May, 2006


Certification and Commissioning - What’s the difference? How are they related?
 
Ministry Certification establishes that the individual is “competent” in a specified area of ministry, based on three criteria:
        (1) spiritual and academic formation appropriate for a specific pastoral ministry;
(2) demonstrated effectiveness, or integrated pastoral skills operating in a ministry setting; and
        (3) pastoral endorsements from ministerial supervisors and peers.

Ministry Certification based on National Standards approved by the USCCB provides ministers a credential that is recognized in other diocese of the United States. The Combined Ministries Certification Process for the Diocese of Lansing was approved in November 2004.


Commissioning (of Lay Ecclesial Ministers) is a liturgical celebration through which we recognize that :
(1) God has called and gifted individuals to share in the pastoral ministry of our diocesan or Local Church; and
(2) specific (featured) individuals have responded faithfully to the call by obtaining ministry formation and sharing their pastoral leadership gifts in a specific ministry context, usually a parish.

Commissioning is for the Diocese of Lansing, and is not transferable to other diocese. In the past 14 years we have commissioned 106 lay ecclesial ministers. These women and men, recognized for their fidelity, obtaining ministry formation and committing to various ministries,  met the criteria for Commissioning - before we implemented the Combined Ministries Certification Process. Today these men and women would be Certified AND Commissioned.


Next week we will look at:

What good (Gospel Value) is being promoted when the Church certifies and commissions its lay ecclesial ministers?