Why did you enroll in EFM?

Every year, we begin the Education for Ministry year with our mentor asking us why we enrolled in EfM, and there are many different answers.  Some people have said they want to be part of EfM because they’ve always intended to read the Bible but have never stuck with it; they would appreciate fellow students in a non-competitive, non-graded setting.  This class is adult education at its best, with reading, studying, and discussing without the pressure of a grade point average.  Anything we learn is something we don’t know already, and the process of learning is fun and worthwhile.

Some people report they want to deepen their understanding of their own faith.  Like me, they explored and shared their beliefs with classmates and bounced sometimes wacky ideas off others, and by doing that,  focused their beliefs.  I must say, the members of the EfM group are a great audience to try out new material!

Other people have said they are looking for a faith community where they can discuss theological thoughts and questions.  It’s fairly easy to find people to discuss politics or movies or ball games, but it’s harder to find people to discuss questions of ultimate significance.

I’ve heard some people say they want to come to terms with Paul or with John. Or they find many passages in the Old Testament pretty challenging because of the attitudes towards women or slaves or Samaritans.  Haven’t we all heard Bible verses that make us squirm or gulp because of what they say about women or slaves or Samaritans? Even if we don’t agree with the writer, we can put their comments into context in a way that helps our understanding.

Some people said they are looking for their own ministry, what they believe they are called to do and be in the world.  It is true that the voice of Ms. Holy Spirit is often soft and subtle, so it’s helpful to share our search with other seekers.

One person just said she knew that many serious Episcopalians took the class, and she considers herself a serious Episcopalian, so she signed up.

As a four-year participant in the class, I’ve identified with all these motivations.  I had the enormous privilege of reading and discussing the Bible with other students.  I confess I didn’t read it word for word, and I’m surely not a Bible scholar at this point.  I don’t even get all the Bible questions right on Jeopardy!  But this is adult education without quizzes or prizes, so it’s okay.

I’ve examined and articulated my own faith, and I’ve come to peace with my own personal theology.  I’ve wrestled with Paul and John, and I’ve balked at some Old Testament passages.  Over time, I’ve come to accept the fact that I will probably never agree with their points of view, but I’m glad to know what they wrote.

I’ve learned some of the good, the bad, and the ugly about the history of Christianity, and some of it is truly appalling and embarrassing.  I’ve pondered if God is real and what we mean when we use the word “salvation.”

As some of you know about me, my own beliefs are not always in close correlation with the standard beliefs we express in our Sunday services, like in the Creed or parts of the Book of Common Prayer, or even in some of the words to familiar hymns.  I was frankly worried that either I’d be shunned is this “nice church group” or I’d be encouraged to stop being such a free thinker and get back in line with standard Episcopal theology.  Much to my relief and joy, I found my classmates were curious about my rather unorthodox beliefs and utterly accepting of me, regardless of whether they agreed or not. The emphasis is on the journey together and what we see and taste and feel along the way, not the destination.

For all these reasons and many more, I encourage anyone who loves learning and craves deep conversation about theological concepts, and finds comfort in community to look seriously at enrolling in EfM.  As you know, it’s a big commitment.  It’s a four-year course of study, but as Mark Patzman (EDSD EfM Coordinator, efm.edsd@outlook.com) says, “It’s a one-year commitment we can make four times.”

I have been both uprooted and re-rooted as a Christian, thanks to these four years. The class has been an anchor during storms and a lovely sail during breezy times.  Thank you my mentors and my loving companions and classmates for including and embracing me in this amazing experience.