Education for Ministry

Education for Ministry, affectionately known as EFM, is a program of theological education at a distance, offered by The School of Theology at The University of the South. The Diocese of RI is a sponsoring Diocese.

Every baptized person is called to ministry. The EFM Program is preparation for this ministry to which we all are called. It is that vocation for which we pray at the end of the Eucharist: And now, Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord.

Students of EFM sign up one year at a time for this four year program. It covers the basics of a theological education in the Old and New Testaments, Church History, and Theology. Students meet regularly, usually once a week, in seminars under the guidance of trained mentors. The program grants a certificate of completion of the four years and 18 Continuing Education Units for each year’s work.

EFM course work provides continuing education credits only, and at this time does not provide college credits. The fee for materials and each year of study for diocesan sponsored participants is $340.00 pp and is payable to EFM, The School of Theology, University of the South, Sewanee Tennessee. Limited Scholarships are available.

Find a local EFM group

EFM groups meet in the parishes and places listed in our Christian Formation Catalog, which you can browse below, and are open to participants in and outside of the Diocese of RI. The dates and times of meetings vary according to schedules and are determined by the group.