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Education for Ministry Reading and Reflection Guide 2017-2018 Volume A: living Faithfully in Your World
EFM Reading and Reflection Guides provide weekly assignments
for reading, reflection, and response that encourage groups to develop
a lifelong practice of engagement with the Christian tradition in study.
Participants in the first two years read the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament
along with commentary that helps them understand the texts in their
ancient and modern contexts. In the third year, they study the history of the
church. In their final year participants study Christian theology while examining
their own personal theologies, consider ethics through the lens of the
Anglican tradition, and read first-person stories of interreligious encounter.
In addition, the Reading and Reflection Guides offer contextual themes
that shape ministerial formation over four years, viewing the study of the
Christian tradition through lenses of personal and global contexts for our
ministry in daily life as we grow in spiritual maturity and live into the journey with God. The regular study of the Christian tradition in EfM forms
a foundation for theological reflection in the service of faithful living.
for reading, reflection, and response that encourage groups to develop
a lifelong practice of engagement with the Christian tradition in study.
Participants in the first two years read the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament
along with commentary that helps them understand the texts in their
ancient and modern contexts. In the third year, they study the history of the
church. In their final year participants study Christian theology while examining
their own personal theologies, consider ethics through the lens of the
Anglican tradition, and read first-person stories of interreligious encounter.
In addition, the Reading and Reflection Guides offer contextual themes
that shape ministerial formation over four years, viewing the study of the
Christian tradition through lenses of personal and global contexts for our
ministry in daily life as we grow in spiritual maturity and live into the journey with God. The regular study of the Christian tradition in EfM forms
a foundation for theological reflection in the service of faithful living.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 8, 2018
Each year of EfM has a companion reader guide. A mix of assignments, insights, and essays that always invite students and mentors to go deeper.
January 17, 2020
Education for Ministry Reading and Reflection Guide A 2017-2018 (aka the RRG) is not a book just to read. It is a workbook / course-guide for the Education for Ministry (EfM) class. (See the main description for more details on the class.) Any experience with the RRG therefore is generally within the context of an EfM class, and a review of the guide must take into account the experience of the class and how the class uses the guide. My rating is for the RRG as used within the class.
The class is a four year class on Christian ministry and theology, focusing on how students use their own personal theology in their ministry. That is, how do you come to understand God and what God wants of you, and what are you going to do about it. James says, "Faith without works is dead." (2:26b NET). EfM helps people figure out what they are going to do with their faith.
The class is excellent, but it is a commitment: there is a lot of reading, and there is the commitment one makes to the seminar group. The seminar group meets once a week for 36 weeks each year. In the group, each student reviews the their readings, reflects theologically, and shares their spiritual journey. Readings, expectations and exercises for each week are spelled out in the RRG.
How does this RRG compare to past year's RRGs? This one is better. Five years ago, the curriculum underwent a major revision. The main textbooks for all years were changed, and the RRG was completely re-written. RRG A 2017-2018 is a minor update of the RRG A for 2013-2014, and the course textbooks are pretty much unchanged.
The old curriculum was pretty outdated. Biblical studies has changed for the better, focusing more on the narrative and canon, and less on some of the more questionable aspects of source criticism. The new texts reflect that. I have been told the text on Christian history and the various texts on Christian theology are also better. And all of the RRGs since 2013 reflect new curriculum.
This year's RRG 2017-1018 is an incremental improvement, but a very nice update. The exercises are clearer. Most weeks now have suggestions for a theological reflection that might take place during class, or as part of homework. The entire teaching of theological reflection is more specific and helpful. The themes for groups of lessons (Part I, Part II, etc.) are now more integrated, and the lessons work better to guide students to personal growth in line with the targeted theme.
In conclusion, I am very pleased with the overall program, the new curriculum, and the lastest RRG. If you are interested in a more thorough understanding of the Christian faith, I highly recommend the course to anyone willing to make the commitment. EfM is an in-depth survey of the entire Christian Bible, Christian History, and Christian Theology over four years. EfM teaches one to practice one's faith in a more deliberate way.
The class is a four year class on Christian ministry and theology, focusing on how students use their own personal theology in their ministry. That is, how do you come to understand God and what God wants of you, and what are you going to do about it. James says, "Faith without works is dead." (2:26b NET). EfM helps people figure out what they are going to do with their faith.
The class is excellent, but it is a commitment: there is a lot of reading, and there is the commitment one makes to the seminar group. The seminar group meets once a week for 36 weeks each year. In the group, each student reviews the their readings, reflects theologically, and shares their spiritual journey. Readings, expectations and exercises for each week are spelled out in the RRG.
How does this RRG compare to past year's RRGs? This one is better. Five years ago, the curriculum underwent a major revision. The main textbooks for all years were changed, and the RRG was completely re-written. RRG A 2017-2018 is a minor update of the RRG A for 2013-2014, and the course textbooks are pretty much unchanged.
The old curriculum was pretty outdated. Biblical studies has changed for the better, focusing more on the narrative and canon, and less on some of the more questionable aspects of source criticism. The new texts reflect that. I have been told the text on Christian history and the various texts on Christian theology are also better. And all of the RRGs since 2013 reflect new curriculum.
This year's RRG 2017-1018 is an incremental improvement, but a very nice update. The exercises are clearer. Most weeks now have suggestions for a theological reflection that might take place during class, or as part of homework. The entire teaching of theological reflection is more specific and helpful. The themes for groups of lessons (Part I, Part II, etc.) are now more integrated, and the lessons work better to guide students to personal growth in line with the targeted theme.
In conclusion, I am very pleased with the overall program, the new curriculum, and the lastest RRG. If you are interested in a more thorough understanding of the Christian faith, I highly recommend the course to anyone willing to make the commitment. EfM is an in-depth survey of the entire Christian Bible, Christian History, and Christian Theology over four years. EfM teaches one to practice one's faith in a more deliberate way.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews