The term, ‘lay ecclesial minister’ covers several possible roles: music minister, pastoral associate, director of catechetical ministry, youth ministry leader, school principal, lector, extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, etc. The bishops of individual dioceses identify the specific roles to be included in this list. The term does not refer to a single title or position, nor is it a new rank among the laity. Instead, it is a generic term that is meant to “identify a developing and growing reality, to describe it more fully, and to seek a deeper understanding of it under the guidance of the Holy Spirit” (Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord, p. 11).

All members of the lay faithful are called by virtue of their baptism to actively participate in the missionary work of the church; to work in the secular world to bring that world in line with God’s grace, under the direction and guidance of and in cooperation with the church hierarchy. While most people choose to do this evangelistic work in the secular arena, some of the lay faithful hear an additional call to serve within the church for the purpose of building the ecclesial community. This smaller group is comprised of people who are trained and given authority by the bishop or his delegate to undertake their chosen ministries. They are the lay ecclesial ministers.

Definition

While the term itself describes a general group of people within the larger group of the laity, let us take a specific look at the individual lay ecclesial minister. By definition, the lay ecclesial minister is a member of the lay faithful who works in collaboration with ordained ministers and consecrated religious in the service of the church; he or she is a lay person who has been authorized by the church hierarchy to publicly serve the local church community.

Authorization

Usually, one feels a calling to lay ecclesial ministry. However, this is not enough. The personal calling must also be discerned within the church by the bishop or his delegate. Once that calling has been authenticated, the lay ecclesial minister must receive authorization to begin his/her service in ministry. This authorization may take different forms, usually involving an in-depth formation process which includes the conferring of authority upon the minister by the bishop or his delegate. In some parishes or dioceses, there is a formal ceremony. In others, the pastor simply gives the lay ecclesial minister permission to serve in that capacity; whatever the form, this authorization must take place.

Requirements

The lay ecclesial minister works in partnership with the ordained ministers of the local community: bishops, priests, deacons, and becomes a public figure to whom fellow parishioners look for example and support in daily Christian living. One must therefore show evidence of a life lived in accord with the Gospel and in obedience to the church. Because of the nature of this service and the authority conferred upon the lay ecclesial minister, certain requirements must characterize the person who feels called to fulfill one of these ministerial roles: professional competence, presence to the community, genuine love of the whole Catholic Church, living in full communion with the Pope and the Magisterium, and professional/academic preparation and formation. In order to best fulfill the ministerial duties, a person is usually required to attend classes related to a particular ministry with the goal of certification or credentialing, and is expected to continue formation, both spiritually and professionally. Many lay ecclesial ministers work full-time or part-time for the church, and often coordinate or direct others.

So, who is the lay ecclesial minister? A lay person who has heard and answered the call to further service in the church community, who is obedient to the hierarchy of the church, submitting to the guidance and direction of ordained ministers while working with them in the mission of salvation. Whether one is a volunteer or part of the paid staff, one has been given authority by the bishop or his delegate to serve the community and continue professional, spiritual, and academic formation in the field of ministry.