Adult Training and Certification:
Certification of Diocesan Leadership
The Need
The church needs professional lay ecclesial ministers in youth ministry as well as other areas. The church mandates that lay ministers are to seek appropriate formation to effectively carry out their ministry (Canon #231). The Certification and Accreditation Commission (Commission) is developing a certification process for diocesan leaders of youth ministry. This certification will allow diocesan leaders to demonstrate competency in their field and will enable them to receive affirmation and recognition of their skills. Certification will encourage lifelong learning, stability in the field of youth ministry, and encourage the development of future leaders. National certification will give youth ministry leaders credentials that are transferable to other dioceses. Certification of diocesan leaders will model the need for ongoing formation to parish and school youth ministry leaders.
The Commission is currently developing a process that will include:
- An application
- An assessment of applicants’ current strengths and weaknesses in light of the standards
- Development of a learning plan
- Recognition of competency
- A process for ongoing development through re-certification
A Time Line
The Commission currently has several subcommittees writing and developing different parts of the process. The Commission has adopted the following timeline for certification of diocesan leadership:
- Fall 2004—development of a handbook for diocesan certification
- January 2005—presentation of handbook to membership and gather feedback
- Spring and Summer of 2005—final development of the process and the handbook for certification of diocesan leadership
- January 2006—presentation to membership for approval
- 2006/2007—accept applications and begin the certification process (including “grand parenting”) for interested diocesan leadership
- January 2008—recognize the first group of diocesan leaders to be certified.
Email Connections at connections@nfcymoffice.org