You are here: Home > News > The Harvest May/June 2005 > Education for Minisstry

EFM sees high number of Kansas grads

By Melodie Woerman

Editor, The Harvest

Education for Ministry is very popular in the Diocese of Kansas, according to recently
released statistics. They show that the program for adult education and formation has resulted in a higher number of graduates here than in some dioceses twice the size.

The diocese has had 399 people graduate from EFM since the program began, according to the Rev. C.P. “Sam” Criss, diocesan coordinator. In comparison, the combined dioceses of Dallas and Fort Worth have 142 graduates, from more than 55,000 members. The Diocese of Arizona, with more than 26,000 members, has 364 graduates. The Diocese of Kansas has about 12,000 baptized members.

Kansas outshines neighboring dioceses of similar size in the number of people in the program, with 121 current students.West Missouri, with 12,500 members, has 96 graduates and 51 current students. Arkansas, with 14,300 members, has 300 graduates and 103 current students.

But beside sheer numbers of participants, Criss said EFM has had a special impact on diocesan life. Graduates of the program, he noted, make up more than half the lay leaders in the diocese. “And when those who are currently enrolled finish the program, that number will be closer to two-thirds,” he said.

Four years of study

Education for Ministry is a program of theological education-at-a-distance of the School of Theology of the University of the South. Participants 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, liturgy and theology.  Students meet regularly, usually once a week, in seminars under the guidance of trained mentors. The program grants a certificate at the completion of the four years.

Criss said Bishop Dean Wolfe has set a goal of adding six new study groups throughout the diocese each year for the next three years, to bring the number of groups from the current 15 to at least 33. To accomplish that requires new mentors to lead the groups, and Criss said a training session in June would add 10 new leaders. They then will be responsible for contacting potential students in their area and signing them up for classes to begin in the fall.

EFM groups have between six and 12 students each. Students sign up for one year  at a time, and the annual tuition runs about $370 per person. Because Kansas is an EFM sponsoring diocese, students pay $75 less than the standard enrollment fee. The course also requires a substantial commitment of time, with a weekly meeting of the study group, plus outside time for reading and homework assignments.

Criss said the program asks students not only to learn but to think. He noted the course is “divided equally between content questions and reflecting theologically on important incidents shared from the lives of group members.”

Good time for expansion

Criss said the bishop’s enthusiastic support of EFM will help the goal of adding new students. “It’s a new time in the life of the diocese,” he said, “so it’s a good time to focus on expansion.” He called the goal of doubling the number of participants within the next three years a “very reasonable” one.

When asked why people should consider this program, Criss said it gives people basic knowledge of their Christian faith. “It provides a really good, intellectual background for understanding the Bible in a non-fundamentalist way,” he said. “It helps you focus on learning to apply your Christian faith to your everyday life.”

Anyone wanting more information on EFM may contact Criss at 316-682-3748 or CPCR@aol.com. The web site for EFM is www.sewanee.edu/EFM.