Education for Ministry
Not Just Another Bible Study
This is my 2nd time participating in Education for Ministry, the first being about 30 years ago. I have more questions now than before. It is a little tricky describing EfM. It’s not a Bible study and it’s not Sunday school. It is a lot of reading. We covered most of the Old Testament in year 1 along with supplemental books. Realizing after much reading, it appears the end product, the Old Testament, is sometimes chronologically out of order, sometimes unbelievable, repetitive, allegorical, and mixed together with epics and sagas seemingly unrelated. And yes, I am very comfortable saying this. The other part of EfM is collectively doing a theological reflection using the Bible as one of our sources – always – along with our culture and personal experiences. Put all this together and growth happens.
I didn’t find all the answers to my questions nor will I. I do know this though…In the beginning God thought, created, and made us in His image. He looks different to each of us and to our neighbors separated by oceans and languages, but He is perfect for all of us. If you don’t mind reading a lot, teasing apart what is real and what isn’t, being okay with not putting it back together neatly with a bow on top, then EfM is there for you to stretch your mind, heart, and soul.
Join us.
Lisa Dempsey
A new year of EfM study will begin this fall. For more information, go to https://theology.sewanee.edu/education-for-ministry/. If you would like more information about Grace’s group, please contact the EfM mentors, Carl Ferguson or Donna Yaughn. They can help you decide if EfM is right for you.