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Question: What is the ministry of the laity?
Answer: The ministry of lay persons is to represent Christ and his Church; to bear witness to him wherever they may be; and, according to the gifts given them, to carry on Christ's work of reconciliation in the world; and to take their place in the life, worship and governance of the Church.
-"An Outline of the Faith," Book of Common Prayer
Informational Meeting
Wednesday, October 7th at 7pm
in the Library at Christ Church Cranbrook
Every baptized person is called to ministry. Education for Ministry (EfM) program, offered as an education- at-a-distance course by the School of Theology of the University of the South at Sewanee, provides Episcopalians and others with the education to carry out that ministry. Lay persons face the difficult and often subtle task of interpreting the richness of the church's faith in a complex and confusing world. As the Church continues to emphasize the importance of lay ministry, many laypersons have come to feel that they need a theological education that supports their faith and also teaches them to express that faith in day-to-day events. EfM is one way for them to gain that knowledge.
EfM covers the basic subjects of a theological education: Old Testament, New Testament, Church History, and Theological Choices (a study of theological trends and movements in the Church). Participants register for one year at a time. Students meet locally in seminar groups of six to twelve participants and a trained mentor, who meet weekly for two to three hours during an academic plan year.
Participants are given weekly assignments to study with the help of resource guides. In the seminars members have an opportunity to share their insights and discoveries as well as to discuss questions which the study materials raise for them through discussion and guided reflection.
By examining their own beliefs and their relationship to our culture and the tradition of our Christian faith, participants can learn what it means to be effective ministers in the world.
If you have questions, please call Edie Gardner 248-608-4675
All are Welcome! | 
