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Stepping Stones Guide

Supplemental Reading List

We are now able to provide you with on-line copies of the Group Status Reports and other Forms necessary to the administration of an EfM group. We would appreciate Mentors using this method of obtaining the forms, as it will save EFM-Canada many dollars in postage costs. For printable copies of any of the Forms, click on the EfM Forms link above.

The Education For Ministry programme holds seminar sessions every week, for the purpose: of allowing the students a forum to discuss the lesson content. of providing time for the students to reflect theologically on their personal experiences of providing time for the students to worship together

The seminars must be led by a trained mentor. EFM deals in the skills of ministry, so it is often assumed that Mentors must be ordained clergy persons. Remember "Ministry" is not the property of ordained people. It cannot be stressed enough that ordination is not a prerequisite for becoming a Mentor. Although some background in theological or biblical studies is a useful asset for anyone thinking about becoming a Mentor, even this is not necessary.

What then, is required? A mentor wears three servant's hats in the EFM programme. They are: Guide Participant Administrator As a Guide, the mentor: leads theological reflection helps to foster a learning atmosphere guides the group through ambiguity, confusion, conviction and doubt allows disagreement and refrains from being an "expert."

	As a Participant, the mentor: shares in the learning of the group by completing the lessons along with the students shares in the worship component of the seminar, by leading worship and participating in it when others lead enters into the theological and lesson discussions

As an Administrator, the mentor:

• recruits and registers students
• collects fees and sends reports to the EFM office regularly
• receives a monthly honorarium for leading a group with six or more students

TIPS AND TOOLS

Since we distributed "Stepping Stones: A Short History of Christianity in Canada" in 2002, there have been two revisions of the Fourth Year texts. Therefore, most of the ancient historical material is now in the Year Three texts. Year Four now focuses on more contempory events and issues.

The author of Stepping Stones, Norman Knowles suggests the following method to integrate this material into Year Four:

• Year Four Chapter 1 - Stepping Stones Chapter 1 "Christian Encounters in a New World"
• Year Four Chapter 2 - Stepping Stones Chapter 2 "In His Name: The Church in British North America"
• Year Four Chapter 15 - Stepping Stones Chapter 3 "His Dominion: The Church From Confederation to the End of the Great War."
• Year Four Chapter 16- Stepping Stones Chapter 4 "The Best of Times, The Worst of Times: The Church in Modern Canada."

Reading of the corresponding chapters in the Year 4 Text is at the discretion of the group

We have provided some links for you that you may find helpful as a Mentor. Please note that all the links listed will open into a new browser page. You need only close the new page in order to return to the EFM - Canada website.

Anglicans on Line
This is a comprehensive site with essays about topics of interest, the basics of Anglican belief and a host of other useful information about the Anglican and Episcopal churches around the world.

Christian Literature on the Internet
An excellent resource for Christian literature, including a guide to the documents of the Early Church.

Critical Thinking
Here is a definition of Critical Thinking with links to other pages on the subject, for those Mentors who wish to delve further into this area.

Critical Thinking in Everyday Life: 9 Strategies
A practical discussion about critical thinking in our ordinary lives, where we are trying to carry on with our ministries.

Feminist Theology
A site that gives more on Feminist Theology - focusing on Elisabeth Schussler Fiorenza --- for those in your groups who think the Year 4 lesson is too thin. 

Hall of Church History
This excellent resource offers time lines of Christian and Church history as well as the writings of the early church theologians and the early church's documents.

History of the Reformation
This is the BBC history page about the Reformation. Browse this great site for other resources on Church and State.

Julian of Norwich
Very little is known about the personal life of this saint and mystic. This is a video biography regarding her life before she became an anchoress at Norwich.

Luther's 95 Theses
Here are the 95 Theses Martin Luther nailed on the church door at Wittenburg.

Mentor Training Events
Here is a list of all the Mentor Training Events scheduled by EfM-Canada for 2010

Personal Spiritual Resources
This page is a list of resources to engage and enhance one's personal spirituality compiled by EfM Mentors.

Tyndale House, Links for OnLine Resources
Tyndale House has gathered a number of excellent links for biblical studies on their site. Browse through links on internet sources for theological study, links to books on theology, and other useful resources.

GROUP DYNAMICS

Adult Learning
Mentors who want to understand how adults learn will find this a helpful site, as it contrasts the way adults learn with the way children learn.

Non Verbal Communication
An excellent resource for groups who want to improve the non-verbal communication in their seminar group.

Principles of Adult Learners
Another excellent site about how adults learn and the principles that govern their learning.

Students Page
Check out this link for some helpful tips on critical thinking and study habits

Last updated: July 30th, 2010