Lay Ecclesial Ministry
In 2005 the Bishops of the United States wrote a pastoral letter about lay ecclesial ministry entitled "Co-workers in the Vineyard".
Lay ecclesial ministry is about service/work done in the Church by lay persons. The sacramental basis of their ministry are the sacraments of initiation, not the sacrament of ordination. Since this ministry, which is varied, takes place within the community of the Church, the ministers are under the discernment, authorization, and supervision of the hierarchy. These ministers, like all Christians, participate in the threefold ministry of Christ, who is priest, prophet, and king and continue Christ's mission and ministry in the world.
The U.S. Bishops speak of lay ecclesial ministers as women and men whose ecclesial service (lay ecclesial ministry) is characterized by: the authorization of the hierarchy to serve publicly in the local church; their leadership in a particular area of ministry; close mutual collaboration with the pastoral ministry of bishops, priests, and deacons; and their preparation and formation appropriate to the level of responsibilities that are assigned to them.
Examples of a lay ecclesial minister in a parish setting might be: the pastoral associate; the parish's catechetical leader; the youth ministry leader; the school principal; or the pastoral music. Lay ecclesial ministers may also serve as a hospital chaplain or in health care settings, as well as on college and university campuses. While the use of the title "lay ecclesial minister" may vary from diocese to diocese, the jobs and responsibilities are critical to the life of the Church.
