminar meetings, groups also do an exercise in theological reflection using the Education for Ministry, Reading and Reflection Guide.

In the Fall and Spring, we read a short Interlude Book such as Living Into God's Dream and Faithful Neighbors.

Readings generally take 2-3 hours a week.