About the Project
Emerging Models of Pastoral Leadership Project
Six national ministerial organizations are collaborating on sustaining the pastoral excellence of the emerging models of pastoral leadership in the Catholic Church. We believe that, at this time, the life of the Catholic Church depends on ongoing and sustained collaboration at all levels. These organizations have identified six marks of excellence for vibrant parishes and are committed to providing research and dialogue with pastoral leadership in pursuing this excellence.
Their vision is for a more fully collaborative, competent, and mission-focused pastoral leadership, strengthened in their service to parish communities.
In order to create a climate in which much needed research, theological reflection, and practical transforming action can take place, the Project has set three goals:
- To provide solid research on the emerging models of parish pastoral leadership
- To stimulate a national conversation about the use of pastoral imagination
to create vibrant parishes - To explore ways in which national associations can collaborate to serve the church
Project initiatives include:
- Inter-organizational collaboration and dialogue
- Research and analysis
- Regional conferences
- Resourcing and Information sharing
- Invitational gatherings
- Piloting new models
- Publication of research and theology
- Ministry Summit of the six national ministry organizations
Sustaining Pastoral Excellence Program
The Lilly Endowment, Inc.
The Project is in place thanks to the generosity of the Lilly Endowment, Inc., which established its “Sustaining Pastoral Excellence Grant Program” in 2002. This program was designed to provide funding to organizations that would establish projects to enhance pastoral leadership in parishes and congregations across the country. Sixty-three separate projects were funded as a part of this outreach. As a result of being selected to participate, the Emerging Models Project will be able to provide national support by sharing ideas for enhancing parish life with our constituencies and with parishes and dioceses across the country.
