Education for Ministry

By Kay Collier McLaughlin

	Jane Lee Courtney (right), new Diocesan coordinator for EFM

Jane Lee Courtney of St. Peter’s, Paris, will serve as the new Diocesan Coordinator for Education for Ministry. Her experiences as both EFM participant and mentor have generated her passion for seeing the Sewanee-based curriculum available across the Diocese of Lexington.

Courtney describes EFM as

• Learning about the Bible in new ways; learning where the church came from; learning about all of the theologians who have come before us
• Experiencing in a confidential, small group setting what Christian community can be
• Having the option of receiving college credit for local study
• Having the opportunity to look at what God might be saying to me

The Education for Ministry course was written by faculty members at Sewanee, who were asked to distillate the first year of seminary (Old Testament, New Testament, Church History and Theology) into a four-year course which would be led by Sewanee-trained facilitators, who are called “mentors.”  The Rev. Michael “Corky” Carlisle, Courtney’s rector at St. Peter’s, Paris, was one of the seminarians at Sewanee on whom the materials were “tested” 30 years ago.

“One of the important things about this course is that it is not dated material, locked in steel,” Carlisle says. “It is living theology, that is constantly updated as new insights and knowledge demand new reflection. The plan has always been for the material to remain current — to reflect the world we live in.”

Eleven participants and a mentor make up each EFM group.  The usual format sees entry of three year-one members each year, who begin their studies with Old Testament reading and discussion.  No prior study or level of knowledge of scripture or theology are necessary, Courtney emphasizes.  Members read weekly assignments from the Bible and analysis in the EFM text book; of equal importance is the discussion in which individual interpretations and reactions flow.  At the meetings, held weekly during the school year, discussions of New Testament (2^nd year), Church History (3^rd year) and Theology (4^th year) join the Old Testament (1^st year), for an all-important integration and repetition of learnings.  “Common Lessons,” which include spiritual autobiographies and guided theological reflection, help members “see the God moments in life — to see that life is all God-centered,” according to Courtney, and worship are an ongoing part of the experience.   Having served as co-mentor herself, Courtney’s current co-mentor is her son, Danny Courtney, whose wife Tonya is also a member of the group.  Husband Jan Courtney graduated in 2003.

Courtney’s EFM group from St. Peter’s, Paris, enjoys a weekend retreat.

There are things EFM is not.  Not all EFM’ers must be Episcopalians. St. Peter’s two on-going groups include Disciples of Christ, CME and Presbyterians, several of whom have been involved in lay ministry training at Lexington Theological Seminary, and others who describe themselves as total beginners in Bible Study.  EFM is not group therapy — rather a group with a clearly defined process that encourages community and support throughout an intensive learning experience.

Interest in beginning an EFM group in a congregation can originate with the rector, or individuals in the parish who need to talk with their rector and with Courtney about getting started. (Courtney can be reached at JaneCourt@kyk.net.)

What are the benefits?

“If I were to evaluate 30 years of ordained life,” says Carlisle, “I would say that the most significant thing to happen to the church in education is EFM.  It is transforming of people in their understanding of their lives as lives given for ministry.  It is the only thing I know that gives the non-ordained, the non-clerical the kind of knowledge to give them some authority in the life of the church.”

Carlisle served as a mentor when he was a priest in Houston, Texas.  “I see EFM as part of the life-blood of a parish,” he states.  “It requires work; it is a profound commitment. Here at St. Peter’s I believe it has not only provided for our own people, it has strengthened ecumenism, and helped break down the barriers of petty separation.”

As Diocesan EFM Coordinator, Courtney hopes to provide more services for mentors, including communication and on-site mentor training and the required continuing education for mentors and to expand the locations offering EFM, so that no area of the Diocese is unserved.  “When people call and ask where they can find an EFM group,” she says, “I want to be able to point them to a location that is close enough to their parish – if not in their own parish – that they can turn that interest into participation.

And hopefully those smaller parishes who are concerned about having enough people to start a group can see that by extending an invitation to other church groups in their community, they will not only have enough people, but other fine benefits.”

Bishop Sauls says, “I wish every layperson in the church would take EFM.  It is without a doubt the most effective program available today for preparing the primary ministers of the church, the laity, for ministry.  In fact, EFM and promoting EFM was part of every presentation of the Lenten teaching series this year.  The worst thing that can happen in the life of the church is for the pastor to be the only person with an understanding of the Bible and a passion for studying it.  Much mischief has been worked when this has been the case, as we have recently witnessed across the church.  The church’s health depends on the people of God being comfortable with and knowledgeable about Scripture.  I encourage the use of EFM as one of the best ways to accomplish that goal.”

Bishop Sauls will preside at the 2004 EFM graduation, which will be held at St. Peter’s, 311 High Street, Paris, on Thursday, May 27, at 7 p.m.