Education for Ministry invites participants into small, mentored groups that provide the framework for understanding life and shaping actions as Christian faith is deepened. EfM provides a four-year curriculum that develops a theologically informed, reflective, and articulate laity. It is associated with the University of the South, an Episcopal university and seminary in Sewanee, Tennessee.

Our group, which is affiliated with Christ Church in Hackensack, meets on Zoom Wednesdays during the “school year”. Registration for the following program year begins in June. To foster the mutual trust and group cohesiveness, these are “closed sessions” for registered students, but we hold two reading events and an open house each year which are open to all who would like to get a taste of the program. You can also email the mentors at any time with questions.

EfM News

EfM Spring Reading Event – The Church Cracked Open

Our spring reading event on April 27th discussed 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘃. 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀’ book 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙝 𝘾𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙊𝙥𝙚𝙣. Current, former, and prospective EfM participants are invited to join us and discuss this important book. The event is free; all you need to do is obtain a copy and read it in advance of the session, then join us to discuss what amazed, bothered, or challenged you.

Sometimes it takes disruption and loss to break us open and call us home to God. It’s not surprising that a global pandemic and once-in-a-generation reckoning with white supremacy―on top of decades of systemic decline―have spurred Christians everywhere to ask who we are, why God placed us here and what difference that makes to the world.In this critical yet loving book, the author explores the American story and the Episcopal story in order to find out how communities steeped in racism, establishment, and privilege can at last fall in love with Jesus, walk humbly with the most vulnerable and embody beloved community in our own broken but beautiful way.𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙝 𝘾𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙊𝙥𝙚𝙣 invites us to surrender privilege and redefine church, not just for the sake of others, but for our own salvation and liberation.

“This book will make a profound difference for the church in this moment in history.” ― The Most Reverend 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗕. 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝘆, Presiding Bishop "The Church Cracked Open" book cover