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The Parish Adult Faith Formation Leader
~Some Ideas for a Job Description~

When a parish seeks to hire or call forth a leader for the ministry of adult faith formation, what key elements should be included in the job description?

Since the vision, goals and needs vary from parish to parish, each job description will be as unique as the parish.

Members of individual parishes (parish staffs, search committees, Education Commissions, Adult Faith Formation Committees, Parish Councils, etc.) will want to reflect on those qualities and skills most important for the adult faith formation leader in their setting as well as the responsibilities of the role needed in their parish at the given time.

Before looking at the qualifications, skills, and responsibilities, it might be advantageous to explore two preliminary questions:

Who is responsible for adult faith formation in the parish?
Why does a parish need an adult faith formation leader?

Who is responsible for adult faith formation in the parish?Adult faith formation is the responsibility of the entire parish. This is the reality because all adults are called, by their baptism, to a life of mature discipleship. As mature disciples, we are called to a relationship with Jesus Christ and, therefore, to enthusiastic , committed and faithful participation in his mission to the world.

While adult faith formation is the responsibility of the entire parish, it is nonetheless the specific responsibility of one staff member and some parishioners to lead in this ministry. As with other areas of parish life, the pastor has the primary responsibility to lead in this ministry. He is the chief adult faith formation leader. Along with the entire parish staff, the pastor demonstrates this leadership by directing the environment and culture of the parish toward a focus on mature discipleship. His commitment to adult faith formation is evidenced by his personal interest in and responsibility for lifelong learning.

Why does a parish need a person specifically designated as an adult faith formation leader? If the pastor is the chief adult faith formation leader in the parish, why do we need a specific person to function as the parish adult faith formation leader? Because the pastor has the responsibility to lead the whole parish and serve in so many areas, the parish needs someone who can devote his/her full attention and energy exclusively to the ministry of adult faith formation.

This individual will advocate on behalf of this ministry, viewing all dimensions of parish life through the lens of adult faith formation and ensuring that adult faith formation is central to all the formation activities of the parish.

The Qualifications of the Parish Adult Faith Formation Leader

As already indicated, each parish needs to decide on the specific qualifications they will seek in a candidate because of their parish needs. Following are some qualifications that are desirous in a parish adult faith formation leader:

has had a personal "conversion" to the vision of adult faith formation
- "understand(s) the proper role of catechesis within the Church's mission of evangelization" (National Directory for Catechesis, Chapter 2)
- understands the unique characteristics of the process of faith formation in contrast to education and training
- appreciates, understands, and has the ability to respond to the implications of the reality that the "parish is the curriculum"
- is committed to the reality that adult faith formation happens in individuals and within a community in various ways, both formally and informally

has knowledge and understanding of adult learning principles
- why adults learn
- how adults learn (learning styles, Multiple Intelligence Theory, etc.)
- how adults grow, develop and mature in faith (human and faith development theories, e.g. Erikson, Fowler, Kohlberg, Gilligan, etc.)
- what motivates adults to enter into/continue in learning opportunities

understands the General Directory of Catechesis' principle that the catechumenate is the model for all catechesis
understands the Catholic approach to Scripture
has a sound grasp of Catholic theology, the Church's teachings and traditions
has familiarity and facility with key Church documents, especially the General Directory of Catechesis, the National Directory for Catechesis and Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us
has familiarity and facility with the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
is cognizant of the cultural and social realities among the Catholics within the parish as well as the neighborhood surrounding the parish
exhibits awareness of and involvement in ecumenical and interfaith endeavors

The Skills of the Parish Adult Faith Formation Leader

has experience and expertise in parish program planning
- needs assessment
- steps to be taken in selecting, preparing, and planning programs
- hospitality, setting an environment
- marketing skills
- evaluation of programs and processes
possesses organizational skills
has well-developed listening skills (able to hear the questions and needs of adults no matter how they articulate them)
possesses communication, facilitation and group process skills
has the ability to collaborate
- realizing that all in parish ministry are engaged in adult formation, work side by side complementing, supporting and challenging all efforts from an adult formation perspective
- because adult formation is a community effort, provides direction, vision, motivation, and energy to designated team/committee
is a team builder
has developing technology and media skills
possesses awareness and skills in working in multi-cultural settings
possesses awareness and ability to integrate into programming the reality that Catholic Social Teaching is integral to adult faith formation

The Responsibilities of the Parish Adult Faith Formation Leader

(Rather than giving one (or a few) sample job descriptions, this compilation attempts to give a listing of many possible tasks which might be part of the ministry of the parish adult faith formation leader. Hopefully, it will be of help to parishes in creating their own job description that is unique to their needs.)

Each parish, because of its own vision, goals, and its explicit needs determines the specific responsibilities of the adult faith formation leader.

Each parish leadership team is also structured according to its own needs and the unique gifts of its members; hence, within each parish, different people will assume the role of leadership for adult faith formation: adult faith formation coordinator, director of religious education, pastoral minister, etc. It may be a full-time position or a part-time role.

Listed here are some of the many responsibilities that might be included in the job description of a parish adult faith formation leader. This list can be used as a guide to help a parish "pick and choose" and then design a job description that is personal, unique and practical and meets the vision, goals, and needs at this time in their parish's history.

On-Going Adult Formation

advocate for the perspective and place of adult faith formation, challenging the parish to give adult faith formation a priority in the allocation of financial resources, in providing learning space and in parish scheduling
lead responsibility in establishing the overall adult faith formation environment of the parish according to the vision of the General Directory of Catechesis, the National Directory for Catechesis and Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us
responsible for directing, organizing and coordinating the total parish approach to adult faith formation through a process of strategic planning (with the Adult Faith Formation Team/Committee) that moves the parish into deliberate efforts to advance the vision and reality of adult faith formation
- evaluating the existing parish efforts in all areas to determine their impact on the faith formation of adults
- assessing the current faith formation needs of the adult members of the parish
  - identifiy the contexts in the parish which have potential for adult faith formation
- planning a comprehensive program for adult faith formation (setting goals and priorities)
  - which includes components from all six dimensions of Catholic life (Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us #88-96)
  - which uses a variety of approaches (Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us #97-112)
- assisting parish staff, groups and organizations to identify opportunities, acquire resources and plan formats and programs for adult formation within their established settings and ministries (infusion)
- paying special attention to the needs of the young adult population (ages 18 – 35)
- working with appropriate committees to infuse peace and justice education/Catholic Social Teaching consistently and continually throughout parish life
- overseeing the creative marketing, promotion and advertising of all adult faith formation events
- evaluating continually and consistently all adult formation efforts
continually be the reminding vision for staff, council and commissions, and all parish leadership, that "the parish is the curriculum"
- what are we teaching – by this decision, this event, this action, etc.?
have direct responsibility for and coordinate the ministry of other parish staff and RCIA team for the parish's RCIA process, including the RCIA adapted for children (or assist the staff person designated with the responsibility for RCIA)
Promote Small Christian Communities, providing formation, regular planning for team leaders, and resources
- staff liaison to the RENEW or other home-study/renewal groups within the parish
oversee the parish library and learning center and provide formation and communication with the library aides
use the parish bulletin and parish newsletter to provide on-going catechesis for adults and families
create a practical, interactive adult formation section of the parish website as well as insuring that the entire website is adult formation-friendly
create a greater awareness of parish resource materials, as well as learning opportunities beyond the parish: vicariate, neighborhood, community, archdiocesan, and ecumenical offerings
work with parish staff and parish commissions and committees to develop guidelines for adult formation presentors/speakers
collaborate with other parishes within the vicariate/region to plan, promote, and implement programs that support adult faith formation

Leadership Development

provide for the recruitment, development, preparation and formation of the adult faith formation team (Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us #142 – 148)
attend and participate as an active member of the parish Education Commission
- act as a resource person on catechetical matters in development of policies
- seek consultation and input at regular meetings of Education Commission (and Parish Pastoral Council)
- make regular reports to the Commission throughout the year regarding the process of the adult faith formation program
- present to the Commission in the spring an evaluation of the year's program and a projected budget and plan for the coming year
in accord with archdiocesan guidelines, provide for the recruitment, development, formation and preparation of the adult faith formation committee of the Education Commission (see Parish Pastoral Council Guidelines, Archdiocese of Detroit)
recruit, train, support and evaluate catechists for adults in order to provide organized and systematic adult catechetical programs, encouraging certification in adult catechesis (Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us #149-153)
provide facilitator training for adult Scripture study group leaders
in accord with the archdiocesan Vision Statement for Catholic Education, One in Faith and Knowledge, advocate for and serve as resource to ensure that "all parish gatherings of adults include prayer and reflection, study, business, and evaluation."
serve as a resource person in the area of adult learning, current trends, new resources, etc. for parish staff, chairpersons, commissions, facilitators, presenters, etc.
coordinate the formation of ministers, particularly catechetical/faith formation ministers. Serve as a resource person for those on staff and in parish leadership who coordinate and/or facilitate formation for lay ministers
work especially with the parish liturgical minister in providing formation for those involved in liturgical ministries, recognizing that "the liturgy is the privileged place of catechesis." (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1074)

Evangelization Formation

advocate for the implementation of the goals of Go and Make Disciples: A National Plan and Strategy for Catholic Evangelization in the United States in the parish, recognizing the primacy of adult faith formation in reaching these goals
facilitate, with the Evangelization Committee, the evangelization efforts and goals of the parish

Sacramental Preparation Formation

develop a formation process, in collaboration with other pastoral staff members, for Baptismal catechesis and post-Baptismal catechesis
service as resource to and assist the director of religious education with preparation programs for parents for the sacraments of Eucharist, Confirmation, and Reconciliation
facilitate the Marriage Preparation Formation in collaboration with marriage preparation committee
- parish contact for marriage couples
- initial catechesis, which includes administering marriage preparation instrument, communicating parish policies and guidelines
arrange for ongoing marriage enrichment opportunities for couples of all ages and stages of married life

Administration

supervise a catechetical staff and support staff; oversee clerical and maintenance personnel working with adult formation programming
prepare, submit and be responsible for the annual adult faith formation budget
maintain the necessary records pertaining to the various adult faith formation programs and personnel
arrange for ordering and use of equipment, resources and supplies
schedule use of parish facilities according to the parish scheduling process

General

attend parish catechetical staff and/or pastoral staff meetings to coordinate with total parish vision and directions
maintain good communications with staff, ministers, and parish-at-large
maintain a relationship with the archdiocesan Office for Faith Formation/Catechetics (and associate director for faith formation) for consultation, support and resourcing
participate in vicariate and archdiocesan activities
be committed to one's own personal on-going formation through participation in meetings, conferences and workshops concerning adult faith formation/theology; professional reading and study