Certification is a process whereby Lay Ecclesial Ministers are able to demonstrate their competency in ministry and be recognized by the local church as being competent, qualified ministers.
Certification is currently for Parish Catechetical Leaders (CRE's, DRE's, Directors of Faith Formation, etc.) and Youth Ministry Leaders.
Certification will provide distinct benefits for lay ministers and the communities they serve. Common certification will benefit the Church at large by utilizing nationally approved certification standards for lay ecclesial ministers in a process that provides both diocesan and statewide certification. It will provide clear and uniform standards for ministry formation and allow dioceses to respond to the continuing educational needs of critical parish ministers. Certification will ensure a high quality of ministry in parishes across the state and demonstrate that ministers are trained and professionally recognized as competent.
The MCEA certification process uses the five national standards and their competencies compiled in the book, "National Certification Standards for Lay Ecclesial Ministers serving as Parish Catechetical Leaders, Youth Ministry Leaders, Pastoral Associates, and Parish Life Coordinators" by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM), the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership (NCCL) and the National Association of Lay Ministers (NALM).
The five standards are: Personal and Spiritual Maturity; Lay Ecclesial Ministry Identity; Roman Catholic Theology; Pastoral Praxis; and Professional Praxis. Here's an example of the standards in the context of Ministry.
People engaging in the certification process will receive a copy of the National Standards book upon entering the process. The book is also available for purchase through the three organizations that put it together: NFCYM, NCCL, and NALM.
Acknowledging that Lay Ecclesial Ministers (LEMs) have completed various types of ministry education and formation, three categories related to the type of education received in preparing for ministry have been created. Each category of certification represents compliance with the five national standards and their competencies. However, the category denotes the type and level of education received by the LEM. The three categories of certification and their explanations follow.
Category I: Practitioner Certification: The lay ecclesial minister has demonstrated competence in all of the five core standards and common competencies and in the corresponding specialized competencies for the specialization for either youth ministry leader or catechetical leader through participation in a ministry formation program sponsored by a diocese, independent organization, or institution of higher education.
Category II: Professional Certification: The lay ecclesial minister has demonstrated competence in all of the five core standards and common competencies and in the corresponding specialized competencies for the specialization for youth ministry leader or catechetical leader, through the attainment of a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree from an accredited college or university in a related field or the equivalency.
Category III: Master Certification: The lay ecclesial minister has demonstrated competence in all of the five core standards and common competencies for and in the corresponding specialized competencies for the specialization for youth ministry leader or catechetical leader, through the attainment of an advanced degree (Masters level or higher), from an accredited college or university in a related field or the equivalency.
For the most part, you'll know which category of certification to apply for based on your educational experience. For instance, someone that has participated in the Ministry Formation Program of the Diocese but does not have other training in ministry would probably fit in Category I. Someone with a BA would fit in Category II, and someone with a MA would fit in Category III.
The situation may arise though, where someone has educational experience more equivalent to a category he or she does not have a degree for. For instance, some people that have been involved in ministry for a number of years taking advantage of many educational opportunities may better fit in Category II than Category I. In these cases, the applicant may well choose to pursue certification in Category II.
Applicants will not be alone in determining where they fit. The MCEA Certification Committee built mentoring into its process of certification so that no applicant is ever alone in figure out something like which category he or she fits best.
Is there a cost for Certification?
Yes. Applicants will pay a nominal fee at the beginning of their process, and will pay a fee at the time of their Certification renewal. Fees cover material costs (i.e. the book of National Standards, a participant handbook, etc.) as well as some administration of the program. Grants are being sought to cover some costs associated with administrating Certification so that the process can be started at minimal cost to applicants and to dioceses themselves.
What are the deadlines for submission of applications and portfolios?
The deadlines for submission of applications and portfolios are October 15th and March 15th of each year.
How do I become certified?
Here is an outline of the steps a person would take to become certified:
People wishing to be certified will be lead through these steps by a mentor.
I'm from another diocese, how can I become certified?
Contact your diocesan education office. The certification process in the St. Cloud Diocese was designed by the MCEA Forum whose members include all dioceses in the state of Minnesota.
What if I don't know if I'm ready?
Contact your diocesan certification representative. To help you determine if now is the time for you to pursue Certification.
How many people are currently certified?
There are 48 people currently certified in the state of Minnesota and 15 certified in the Diocese of Saint Cloud.
What does Bishop Kinney say about certification? Is certification going to be required in the future?
Bishop Kinney wants 40-50% of parishes to have at least one certified staff member by 2006, and 90-95% of parishes to have at least one certified minister by 2008-10.
Other Questions?
Contact Brenda Kresky
Certification Representative for the St. Cloud Diocese
320.251.0111
©2004 Diocese of Saint Cloud. All rights reserved.
Last modified
October 31, 2005
.
Use of this Web site must be within compliance of the terms and conditions.