Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn
Thinking about “Lay Ecclesial Ministry”
Thinking about “Lay Ecclesial Ministry”
I have had some great conversations lately about the need to support and build up the role of “lay ecclesial ministry” in the life of our Archdiocese. I have noted in these conversations that there is often some confusion about the unique nature of this role and its place in the Church. In many ways the concept of lay ecclesial ministry is still very much an emerging reality for the Church. To help with our thinking and planning I have provided here a brief reflection what “lay ecclesial ministry” is, how we should understand this role in the life of the Church today and some ideas on how we can better support it.
A first question to ask is what is at the foundation of ministry in the Church? The Second Vatican Council enhanced our understanding of the abundance and variety of gifts that exist within the Church; these include the priesthood, deaconate, religious life as well as lay ministries. These are all rooted in the call of baptism. Indeed, through the Council there was a restoration of the baptismal dignity of the laity, an emerging recognition of baptism as the basis and foundation of all ministry, and a fuller realisation that ministry is not exercised only by the ordained.
All the baptised are called to share in the Church’s mission through mutual service (diakonia), through a life of worship (leitourgia/koinonia), and through witness (marturia) to the Gospel by holiness of life. However, the manner and degree of engagement in this common call differs, depending on the gifts and ministries given by the Spirit: "And the gifts are given so that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers" (Ephesians 4: 11).
Today it is important to recognise that lay ministry that is rooted in the priesthood of the baptised is not a temporary solution to deal with the shortage of priests. If tomorrow we could flick a switch and have fifty young men from our Archdiocese join the seminary, there would still remain the need to foster the full flourishing of lay ecclesial ministry in our Archdiocese.
So it is in addition to the call to the office of bishop, presbyter, or deacon, and the vocation to the consecrated religious life, that some laypersons are called to “lay ecclesial ministry,” a vocation of full time Church service in response to the needs of each local community.
This is a different role to that which is common to all the baptised who through their commitments to marriage and family, workplace and social responsibility carry out the mission of the Church in the world. Within the context of the common call to service which is given to all the baptised, “lay ecclesial ministry” refers to professionally trained and prepared women and men, who take up positions of service and leadership in the Church.
This is a unique vocation in the Church, a call to service in the name of the Church. “Lay ecclesial ministry” is not one dimensional in its expression, but refers to the ministries of committed persons, women and men, married or single, which are exercised in a stable, public, recognised, and authorised way. This is Church ministry in the strict and formal sense.
What does lay ecclesial ministry look like in our own Archdiocese? A quick scan reveals that we have a diversity of lay ecclesial ministry roles operating. There are roles like the one that I currently work in, through to the roles of those who serve as Pastoral Associates, Parish Sacramental Coordinators, CCD Catechists, Coordinator for Youth and Young Adults, Campus Minister, Director of Catholic Education, etc… Importantly, lay ecclesial ministry emerges from a personal call, requires appropriate formation, and is undertaken with both the support and the authorisation of an appropriate Church authority.
It is my view that we as an Archdiocese would be greatly served by investing more energy towards, and support for, these roles in the life of our local Church. A simple step that could be considered is an annual “commissioning” of lay ecclesial ministers to provide public recognition and authorisation. This could assist with clarifying roles and responsibilities. Another step could be to establish a formal network of lay ecclesial ministers, which would provide a forum for communication and support.
Some key questions for consideration include:
· Should there be an integrated Archdiocesan formation program for lay ecclesial ministers? What form would this take?
· How can lay ecclesial ministers and the ordained ministry work more cooperatively and effectively together?
· What standards should we put in place as a minimum to provide ongoing support and pastoral supervision for lay ecclesial ministry?
· How can we promote lay ecclesial ministry as an attractive vocational pathway?
· How can employment contracts and remuneration be creatively structured so as to make the pathway into lay ecclesial ministry more viable for the Church and for individuals?
I would be interested in your thoughts and ideas on this topic.
Regards,
Shawn van der Linden
Director of Pastoral Support Services
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