Competency-Based Standards for Lay Ecclesial Ministers

1. 1 Competency-Based Standards for Lay Ecclesial Ministers National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry

2. 2 What are Competency-Based Standards? They are a profile of the knowledge and skills needed by adults in the role of Youth Ministry Leader (parish, school, or other setting). They are written in competency-based language because there is a building of knowledge and skill based on an individual�s depth of experience and education. The intent of the competency-based standards is to identify the basic knowledge and skills that are foundational to effective ministry with adolescents. These standards are considered to be the basic foundation that is needed by adults working with youth. These adults must be grounded in such areas as adolescent development, Catholic theology and spirituality, and youth ministry principles. It is understood that the application of the knowledge and competencies pointed to in these standards could look very different in rural settings and urban settings, schools and retreat centers, scouting and athletics, and larger and smaller parishes. Likewise, the standards were designed to be broad enough to cross cultural settings. (taken from NFCYM Competency-Based Standards for the Coordinator of Youth Ministry, 1990)The intent of the competency-based standards is to identify the basic knowledge and skills that are foundational to effective ministry with adolescents. These standards are considered to be the basic foundation that is needed by adults working with youth. These adults must be grounded in such areas as adolescent development, Catholic theology and spirituality, and youth ministry principles. It is understood that the application of the knowledge and competencies pointed to in these standards could look very different in rural settings and urban settings, schools and retreat centers, scouting and athletics, and larger and smaller parishes. Likewise, the standards were designed to be broad enough to cross cultural settings. (taken from NFCYM Competency-Based Standards for the Coordinator of Youth Ministry, 1990)

3. 3 Lay Ecclesial Minister Lay Ecclesial Ministry: The State of the Questions: A Report of the Subcommittee on Lay Ministry (Washington, D.C.: United States Catholic Conference, Inc., 1999) established the following criteria for understanding the term �lay ecclesial minister:� A fully initiated lay member of the Christian faithful (including vowed religious) who is responding to the empowerment and gifts of the Holy Spirit received in baptism and confirmation, which enable one to share in some form of ministry One who has received the necessary formation, education, and training to function competently within the given area of ministry One who intentionally brings personal competencies and gifts to serve the Church's mission through a specific ministry of ecclesial leadership and who does so with community recognition and support One to whom a formal and public role in ministry has been entrusted or upon whom an office has been conferred by competent ecclesiastical authority.

4. 4 Lay Ecclesial Minister A lay ecclesial minister is typically a paid parish staff person (full- or part-time) or a volunteer who has responsibility and the necessary authority for institutional leadership in a particular area of ministry.

5. 5 A Brief History on Certification and Accreditation Standards and the NFCYM First CYM standards approved by USCC/CCA 1990 NFCYM was unique because we did not choose to do national certification with our standards. 1996 revised second set of standards approved NALM (1995) and NCCL (1996) have standards approved. Inter-organizational meetings began in 1997 Common Competency Project began in 1999 (NFCYM, NALM, NCCL writing joint core standards for lay ecclesial ministers Our standards were used as a template by the National Association for Lay Ministry (NALM) and the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership) NCCL. This lead naturally to the Common Competencies Goal Resource written by Joseph Merkt which was an outgrowth of the first two inter-organizational meetings. Make note of the difference between the work of Merkt and the current common competency project. All of this was followed by our current work on a joint set of core standards, since all three organizations were coming up for their 7 year review by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Commission on Certification and Accreditation (USCCB/CCA). Our standards were used as a template by the National Association for Lay Ministry (NALM) and the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership) NCCL. This lead naturally to the Common Competencies Goal Resource written by Joseph Merkt which was an outgrowth of the first two inter-organizational meetings. Make note of the difference between the work of Merkt and the current common competency project. All of this was followed by our current work on a joint set of core standards, since all three organizations were coming up for their 7 year review by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Commission on Certification and Accreditation (USCCB/CCA).

6. 6 A Brief History on Certification and Accreditation Standards and the NFCYM The Common Competency-Based Standards were approved by the NFCYM membership at the Membership meeting in January of 2003 The Common Compentency-Based Standards were approved by the USCCB/CCA in March of 2003. The standards will have to be submitted for review by the USCCB/CCA again in seven years. Work has begun to include even more organizations and to make the Common Competencies for lay ecclesial ministers more comprehensive.The standards will have to be submitted for review by the USCCB/CCA again in seven years. Work has begun to include even more organizations and to make the Common Competencies for lay ecclesial ministers more comprehensive.

7. 7 USCCB/CCA USCCB/CCA (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Commission on Certification and Accreditation): This incorporated agency of the USCCB is mandated to accredit programs of ministry formation and to approve certification standards and procedures. This is the joint agency responsible for approving standards by organizations. They also accredit ministry formation programs in dioceses and universities, but primarily Clinical Pastoral Experience (CPE) centers which prepare chaplains. The history of this organization is rooted in the Board of Examiners which was an organization developed by the hospital chaplains to accredit and certify it�s CPE centers and chaplains, respectively. The USCCB/CCA was created out of this group for a larger purpose. Currently, other organizations that have standards and do certification are the hospital chaplains, airport chaplains, seafarer chaplains, prison chaplains, veteran chaplains and the campus ministers. The NCCL, NALM and NFCYM all have standards but do not do certification at this time. A number of dioceses have had their ministry formation programs accredited like San Diego, but only two have had certification procedures approved - Cincinnati and Detroit - both of them in the office of youth ministry. We continue to lead the broader field in this area. This is the joint agency responsible for approving standards by organizations. They also accredit ministry formation programs in dioceses and universities, but primarily Clinical Pastoral Experience (CPE) centers which prepare chaplains. The history of this organization is rooted in the Board of Examiners which was an organization developed by the hospital chaplains to accredit and certify it�s CPE centers and chaplains, respectively. The USCCB/CCA was created out of this group for a larger purpose. Currently, other organizations that have standards and do certification are the hospital chaplains, airport chaplains, seafarer chaplains, prison chaplains, veteran chaplains and the campus ministers. The NCCL, NALM and NFCYM all have standards but do not do certification at this time. A number of dioceses have had their ministry formation programs accredited like San Diego, but only two have had certification procedures approved - Cincinnati and Detroit - both of them in the office of youth ministry. We continue to lead the broader field in this area.

8. 8 Certification The process whereby a person demonstrates compliance with standards for professional competence. The reason we want to take time to discuss language is because this has always been a key challenge for those involved in the process. The Church as an institution has not engaged in a lot of accreditation and certification activity. Thus, we are not used to the language and we often use it incorrectly. Additionally, for us to grow in this area we must learn how to communicate about it accurately and effectively. For example, lots of dioceses say they do certification of lay catechist or other ministers when in actuality they do not do certification. The reason we want to take time to discuss language is because this has always been a key challenge for those involved in the process. The Church as an institution has not engaged in a lot of accreditation and certification activity. Thus, we are not used to the language and we often use it incorrectly. Additionally, for us to grow in this area we must learn how to communicate about it accurately and effectively. For example, lots of dioceses say they do certification of lay catechist or other ministers when in actuality they do not do certification.

9. 9 A person who is certified has undergone some kind of formal assessment process and has been determined to be satisfactorily competent in those competencies described in an approved set of Standards. The key is assessment and to be honest that is the most challenging part of the process. How do you assess competence consistently, objectively, and realistically? This is the growing edge of this issue for all three organizations involved in the common competency project and more resources on assessment need to and will be developed in conjunction with the new set of standards. The key is assessment and to be honest that is the most challenging part of the process. How do you assess competence consistently, objectively, and realistically? This is the growing edge of this issue for all three organizations involved in the common competency project and more resources on assessment need to and will be developed in conjunction with the new set of standards.

10. 10 Certificate A statement that a program or course of studies has been completed through attendance, participation, or fulfillment of requirements.

11. 11 Competence Proven ability to meet specific standards established by a certifying body

12. 12 A Certificate, however, Does not establish that an individual is competent Does indicate that a person has completed a course of study

13. 13 Accreditation The process whereby a duly constituted accrediting body (USCCB/CCA) gives recognition to education and/or service center/programs which meet established standards. (ie. CPE centers, Diocesan or University Ministry Formation Programs)

14. 14 There is a difference ACCREDITATION is used regarding programs or schools CERTIFICATION refers to individual persons.

15. 15 Accreditation vs. Certification Accreditation standards guide the content and process by which an educational institution conducts educational programs. The USCCB/CCA accreditation standards address areas such as mission of program, faculty, students, program administration and curriculum. Certification standards state the areas of knowledge and skill in which a person must demonstrate competency. Certification procedures address issues related to an institution granting certification such as application process, assessment, grievance procedures, review process, etc.

16. 16 Basic Steps in a Certification Process Application procedures (include application, initial documentation such as transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.) Review of application material by certifying agent and initial assessment both by certifying agent and individual of competence level light of standards. If person is not in compliance then a learning plan is developed to move towards compliance.

17. 17 Basic Steps in a Certification Process Once standards have been met, documentation for certification assessment is assembled (for example, in a portfolio). Material are submitted to certifying agent which is reviewed by a peer review board and a decision regarding certification is made. If certification is granted and then a recertification process takes place after a designated time period, usually involving some type of CEU�s.

18. 18 National Certification Standards for Lay Ecclesial Ministers Current standards were written by NCCL, NFCYM, and NALM, approved by the Federation membership in January 2003 and approved by the USCCB/CCA in March 2003. Three levels within the standards Standards Competencies Core Specialized

19. 19 Standards for Lay Ecclesial Ministers Personal / Spiritual Maturity Lay Ecclesial Ministry Identity Roman Catholic Theology Pastoral Praxis Professional Practice

20. 20 The five standards apply to all lay Ecclesial ministers--catechetical leaders, pastoral ministers, and youth ministry leaders

21. 21 Core Competencies Under each of the five standards are core competencies that apply to all lay ecclesial ministers.

22. 22 Specialized Competencies Each of the organizations included specialized competencies for their particular field. NFCYM--Youth Ministry Leaders NALM--Pastoral Associates NCCL--Catechetical Leaders. The specialized competencies for Youth Ministry Leaders were taken from Renewing the Vision. Since Youth Ministry Leaders are catechetical leaders as well, attention should be paid to the NCCL specialized competencies. The specialized competencies for the youth ministry leader are all found under Core Standard Four, Pastoral Praxis. They are in large part taken from the document �Renewing the Vision� and they outline the knowledge and skills needed to effectively minister to adolescents. Emphasize that youth ministry leaders are indeed catechetical leaders and so special attention should be paid to NCCL�s specialized standards for the catechetical leader. These specialized standards are found under all of the core, common standards. The specialized competencies for the youth ministry leader are all found under Core Standard Four, Pastoral Praxis. They are in large part taken from the document �Renewing the Vision� and they outline the knowledge and skills needed to effectively minister to adolescents. Emphasize that youth ministry leaders are indeed catechetical leaders and so special attention should be paid to NCCL�s specialized standards for the catechetical leader. These specialized standards are found under all of the core, common standards.

23. 23 What are the benefits of Competency-Based Standards?

24. 24 Benefits: Response to Church mandate �Both temporary and permanent ministers are obligated to acquire appropriate formation which is required to fulfill their function properly and to carry it out conscientiously, zealously, and diligently.� (Canon #231)

25. 25 Benefits: Assurance of Competence When lay ecclesial ministers are certified by a certifying agent utilizing peer review and other assessment procedures (which are based upon national standards) then bishops, pastors and other church leaders may be assured that the minister is competent to serve in his ministry.

26. 26 Benefits: Enhanced Credibility As certification in accord with the Standards becomes the norm rather than the exception, the resulting increase in quality of ministry can only serve to enhance the credibility of youth ministry nationwide

27. 27 Summary of Benefits Increased professionalism of those in lay ecclesial ministry Succession planning for the field or a system for growing leadership for the field Increased stability of field and employment (ie. Benefits, Salaries, etc.) Recognized transferable credential Encourage lifelong learning and continued professional development

28. 28 Purpose of Certification Standards The certification standards serve three goals: (1) to give direction to the future of lay ministry, (2) to recognize and affirm those persons already in ministry, and (3) to promote faithful, competent, and accountable lay ecclesial ministry. Ultimately to ensure effective ministry to God�s People�