Grace Thompson
Lay ecclesial ministry is a term used by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to describe pastoral ministers in the Catholic Church who serve the Church but are not ordained. Lay ministers are appointed by local clergy and are coworkers with the bishop, alongside priests and deacons. Lay ministry can be practiced in the “gathered” church during worship services or in the “scattered” church, such as in the community or workplace. There are various paths to becoming a lay minister, including the Lay Ministry Training Program, which provides basic training in spiritual development and a stronger understanding of biblical knowledge, theology, and worship.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Lay ecclesial ministry is a term adopted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to identify pastoral ministers who serve the Church but are not ordained. |
| Who can become a lay minister? | Catholic church members, both men and women, can become lay ministers. |
| Authorization | Requires authorization or approval by church leadership to serve the parish through a specific area of ministry. |
| Working style | Working closely with ordained members of the church hierarchy. |
| Preparation | Requires appropriate preparation and formation according to the level of determined responsibilities. This can include pedagogical instruction, liturgical study, the study of music used in worship, catechesis, lay ministry certification programs, and theological studies courses. |
| Training | The Lay Ministry Training Program was created to provide basic training for people interested in serving their church more fully, either as a lay minister or as a lay leader. |
| Examples | Pastoral associates, directors of religious education, youth ministry, liturgy and music, school principals, and numerous other roles. |
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What You'll Learn
Understanding the role of a lay minister
Lay ecclesial ministry is a term used by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to describe a relatively new category of pastoral ministers in the Catholic Church. These ministers serve the Church but are not ordained. Lay ministers work closely with the bishop, as well as priests and deacons, to carry out the Church's mission under the supervision of the hierarchy.
The term "lay minister" does not refer to a specific position or title, but rather encompasses a wide range of duties and possibilities. Lay ministers can serve in various roles, including pastoral associates, directors of religious education, youth ministry, liturgy and music, school principals, and many others. They may also serve in hospitals, healthcare settings, colleges, prisons, seaports, and airports.
To become a lay minister, individuals must receive authorisation or approval from church leadership to serve the parish in a specific area of ministry. This typically involves working closely with ordained members of the church hierarchy and receiving appropriate preparation and formation according to their assigned responsibilities. Preparation can include pedagogical instruction, liturgical study, the study of music used in worship, catechesis, lay ministry certification programs, and theological studies courses.
The Lay Ministry Training Program is one example of a program that provides basic training for individuals interested in becoming lay ministers. This program assists in spiritual development and enhances understanding in areas such as biblical knowledge, theology, worship, congregational history, pastoral care, and Christian education. It is designed for individuals who want to serve their church more fully while remaining in secular employment.
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Training and certification
Lay ecclesial ministry is a relatively new category of pastoral ministers in the Catholic Church who serve the Church but are not ordained. Lay ecclesial ministers are co-workers with the bishop and work alongside priests and deacons.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has outlined the following characteristics of Catholic lay ministry:
- Authorization or approval by church leadership to serve the parish through a specific area of ministry
- Working closely with ordained members of the church hierarchy
- Preparation and formation in the relevant responsibilities
Preparation and formation can include pedagogical instruction, liturgical study, the study of music used in worship, catechesis, lay ministry certification programs, and theological studies courses. The USCCB emphasizes the necessity of human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation, as well as ongoing formation.
The Lay Ministry Training Program is another option for those interested in lay ministry. This program is not intended to be an alternate path to ordination but focuses on providing training for both local churches and individuals interested in lay ministry. The program is broken into three levels, each lasting one year and composed of ten learning sessions. The content of the program includes spiritual development and building a stronger understanding of biblical knowledge, theology, worship, congregational history and polity, mission, pastoral care, and Christian education.
Certification is a process that documents the attainment of specific standards and competencies required for the fulfillment of a specialized ecclesial ministry. The Subcommittee on Certification for Ecclesial Ministry and Service assists the bishops in reviewing and approving certification standards and procedures for specialized ecclesial ministers.
It is important to note that the specific requirements for lay ministry may vary depending on the diocese and the definition employed by pastors and dioceses. Some roles may require more formal preparation, such as studying the Bible, theology, ministerial arts, and pedagogy, as well as gaining practical experience through shadowing or apprenticeships.
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The difference between lay ministers and ordained ministers
Lay ministry is a term used for ministers of faith in Christian denominations who are not ordained in their religion. Lay ministers are people who are elected by the church, either full-time or part-time. They may have theological degrees and training, which may be required in certain instances, but not all lay ministries require this qualification. Lay ministers are generally chosen in small communities where it is difficult to find professional clergy to serve roles, and in which lay ministers are appropriate to fulfill the pastoral duties.
Lay ecclesial ministry is the term adopted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to identify the relatively new category of pastoral ministers in the Catholic Church who serve the Church but are not ordained. Lay ecclesial ministers are coworkers with the bishop alongside priests and deacons. They are women and men whose ecclesial service is characterised by:
- Authorization of the hierarchy to serve publicly in the local church
- Leadership in a particular area of ministry
- Close mutual collaboration with the pastoral ministry of bishops, priests, and deacons
- Preparation and formation appropriate to the level of responsibilities that are assigned to them
Ordained ministers, on the other hand, are individuals who have received the Sacrament of Holy Orders and are thus set apart by God for their ministry. They undergo a formation process that includes human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral development, which prepares them for their specific roles within the Church. Ordained ministers include deacons, priests, and bishops, who have received the Sacrament of Holy Orders and are authorised to perform certain sacraments and liturgical rites.
The main difference between lay ministers and ordained ministers lies in their ordination status and the authority they hold within the Church. Lay ministers are not ordained and are appointed by local clergy or church leadership to serve in specific areas of ministry. They work closely with ordained ministers and may require preparation and formation, including theological studies, to carry out their duties effectively. Ordained ministers, on the other hand, have received the Sacrament of Holy Orders and possess the authority to perform sacraments and provide spiritual leadership to the faithful.
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Examples of lay ministries
Lay ministry (or lay ecclesial ministry, LEM) is a type of service performed within a church or religious group by people who have not been ordained. Since the Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican (Vatican II) in the 1960s, more lay people have taken on ministerial roles within or beyond their parish community.
Lay ecclesial ministers are women and men who are authorised by the hierarchy to serve publicly in the local church, and who work closely with ordained members of the church hierarchy, including bishops, priests, and deacons.
- Pastoral associates: Lay ministers can serve as pastoral associates, providing support and assistance to pastors and other church leaders in pastoral care and ministry.
- Directors of religious education: Lay ministers can take on leadership roles in religious education, overseeing and coordinating educational programs and resources within the church.
- Youth ministry: Lay ministers can work with young people, organising activities, providing guidance, and teaching religious principles and values.
- Liturgy and music: Lay ministers can be involved in the liturgical aspects of church services, including the preparation and delivery of liturgy, as well as the selection and performance of music.
- School principals: Lay ministers can serve as leaders and administrators in Catholic schools, ensuring that the educational and spiritual needs of students are met.
- Catechist: Lay ministers can teach and instruct others in the principles of the Catholic faith, often in a classroom or small group setting.
- Hospital and prison chaplains: Lay ministers can provide spiritual support and guidance to those in hospitals and prisons, offering comfort and helping them connect with their faith.
- Campus ministers: Lay ministers can serve on college and university campuses, providing spiritual guidance and support to students and organising religious activities and events.
- Parish pastoral staff: Lay ministers can assist in the day-to-day operations of a parish, including administrative tasks, community outreach, and supporting pastoral care initiatives.
- Diocesan leadership roles: In some cases, lay ministers can take on leadership roles within a diocese, providing support and resources to multiple parishes or churches within a specific geographic area.
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The history of lay ministry
Lay ministry, or lay ecclesial ministry (LEM), is a type of official service within the Catholic Church that is performed by people who have not been ordained. The term "lay ministry" once referred to "minor orders", which were roles entrusted to men on their way to priesthood. However, since the Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican (Vatican II) in the 1960s, the role of laypeople in the Catholic Church has expanded significantly. Pope Paul VI revised the "orders", renaming them "ministries" and opening them up to laypeople.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) defines lay ecclesial ministry as service done by laypersons who have taken the Sacraments of Initiation but not Ordination. It is performed within the community of the Church to serve its mission under the supervision of the hierarchy. It is part of the work that all Christians are compelled to do in service of Christ's ministry.
The USCCB has been working on developing lay ecclesial ministry since at least 1980. In 1995, a subcommittee of the Committee on the Laity began focusing on the theology of lay ecclesial ministry, as well as the preparation and formation of lay ecclesial ministers, and their identity and relationship within the Church.
By 2002, there were 34,000 lay ministers who had graduated from United States Lay Ecclesial Ministry Programs. As of 2008, there were more than ten times as many students preparing in university and diocesan divinity programs for a vocation as a Lay Ecclesial Minister compared to seminarians preparing for the presbyterate. In 2007, the number of Lay Ecclesial Ministers employed in full- or part-time parish ministry (29,000) exceeded the number of presbyters (27,000). As of 2009, there were 37,929 Lay Ecclesial Ministers in parishes, with many more serving in other Catholic institutions, schools, hospitals, and dioceses.
Lay ecclesial ministers serve in a variety of roles, including pastoral associates, directors of religious education, youth ministry, liturgy and music, school principals, and numerous other roles.
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Frequently asked questions
Lay ecclesial ministry is a term used by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to describe pastoral ministers who serve the Church but are not ordained.
Lay ecclesial ministers are required to have taken the Sacraments of Initiation (but not Ordination) and are appointed by local clergy. They must also have authorisation or approval from church leadership to serve the parish and work closely with ordained members of the church hierarchy.
Lay ecclesial ministers can serve in various roles, including pastoral associates, directors of religious education, youth ministry, liturgy and music, school principals, and more. They can also perform ministry on a voluntary or temporary basis, or hold more established and paid positions.
There is no standardised certification process for lay ecclesial ministers. However, they typically undergo preparation and formation according to their level of responsibilities. This can include pedagogical instruction, liturgical study, the study of music used in worship, catechesis, lay ministry certification programs, theological studies courses, and more.
The Lay Ministry Training Program is a popular option for those interested in becoming lay ecclesial ministers. It provides basic training in spiritual development and a stronger understanding of biblical knowledge, theology, worship, Congregational history, pastoral care, and more.
