Lay ecclesial ministry - how is it different from lay ministry?

by Sr. Mary Danielle Johnson,RSM

Since before 1999, there have been a number of committees formed by national organizations such as NALM (National Association for Lay Ministry); NCCL (National Conference for Catechetical Leadership); and NFCYM (National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry) to discuss, define and give direction to the movement and energy coming from lay ministers attempting to define themselves and to hold themselves professionally accountable. In 2003 these three national organizations submitted a document to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Commission on Certification and Accreditation that represented three years of collaborative effort to develop core certification standards and related competencies for the following ministerial roles:

Youth Ministry Leader (Coordinator of Youth Ministry);

Parish Catechetical Leader (Director of Religious Education);

Pastoral Associate; and Parish Life Coordinator (Pastoral Administrator)

The generic term "lay ecclesial minister" began to be used to encompass and describe lay persons working within parishes and dioceses. The recently published United States Conference of Catholic Bishops document, Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord: A Resource for Guiding the Development of Lay Ecclesial Ministry offers the following definition: "Lay ecclesial minister" is not itself a specific position title. The ministry is lay because it is service done by lay persons. The sacramental basis is the Sacraments of Initiation, not the Sacrament of Ordination. The ministry is ecclesial because it shares in the three-fold munera (teaching, sanctifying and governing) which are given by the clergy by virtue of their ordination. The lay ecclesial minister, therefore, is subject to the discernment, authorization and supervision of the hierarchy. Finally, it is ministry because it is a participation in the threefold ministry of Christ, who is priest, prophet and king."

Within the large group of lay ministers is a smaller group of men and women whose ecclesial service is characterized 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; and preparation and formation appropriate to the level of responsibilities that are assigned to them.

These individuals have expressed their commitment and desire to serve the local Church in roles as youth ministry leaders, parish catechetical leaders, parish life coordinators, and in other leadership roles. Willingly they make considerable sacrifices in terms of salary, job security, and availability of time. One characteristic reported by those individuals who have completed the certification process in Minnesota sponsored by the Minnesota Catholic Education Association and St. John’s University, is an expressed sense of being "called" by God to this ministry.

Throughout its history, the Church has had a diversity of ministers. St. Paul liked to call them his co-workers. He saw the ability to perform a ministry as the gift of the Spirit. Continuing the mission of Christ, the Church calls many people to share in the ministries Jesus began. Lay ecclesial ministers are co-workers with the bishops, priests, deacons, and vowed religious following in the tradition of the Church.

Sr. Mary Danielle Johnson, RSM is director of Ministry Formation for the Diocese of New Ulm.