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Competency-Based Standards for Lay Ecclesial Ministers

National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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USCCB/CCAUSCCB/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.

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CertificationThe process

whereby a person demonstrates compliance with standards for professional competence.

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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.

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CertificateA statement that a

program or course of studies has been completed through attendance, participation, or fulfillment of requirements.

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Competence• Proven ability to

meet specific standards established by a certifying body

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A Certificate, however,

Does not establish that an individual is competent

Does indicate that a person has completed a course of study

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AccreditationThe 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)

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There is a difference

ACCREDITATION is used regarding programs or schools

CERTIFICATION refers to individual persons.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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Standards for Lay Ecclesial Ministers

•Personal / Spiritual Maturity•Lay Ecclesial Ministry Identity•Roman Catholic Theology•Pastoral Praxis•Professional Practice

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

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Core Competencies• Under each of the five standards

are core competencies that apply to all lay ecclesial ministers.

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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.

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What are the benefits of

Competency-Based Standards?

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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)

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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.

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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

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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

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Purpose of Certification StandardsThe 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…