EFM will again be offered this year at All Souls. Tom Crook will continue as the Mentor for the All Souls classes; he will be joined by Bev Gaines as co-mentor.
EFM is a program of theological education at a distance administered by the School of Theology of the University of the South, Sewanee, TN. It covers the basics of a theological education in the Old and New Testaments, church history, liturgy, ethics, and theology. The program is ecumenical and non-denominational.
The program consists of personal study of the texts provided by Sewanee, and seminars in which the EFM Group meets for worship, discussion of the texts, and theological reflection. At times the seminars are supplemented by sharing such activities as spiritual autobiographies, spiritual highlights, and agape meals.
The overall objective of the EFM program is to better equip Christians for their personal lay ministries. EFM graduates come away with a better understanding of the Scriptures and of the history of the church. Many will find themselves in a closer relationship with God.
EFM is not a Bible study, although EFM students will study the Bible. EFM will not provide a lecture on the week’s lesson, although participants may address specific questions at the seminar. EFM will not tell what to believe, although it will provide tools to help members focus their beliefs. EFM will not solve personal or spiritual problems, although members will find support from the EFM group.
EFM is a four-year program, but students commit to only one year at a time. The All Souls EFM group meets every Tuesday from 6:30 to 9:00. The meetings start and end on time. Preparation for the seminars consists of studying the texts and reading material for the week’s seminar. Participants typically spend from two to five hours a week in preparation.
Additional information and registration materials may be obtained from Tom Crook (545-8545) or Bev Gaines (253-2652).