What is CERTIFICATION?

Certification, not to be confused with certificate programs, is a way for a professional to demonstrate their practice and competence in a particular field. The LEM National Certification Process is a portfolio based process that allows the candidate to share their knowledge, demonstrate their skill and express their spiritual and theological reflections. Certification is the next step after degrees, certificates and formation programs and serves as tool for an individual to synthesize their experience and learning. Certification can also assist Bishops in their work of authorizing Lay Ecclesial Ministers and Pastors and others in hiring.

“Lay persons who devote themselves permanently or temporarily to some special service of the Church are obliged to acquire appropriate formation which is required to fulfill their function properly and to carry it out conscientiously, zealously, and diligently” (Code of Canon Law, c. 231, §1; Co-Workers, 33).

“Most importantly, the authorization process can provide occasions for the bishop to demonstrate his support for the lay ecclesial ministers of his diocese and to model collaboration with them as his lay co-workers.” (Co-Workers, 60)

WHAT are standards?

Certification standards are statements that describe a profession’s focus and activities and the values to which it is committed; designate the knowledge, skills, and attitudes it deems desirable or necessary for effective functioning as a practitioner of the profession; and may be used as educational criteria in a process of formation and assessment criteria in a process of certification.

THE ALLIANCE

The Alliance, five national Catholic ministry organizations, work collaboratively to produce common standards for lay ecclesial ministry, implementing and promoting certification of lay ecclesial ministers. The Alliance partners and the specialties they certify:

Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions (FDLC)

· Diocesan Directorof Worship

· Parish Director of Liturgy

National Association for Lay Ministry (NALM)

· Pastoral Associate

· Parish LifeCoordinator

· Parish Business Manager

National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM)

· Directorof MusicMinistries

National Conference for Catechetical Leadership (NCCL)

· Parish CatecheticalLeader

· Parish Director of Evangelization