Core Qualities of a Lay Minister

There are many qualities that are vital for lay ministers to possess so that they may effectively lead, nurture, and inspire their local communities.  Five of the prominent core competencies of lay ministers that are gained from both an online M.A. in Pastoral Ministry and through a strong spiritual foundation are:

One of the core competencies of lay ministers is to be able to deeply understand and care for their community’s emotional and spiritual needs while also providing support and guidance with genuine compassion.

Coming from Latin, compassion means "to suffer with" someone in their need.  

Effective lay ministers must have strong communication skills for both teaching and interpersonal interactions.

Being able to convey messages clearly and listen attentively to their communities are among the major core qualities of a lay minister as lay ministers are continuously hearing the struggles and success of the People of God in their communities. 

Successful lay ministers will model honesty, transparency, and ethical behavior. 

Lay leaders help set the tone and establish the vision of the direction of the community.

These aspects are some of the core qualities lay ministers should possess as they help lay ministers earn the trust and respect of their communities.

The ability to persevere through challenges and adapt to changing circumstances is crucial for lay ministers.

This, in turn, helps them to maintain stability and provide guidance for their communities.

Deep spiritual insight and wisdom are essential for lay ministers, as these aspects help them provide sound advice, make informed decisions, and lead their congregations with a strong, faith-based foundation.

Before handing on the wisdom of the Church, lay ministers first need to immerse themselves in that wisdom and become infused with it.  

Only by receiving the wisdom of the Church may lay ministers pass it on.

St. John’s Seminary offers an online Catholic Master of Arts in Ministry for directors of religious education, youth ministers, campus ministers, catechists, K-12 theology teachers, and anyone else interested in receiving formation for ministry, such as permanent deacons.

This program helps students improve their knowledge of the Catholic intellectual tradition and improve their ministerial skills for the life of the Church in California.