A Joint Project of Six National Associations Funded by the Lilly Endowment, Inc. in their “Sustaining Pastoral Excellence Program”
Project Website  

Project Focus

To identify and promote emerging pastoral leadership models which nurture and sustain vibrant and empowered Catholic parish communities in the United States.

Project Goals

• To explore ways in which national associations can collaborate to serve the Church.
• To provide research on emerging models of pastoral leadership.
• To stimulate national conversation on pastoral imagination.

 Project Partners

• The National Association for Lay Ministry (NALM) Lead Agent with Marti Jewell, Project Director.
• The Conference for Pastoral Planning and Council Development (CPPCD).
• The National Association of Church Personnel Administrators (NACPA).
• The National Association of Diaconate Directors (NADD).
• The National Catholic Young Adult Ministry Association (NCYAMA).
• The National Federation of Priest Councils (NFPC).

To provide research on emerging models of pastoral leadership

• Co-funded the third study of parishes and lay ministry conducted by the National Parish Life Center.
• Seminal study of parish life coordinators (PLCs), conducted by CARA, designed to create further understanding of the role of laity, religious, and deacons in parish life, as well as their relationship to priest pastors and diocesan structures.
• The two studies have completed the data collection phase and are now preparing reports.

To stimulate national conversation on pastoral imagination

• Two leadership symposia have been held.
  • Northwest Region, (Seattle, November 8-10, 2004) 65 attendees
  • Upper Midwest Region, (Chicago, November 18-20, 2004) 85 attendees
• Planned by the project director working with David Ramey of Strategic Leadership, Inc.  They consisted of facilitated conversations and case studies by the participants. Two leadership symposia are scheduled and registration is underway.  
  • Southeast Region, (Atlanta April 25-27, 2005)
  • New England Region, (Storrs, June 23-25, 2005)

Initiatives of Project

• Next generation of leaders study
  • To develop research findings on recruitment and formation of  the next generation of leaders (NCYAMA) .
• Sacramental minister and parish life coordinator symposia
  • To develop strategies for effective parish leadership under Canon  517.2  (NALM, NFPC, NADD) .
• Study of  Diversity Needs
  • To study the cultural needs in recruitment, training and formation of pastoral leaders (Project Director).
• Diocesan Consultations
  • To provide diocesan consultations on just practices in parishes and the formation of lay leaders (NALM, NACPA).
• Theology
  • To reflect on the theology of emerging models of pastoral leadership in parishes (Project Director).
• Ministry Summit
  • To host a national ministry summit, co-sponsored by the six partner associations (Project Director).
• Partner Collaboration
  • To explore ways in which national associations can collaborate to serve the church.
• CPPCD’s Multiple Parish Pastoring Project
• CPPCD’s Parish Pastoral Councils Research Study