Diocese of Washington

Mentor Training

Home
Course Content
Seminar Groups
Mentor Training
History of EFM

 

EFM Mentors

EFM Mentors guide and facilitate the seminar group in all aspects of the program and administer the group for the School of Theology Programs Center at Sewanee. Persons seeking to become mentors should have:

  • a desire to be a companion/guide to people as they engage in an intensive theological education program
  • an ability to articulate thoughts and feelings, show understanding of thoughts and feelings of others, respond effectively to conflict and group dynamics, and be a facilitator rather than a teacher
  • maturity in a life of faith, comfort with the diversity of our rich Christian Tradition, and familiarity with the study of biblical criticism
  • willingness and ability to manage administrative responsibilities in a timely fashion

Mentor Training:

Training for mentors is on-site, intensive, and requires 18 contact hours. Full participation is mandatory. The purpose of mentor training is for participants to discern whether they have the desire and skills to be a mentor for the EFM program, and to provide ongoing training and support for experienced mentors who have an active group. The event provides an opportunity for an EfM trainer to evaluate the skills of trainees and to accredit those who qualify. Accreditation is not automatic.

There are two levels of training: Mentor training (basic and in-service) and formation training.

Basic/in-service training covers the nature and purpose of EFM, the four-source model of theological reflection, the place and purpose of spiritual autobiographies, group skills and resources to resolve problems, worship as an integral part of a group, administrative procedures, recruiting and starting a group, and conducting an EfM seminar.

Persons who may attend include anyone interested in becoming a mentor; a mentor who has attended mentor training only once and needs to update accreditation; an EfM mentor whose accreditation is out of date; a person who wishes to replace a mentor who is leaving a group and needs accreditation; someone who wants more information but may not be ready or willing to mentor yet ("for information only").

Formation training is designed for the experienced, active EFM mentor who would like to work more intensively on one particular aspect of his or her formation as a mentor. It is open only to active EfM mentors who have trained no fewer than two times previously and have been recommended by a trainer to attend formation for their next cycle of accreditation. Some topics include Advanced Theological Reflection; Spirituality; Living With Conflict; Myers-Briggs; Experiential Learning; Equipping for Ministry; Power and Authority; Worship; and Transition in the Midst of a Changing World.

2008 Formation Training -- "Vocation" When God calls a congregation, we speak of mission. When God calls an individual, we speak of vocation. Vocation is not chiefly an external duty or onerous obligation, but the key to a life of purpose and fulfillment. Vocation arises from our God-given gifts and the things we care most about. As Frederick Buechner puts it, "The place God calls you is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet."
This formation event offers mentors an opportunity to reflect on their own sense of vocation and then consider how they can strengthen the sense of vocation ot the participants in their EfM groups.

Mentor Training Events

Training events are held on a regular basis. We customarily offer sections of Basic Mentor Training and Formation Training. The training event in 2008 will be on May 29 through May 31, 2008.

Registration information will be sent out and posted at this site prior to each event. To register for a Mentor Training Event, contact the EfM Coordinator at barbaramiles07@comcast.net

Training events are also held at Sewanee every month. You may also attend training events in another diocese.

Training for 2008 has been completed: The following information is to let you know the general guidelines that we use for Mentor Training.

  • When: Thursday, May 29 to Saturday, May 31, 2008
  • Check-in at 1 pm on Thursday. Training will begin no later than 2 pm.
    We are usually complete early afternoon Saturday
  • Where: The Cathedral College (formerly, the College of Preachers), on the Cathedral close in Washington DC
    Please note: The College is a beautiful old gothic building and is not handicapped accessible.
  • What: We will have both a basic mentor training and formation training. The formation topic will be on "vocation.". (See description above.)There are limits on the size of both classes. All mentors signing up for formation training must have completed two basic training classes, must not have had more than three consecutive formation or alternative trainings, must be certified by their previous trainer, and must have an active group.
  • Cost: $350. This includes double-occupancy room, all supplies, dinner Thursday and Friday, continental breakfast and lunch Friday and Saturday (Saturday may be a bag lunch). There may be some single rooms available, but we cannot guarantee them.
  • Trainers will be: For vocation, it's Ms. Mary Tom Watts For basic, it's Mrs. Christina Lee.
Registration: Please advise us by email (to hold a spot) and then print, fill out, and mail the registration form regular mail with a non-refundable registration fee of $150 as soon as possible, but no later than April 23, 2008. We do not accept credit cards. Registration will begin December 1, 2007.

Participants are expected to be present for the entire session in order to meet the training requirement of 18 contact hours. More details and directions will be sent to all registered participants approximately two weeks before the event. Questions can be addressed to the diocesan coordinator at barbaramiles07@comcast.net or by calling her at 301-963-0515 (home).