1. Part Two: NALM Formation Director’s
Institute
Charlotte McCorquodale, PhD
Ministry Training Source
Certification:
A Process of Demonstrating
Competence

2. Worthy Goal
“A Culture of Competence”
(Not Certification)
Certification is not an
“end” unto itself, but a
means directed at the
“end” of ensuring
faithful, effective and
fruitful ministry with
God’s people.
2

3. Evolution of National
Standards &
Certification
3
3rd Decade:
Movement into
Certification
2010 Consultation
2011 Approval by
Alliance members &
USCCB/CCA
2012 Begin implementing
certification
2nd Decade:
Interorganizational
Collaboration
•1999 Common
Competency Project
•2003 National
Certification Standards
•2005 Co-Workers in
the Vineyard of the
Lord
•Alliance becomes
official entity
1st Decade:
Establishing
Standards
From 1990
on, national
ministry
organizations begin
developing
certification
standards

4. What is the relationship between
formation and certification?

5. Goal of Co-Workers
“…[Co-Workers] invites local
adaptation, application, and
implementation to achieve
consistency where possible and to
encourage diversity where
appropriate.
It calls Church leaders, ordained
and lay, to become more intentional
and effective in ordering and
integrating lay ecclesial ministers
within the ministerial life and
structures of our dioceses.”
(Co-Workers, pg. 6).

6. A Movement Towards
Excellence, Exploring The National
Certification Standards and Process for
Lay Ecclesial Ministry
6

7. Bishop Cupich
Excellence
in
Lay Ecclesial Ministry
7

8. “Lay ecclesial ministers, just
like the ordained, need and
deserve formation of high
standards, effective
methods, and comprehensive
goals.”
(Co-Workers, p. 33)

9. NATIONAL CERTIFICATION PROCESS
Application for admission to the process
and decision regarding acceptance as
candidate
Preparation of materials by candidate
Submission of documentation for review
and decision regarding certification

10. 10
Are your
LEMs
certifiable?

11. What does it mean to be certified?
(and, what it doesn’t mean!)

12. 12
Certification:
The process
whereby a person
demonstrates
compliance with
standards for
professional
competence.
Accreditation
The process
whereby a duly
constituted
accrediting body
gives recognition to
education and /or
service
center/programs
which meet
established
standards.
Certificate:
A statement that a
program or course
of studies has been
completed through
attendance,
participation or
fulfillment of
requirements.

13. 13
Why should
I get
certified?

14. 14
Alliance
Certification
Video

15. Benefits of National Certification
Individual Diocesan National
National credential &
acknowledgement of
competence
Potential salary &
hiring impact
Enhance confidence
and credibility
Portable national
credential endorsed
by USCCB
Easier, less costly
option for offering
certification
Portable national
credential can aid
local hiring processes
Tool for advocating
for lay ecclesial
ministers
Together is better
Establish national
standards of
excellence
Build credibility and
trust for LEM
Contribute to the
development of LEM
within the Church
15

17. Core Standards
(& Vision Statement)
Core Competencies
Specialized
Competencies
Indicators

18. Testimony
(Assessment by Self
& Others)
Completion of
Academic Study
(Formation)
Demonstration of
Pastoral Work
Integration Paper
(Theological/Pastoral
Reflection)
18
Types of
Evidence
within
Certification
Portfolio

19. Overview of the Portfolio

20. Demonstration of Competence:
National Certification Standards
A portfolio provides evidence of competence
for ministry based on the National Certification
Standards
Human
Spiritual
Intellectual
Pastoral
Specialized

21. Are you kidding me?

22. Certification Portfolio:
Documentation of Competence
1. Evidence of formal
education and formation for
ministry
• Theological education
• Specialized education
and formation
2. Evidence of demonstrated
competency in ministry in
all four standards
• Compile documentation
• Create 1-3 page
summary for each
standard
3. Testimony /
observational evidence
• Pastor (or supervisor)
• Peer or colleague
• Subordinate
(volunteer or staff)
• For YML
candidates, Diocesan
Director
4. Self-assessment (form
provided) including
Ministerial Development
Planning (form provided)
5. Integration Paper

23. The million dollar question…
“Does this count?”

24. What types of documentation are included in
the portfolio?
See Process and Procedures document, pp. 18-19
 Part One: Title Sheet, Checklist, Cover
Letter, and Initial Application Materials
 Part Two: Documentation of Competence
Relative to the National Certification Standards
 Self-assessment
 Evidence of demonstrated competence in ministry
 Evidence of formal education and formation for
ministry
 Testimony / observational evidence
 Part Three: Integration Paper

25. Candidate: Evidence of Formal Education and
Education for Ministry
See Process and Procedures
document, pp. 10 - 13
 Theological Education:
requirements, evidence
 Specialized Education and
Formation: requirements, evidence
 Documentation
 Equivalency

26. Self-Assessment Form
• People don’t know what they don’t
know.
• What is the purpose of the self-
assessment form in certification?
• How can it be used in a ministry
formation program?
• How do you evaluate a self-

27. Candidate: Self-Assessment
 All National Certification Standards and
Competencies Included
 Structure: Evidence, rating, comment
 Summary reflections and conclusions for
each standard
 Follow-up: Ministerial Development
Planning Worksheet

28. Candidate: Testimony,
Observational Evidence
See Process and Procedures document, p. 22.
See template in Master Document, Section 3.8
 Pastor (or equivalent) or other supervisor
approved by PCRC
 Peer or colleague in ministry
 Subordinate (volunteer or staff
 For each standard: affirm, affirm with
reservations, cannot affirm
 Summary assessment and overall
recommendations

29. Integration Paper 11-15 pages that includes:
• Description of a concrete problem or issue in
ministry (1-2 pages)
• Exposition of material from Scripture, Church
teaching, theology, or other pertinent areas of
study that address this problem/issue (5-6 pages)
• Application of theological/intellectual insights and
a resolution of the issue that reflects sound
practice
(3-4 pages)
• Reflection on how one’s formation helped deal
with the issue and challenge one to further growth
(2-3 pages)

30. Let’s look at an example of
how to integrate portfolio
items into ministry formation
assessments.

31. Preparation of Materials
Candidates may be assigned an advisor who will assist with
the development of the portfolio

32. Some A’s to Consider
Regarding
Certification Portfolios
Application information
Assembling a portfolio
Assessing portfolios by
PCRC
Asking the right questions

33. Joe Perdreauville, NFCYM PCRC
Chair
Sr. Carol Walter, NALM PCRC
Chair
Frontline of National Certification:
Perspectives from the the PCRC
Chair

34. Small Group Work
After all of what you have heard how
can you better integrate and support
national certification of LEMs in your
ministry formation efforts?

35. Thank you for attention and
participation!
charlotte@ministrytrainingsource.org
www.ministrytrainingsource.org
417-693-1882