Education for Ministry

Education for Ministry (EfM) is a program of theological education-at-a-distance which originated at the University of the South School of Theology. [ [http://www.edowefm.org/ Education for Ministry, affectionately known as EFM, is a program of theological education-at-a-distance of the School of Theology of the University of the South. Students sign up one year at a time for this four-year program.] ]

While the program is not exclusive to the Episcopal Church, it is mainly found in parishes of that church. It is a four-year program and participants receive 18 Continuing Education Units from the University of the South for each year's work.

Persons seeking either ordained or lay ministries may enroll. [See, "e.g.", "Saints Alive!", newsletter, July/Aug. 2005, found at [http://allsaintsbrookline.org/705/news705.html All Saints Brookline web site] . Accessed December 4, 2007.]

It is used is many dioceses of the Anglican communion in North America, from progressive to traditional, and Anglo-catholic to Evangelical, including Southern Ohio (Cincinnati), [ [http://www.angacad.org/efm.htm Diocese of Southern Ohio web site page on EfM] ] Massachusetts (Boston), [ [http://www.trinitychurchboston.org/ministries/acf_education.php Trinity Church Boston web site page on EfM] ] Springfield, Illinois, [ [http://www.episcopalspringfield.org/Ministries/EFM.html Episcopal Diocese of Illinois web site page on EfM] ] Canada, [ [http://members.cnx.net/~efm-canada/index.html EfM Canada official web site] ] Central Pennsylvania,Education for Ministry, see [http://www.salem.edu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1342&Itemid=895 Salem College website Outstanding Alumnae Awards 2008 page on Nancy Walker Marchal '58] . Retrieved September 29, 2008.] and Albany, New York. [ [http://www.albanyepiscopaldiocese.org/ministries/efm.html Episcopal Diocese of Albany web site page on Efm] ]

Effect on participants

One couple, a Jim and Donna Piscopo of Scottsdale, Arizona, were so inspired by their experience of taking Education for Ministry, that they started a ministry for the homeless in their own home.Andrea Natekar Tribune, "Furniture bank gives fresh starts to homeless", originally published in the East Valley Tribune, November 22, 2007, found at [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21927120/ MSNBC story] . Accessed December 4, 2007.] The article stated that:

Graduates have won awards for their ministry and service.

References

ee also

* Deacon
* Church usher

External links

* [http://www.sewanee.edu/EFM/ EFM official web site]