News Room
In the News
"Roamin' Collar: Multi-parish Pastoring"
Emerging Models Leaders Offer Insight to U.S. Catholic Readers
April 30, 2010
Emerging Models leaders Mark Mogilka and former director Marti Jewell weigh in on the challenges and opportunities of multi-parish pastoring. With valuable data from research Sr. Katarina Schuth, as well.
American Catholic demographics and the future of ministry
An article on trends by NCR's John Allen featuring Emerging Models partner NACPA
April 30, 2010
NCR Vatican correspondent John Allen's thoughts on trends in ministry, trends in the growth and makeup of the American Catholic community, and possible future outcomes for ministry. An article that derives from Allen's recent talk to the National Association of Church Personnel Administrators (NACPA), an Emerging Models collaborator.
Survey finds signs of hope, challenges among younger Catholics
February 25, 2010
American Catholic adults under 30 share the commitment of older generations to philanthropy and volunteerism, but are more likely to believe that morals "are relative," according to a new survey commissioned by the Knights of Columbus. The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., conducted the survey Dec. 23-Jan. 4 among 2,243 Americans, including an oversample of 1,006 "millennials" -- those age 18 to 29.
The Changing Face of Church
New title in the Emerging Models Series
February 5, 2010
"Where are we headed, what does it mean, and how can Catholic parishes thrive in the years to come?" The Changing Face of Church: Emerging Models of Pastoral Leadership documents the best practices for approaching the evolving challenge of parish ministry.
Fired! Study on Unemployment Benefits for Church Employees
Do Church Employees Get Unemployment Benefits?
June 20, 2009
"There's an art and a science to the human resources function. The art component is critical. The church should represent the best practice for all corporations in America, but we're just not there yet."
In Search of the Emerging Church
June 20, 2009
After attending the National Ministry Summit, and listening to the stories of Catholics as they describe the nature of the life and changes in their parishes, Tom Roberts, editor at large for the National Catholic Reporter, began a road trip to meet and further exploring the emerging reality.
Benedict XVI Call for Recognition of Co-Responsibility of Laity
Papal Address
May 26, 2009
Benedict XVI, in addressing diocesan delegates at a conference in Rome, called for recognition that the laity are not just collaborators of the clergy but truly share "responsibility for the mission and existence of the church."
Parish Closing Trauma
February 2, 2009
NCR is beginning a series of articles on changing parish structures and leadership. This article, the first in a planned year-long series, focuses on parishes merging and/or closing and how the Church is responding to difficult situations.
The Church's Future Is Now
January 23, 2009
NCR has published an editorial recognizing the challenges facing dioceses in the United States and the national conversation hosted by the Emerging Models Project to look at these challenges.
In Fulfilllment of Their Mission
The Duties and Tasks of a Roman Catholic Priest: An Assessment Project
July 25, 2008
The NCEA Seminary Division has created a new resource on the duties and competencies needed for parish pastoring. Developed as a resource for seminaries, it is the first to develop a profile of, and assesment tool for, what a Roman Catholic pastor needs to know and be able to do.
Will They Serve?
A new survey looks at young peoples' attitudes towards ministry
July 15, 2008
Where will the next generation of pastoral leaders come from? This is a question that is becoming critically important to the future of the church. America Magazine has taken on this question in its July 21, 2008 issue.
Shaping Catholic Parishes - An Interview
Catholic Bookmarks Radio
June 2, 2008
Project Director Marti Jewell is interviewed about the Project's new book "Shaping Catholic Parishes." The interview is condcuted by Frank Morock, host of Catholic Bookmarks Radio, an initiative of the U.S. Conference of Bishops' Catholic Communications Campaign.
Ministry Summit Participants Address the Future
May 8, 2008
Working on a tight timetable and employing state-of-the-art technology, lay and ordained pastoral leaders from fifty states and six foreign countires engaged the six research areas of the Emerging Models Project to develop practical recommendations that can be implemented now.
National Ministry Summit on Emerging Models of Pastoral Leadership
Creating a Culture of Accountability
May 6, 2008
“Create a culture of accountability through performance reviews for all ministers – ordained, religious and lay – that reflect the application of best practices of emerging models of parish leadership.”
That was one of the key recommendations from over 1,200 lay leaders, deacons, priests and bishops who gathered in Orlando last week for a national ministry summit on emerging models of pastoral leadership.
Ministry summit–goers see diverse leadership as a key to church’s future – but don’t see it in themselves.
National Ministry Summit
April 24, 2008
Catholic ministry leaders detailed lifelong learning, collaborative ministry, solid formation and a greater need to encourage diverse leadership as crucial to the further growth of a healthy church on the last day of an unprecedented summit meeting.
Expanded role for lay ministers emerges as a Summit topic
National Ministry Summit
April 23, 2008
[Bishop Blase Cupich] He said that what’s being created through the summit is a leaven that the participants can take back to their parishes and dioceses to see what develops.
Summit–goers grapple with changing church: multi–parish pastors, more lay ministers, growing diversity.
National Ministry Summit
April 22, 2008
An expanded role for professional lay ministers is high among possible models for pastoral leadership emerging from an unprecedented gathering here of 1,200 Catholics — clergy, vowed religious and laity — preparing for the future of a changing church.
U.S. Religious Landscape Survey
March 3, 2008
New study of U.S. religious affiliation released. Study conducted by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, a subsidiary of the Pew Charitable Trusts.
Symposium on Lay Ecclesial Ministry
St. John's School of Theology, Collegeville
September 18, 2007
Over 200 Catholic leaders gathered at St. John's School of Theology in Collegeville this summer. Representing U.S. bishops, national organizations, diocesan offices, Catholic colleges and universities, Hispanic, African American and Asian Pacific ministry leaders, pastors, and lay ecclesial ministers the gathering focused on compelling questions affecting the advancement of lay ecclesial ministry formation, authorization, pathways into ministry, and workplace issues.
Hispanic Youth are U.S. Church's Best Investment
Viewpoint
September 7, 2007
Despite its strategic importance, Hispanic youth and young adult ministry suffers from a chronic shortage of paid personnel, training resources, and other financial support. Among those surveyed, 65 percent completed at least high school and the majority (61 percent) is bilingual. However, these largely single lay leaders are virtually all volunteers! [Read full story.]
Parish Life Coordinators, Sacramental Ministers, and Priest Moderators
Research Symposium Series Completed
February 22, 2007
Best practices for parish life coordinators and sacramental ministers were surfaced in two research symposium hosted by the Emerging Models Project. 100 participants from across the country were invited to engage the conversation of best practices for those ministering under Canon 517.2.
Press Release
Project to Continue!
New Initiatives Study Challenges and Change in Parishes
April 2, 2009
The Emerging Models of Pastoral Leadership Project has received a $1 million renewal grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to begin a new set of research initiatives focused on parish leadership.
Unprecedented Ministy Summit Calls for Action
Addresses Changing Parish Life
May 2, 2008
Some 1,200 priests, deacons, lay ecclesial ministers, and vowed religious took part in the National Ministry Summit in Orlando. The three-day Summit, convened by six national Catholic organizations intent on addressing changes in U.S. parishes, employed a collaborative process that yielded recommendations that the sponsors will study and begin to implement.
Next Generation of Pastoral Leaders
Interim Report of Extensive On-Line Study
January 17, 2008
The Emerging Models Project is announcing the findings of an extensive on-line study of active Catholics in their 20's and 30's. They are telling us they are interested in ministry, whether lay, ordained, or vowed, but they want to be involved in the Church NOW! They are telling us what we need to know to develop their leadership. The Church has its work cut out!
