Education for Ministry

Education for Ministry (EfM) is a four-year program of study that is presented under the auspices of the University of the South at Sewanee, Tennessee. EfM provides theological education for lay persons to help them discern and prepare for their ministries.

  • Year One: The Hebrew Bible/Old Testament

  • Year Two: The New Testament

  • Year Three: History of the Church and Christianity

  • Year Four: Theology, ethics, and interfaith encounters

A stack of books including Howard Thurman's Jesus and the Disinherited, Steven Charleston's The Four Vision Quests of Jesus, a Bible, and a book open to a chapter about the Gospel of Matthew along some medieval art of the apostle Matthew.

Several times during the year, all students will read common books or essays and discuss them. The EfM group meets weekly on Sunday afternoons. During these weekly meetings, the group worships together, discusses the materials assigned for the week, and engages in the practice of Theological Reflection.

“I have learned to slow down and to realize that my assumptions about God, religion, and people have been limited and biased. In EfM, I have found the safety to open to God, to others, and to religion in a way that feels authentic and joyful. ”
— Ricki, Year 3

If you are interested in joining the All Saints’ EfM group, watch for the enrollment announcements in July and August, or contact Charles Tyrone, EfM Mentor: (479) 857-0480; ctyrone_49@hotmail.com.

Tuition is $350 for the 2024-2025 term. EfM no longer provides textbooks as part of the enrollment fees, so participants must purchase their own texts. However, many EfM books are available to borrow from the church library. Scholarships and financial aid are also available to help with tuition and the cost of materials.