Education for Ministry Canada
Find Your Place in God’s Story
Through conversation, study, and prayer in small community, Education for Ministry (EfM) helps you reflect on life, deepen your faith, and discern how God is calling you to serve.
What is EfM?
Education for Ministry (EfM) is a distance learning program of theological education for lay people. Participants commit to one year of study at a time in a course which extends over a total of four years. Individuals meet in small groups for study and practice, which can aid participants in discovering and nurturing a personal call to Christian service.
EfM helps encounter the breadth and depth of the Christian tradition and bring it into conversation with experiences of the world as you study, worship, and engage in theological reflection together.
A Journey of Discovery
In a small-group setting, you’ll discover new ways to see your life through the lens of faith — not by being told what to think, but by learning how to listen, reflect, and discern.
Community
Growth happens together by listening, sharing, and supporting one another on the journey.
Prayer and Worship
Worship, conversations and discernment are grounded in shared spiritual practices.
Study
Scripture, tradition, and theological insight are explored to deepen sacred understandings.
Theological Reflection
Life is explored through the lenses of thoughts, feelings, and the exploration of faith.
Discernment
Discover how God may be calling you to serve in the context of your daily living.
Together..
These 5 elements are the core practices of EfM.
A Journey of Growth
Transformation begins when we slow down enough to listen; to God, to one another, and to our own unfolding story. EfM invites you into conversations where questions are welcomed, insights are shared, and faith is nurtured through attentive presence. Week by week, you’ll discover how reflection, prayer, and community open space for deeper understanding and steady growth.
A Journey of Purpose
EfM helps you name and nurture your gifts, recognize moments of invitation from God, and discern how your unique story fits into God’s mission in the world. Through study, reflection, and shared wisdom, you’ll be empowered to live your faith with intention and courage. Let’s explore together where faith will lead you.
EfM is for You
How does a life of faith make sense in today’s world? EfM offers a space to explore how Scripture, tradition, and your own life experience come together in God’s unfolding story.
Find a Group Format that Fits Your Life
EfM communities meet in different ways, but each one creates the same space for reflection, connection, and growth. Each person brings questions, stories, and hopes that enrich the community, and each stage of the journey matters. Wherever you are along the way, there is a way to participate fully.
In-Person Groups
Meet locally in parish settings or homes. This format invites shared presence around the table, helping to foster close relationships, communal worship practices, and rootedness in a specific church context.
Online Groups
Meet from the comfort of your home through video conference. Ideal for those with travel limitations, distance barriers, or schedules that require flexibility, while still offering deep conversation, prayer, and connection.
Hybrid Groups
Gather both online and in person, depending on the rhythm of your group. This format balances accessibility and embodied community, perfect for groups spread across regions or parishes, or for those who value meeting face-to-face when possible.
No matter the format…
The heart of EfM remains the same: thoughtful reflection, shared learning, prayerful community, and the joy of discovering where God is at work in your life.
How to Get Started
No matter where you are on the journey, stepping in for the first time or continuing your formation, EfM offers space for reflection, learning, and transformation. EfM invites you to grow deeper in faith, discover new insight, and walk alongside others who are seeking, listening, and discerning God’s call – together.
New Participants
Step Into the Conversation
If you’ve been longing for a place to ask deeper questions (a place where faith isn’t about having all the answers but learning to live the questions faithfully) EfM invites you there.
In a small, supportive group, you’ll explore Scripture, tradition, and experience — and discover how they meet in the call to serve God in everyday life.
All you need is an open heart and a willingness to listen, learn, and share.
Ongoing Participants
Stay Rooted and Growing
Your EfM journey is already unfolding — and every reading, reflection, and shared story adds another thread to the tapestry of your faith.
Keep showing up, keep reflecting, and keep sharing. Your voice helps others see God in new ways — and their insights help you do the same.
EfM is more than a program; it’s a community of transformation where faith deepens through conversation and connection.
Begin Your Journey with EfM Today
Wherever you are on your faith journey, EfM offers a place to begin or to continue the conversation. Step into a community of listening, learning, and discernment, and discover how God is inviting you to grow, serve, and live with purpose. Get started today and take the next step in your journey of faith.