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Pastoral Ministry Procedure for Certification
The candidate requests an application for the Office for Pastoral Ministries and begins to gather materials that establish competence described in the National Association of Lay Ministry standards. A portfolio is assembled: letters of reference, supervisory reports, official transcripts, observation forms, materials from programs that the candidate designed and led, and anything else that helps the candidate to prove competence.
Application:
The candidate submits the complete application form, application fee and portfolio to the Office for Pastoral Ministries by February 15 or October 15.
Certification Review Board:
When the materials are in order, the chair of the Certification Review Board convenes a three-person interview team. The interview team reviews application materials and conducts an interview with the candidate, with the purpose of establishing the individual's competence.
Recommendation, Decision and Notification:
The Certification Review Board makes a recommendation to the Office for Pastoral Ministries based on the results of the interview team. The final decision lies with the Office for Pastoral Ministries.
Competency-Based Certification Levels
Level 1 - Provisional
- Granted to a person serving full or part time in an Archdiocese of Detroit parish or institution as a pastoral minister.
Level 2 - Basic Certification
Granted to a person who has attained a certain level of study and experience in the area of pastoral ministry. Level 2 identifies the person who is:
- Able to understand, synthesize and articulate the Catholic tradition.
- Able to demonstrate leadership qualities in ministerial functions.
- Well prepared to meet the challenges of Christian ministry in collaboration with others.
Level 3 - Intermediate Certification:
Granted to a person who has attained a bachelor's degree, further education in theology and/or pastoral ministry, and experience in administering a pastoral ministry program. This level is responsible for supervision and/or coordination of others, but is not responsible for overall coordination. Level 3 identifies the person who is:
- Able to understand, synthesize and articulate the Catholic tradition in general pastoral ministry and an area of concentration.
- Able to demonstrate leadership qualities in one or more areas of concentration.
- Well prepared to meet the challenges of Christian ministry in collaboration with others in their area of concentration.
Level 4 - Full Certification:
Granted to a person who has attained a Master's degree or above in theology, pastoral ministry or related fields; who has background in pastoral ministry. This person is responsible for overall direction and coordination, which involves decision-making responsibilities. Level 4 identifies the person who is:
- Able to understand, synthesize and articulate the Catholic tradition.
- Proficient in articulating the religious questions of our time and discerning the meaning that the Christian tradition brings to these issues.
- Competent to evaluate and apply the contributions of the appropriate social sciences to the tasks of ministry.
- Competent in ministerial skills, especially as these are related to a chosen area of concentration.
- Prepared to minister in a multicultural environment.
- Able to collaborate with members of a pastoral team and parish leadership within a faith community.
- Able to understand one's ministerial identity.
- Committed to lifelong theological and pastoral education.
- Able to recognize the need of ongoing intellectual, spiritual, and psychological integration.
The National Association of Lay Ministry (NALM) provides competency-based national standards for the assessment of persons seeking certification. The certification process of the Archdiocese of Detroit for pastoral ministry complies with the NALM standards. In order to receive certification as a pastoral minister in the Archdiocese of Detroit, candidates must present convincing evidence that they have achieved that same competence as described in the NALM standards.
Areas of Certification:
Advantages of Certification
- Receive recognition as a professional pastoral minister in the Church.
- Build a professional support system and network.
- Qualify a pastoral minister locally and nationally for certain positions within a parish or other settings.
- Receive archdiocesan up to date information personally and quickly by way of e-mail.
- Receive discounts at pastoral ministry workshops.
Goals of Certification
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Provide local and national recognition for the standards of the Archdiocese of Detroit for certifying persons for pastoral ministry.
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Ensure appropriate formation for those engaged in pastoral ministry.
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Ensure appropriate formation for those engaged in pastoral ministry.
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Guide pastoral ministers to commit themselves to ongoing formation in the knowledge and skills of pastoral ministry.
National Approval
 The United States Catholic Conference Commission on Certification and Accreditation has given approval to the certification procedures of the Archdiocese of Detroit for the certification of pastoral ministers. This approval assures recognition of pastoral ministry certification throughout the United States.
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