MISSION STATEMENT
The Office of Lay Leadership was established in response to the directives of the 1994 Archdiocesan Synod to serve the parishes by helping to develop lay leaders. The office is responsible for identifying, encouraging and assisting laity to assume leadership and to develop their potential as leaders in service to the parish and the mission of the Church. The office also assists parish leadership teams to discern current ministerial needs and capabilities and provides information regarding programs to develop new leaders.

FUNCTIONS OF THE OFFICE
In accordance with its mission the Office of Lay Leadership assists pastors and diocesan offices of the Archdiocese of Newark develop lay leadership. Currently, the following pastoral services are offered:

• Information and training materials to assist pastors in identifying potential lay leaders.
• Referral service for pastors to connect their lay leaders with training and enrichment programs for leadership development in specific parochial ministries.
• Leadership skills development program through administration of the very successful Franklin Covey Institute Program: The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
	What are the characteristics of the lay leader?
	Lay leaders are baptized men and women called in the light of their baptism, their unique gifts and talents, competence, willingness to serve and by community recognition and empowerment. Lay leaders have special gifts and charisms.   They have the mind of Christ and his Church and are willing to grow continuously in the knowledge of Christ and his Church. They are willing and able to take accountability for the ministry of others. They can envision the needs of the Church and can plan, program, implement and evaluate programmatic ways to meet those needs. They are responsible and trustworthy. They have the desire and ability to work under the guidance of their pastors and to work collaboratively with lay ministers. They serve in faithful stewardship.
	What is the distinction between Parochial lay Leaders and Lay Ministers?
	Some responsibilities which lay ministers undertake do not constitute or require lay leadership. On the other hand, a minister may very well exercise a leadership role as he or she carries out a specific ministry. Specifically, under the guidance of, and in collaboration with their pastors, parochial lay leaders exercise their discipleship as responsible stewards of the time, talent, and treasure of their fellow parishioners and assume accountability for the ministry of others in the foundational ministries that constitute a parish.
	What is the distinction between Parochial Lay Leaders and Lay Leaders in the workplace and the civic arena?
	In our concern for the establishment and promotion of parish lay leadership, it is important not to forget that the primary vocation of the laity is secular. Lay leaders are needed to make present the mind of Christ and his Church in the workplace, the marketplace and the civic arena. In each of these areas, we need lay leaders Ð courageous and visionary men and women who will direct the work of promoting and defending the dignity of the human person and of establishing the patterns of social cooperation that benefit everyone Ð especially the poor and most vulnerable in our midst. Yet, if the spheres of family life, work and public life call for lay leaders, it is equally clear that our parishes also need the competency and charisms of parochial lay leaders.
	What is the distinction between Pastor and Parochial Lay leader?
	The distinction between the priesthood of the faithful and the ministerial priesthood must always be respected. The process of lay leadership development begins when all of us, priests, religious and laity, reflect and act upon our own leadership capabilities and encourage others to do the same. Pastors have a primary responsibility to form and serve as leaders of lay leaders and all the faithful.