2010 Catalog cover - The Athenaeum Of Ohio

In 2006, at the request of Archbishop Pilarczyk, the
Pastoral Administration Program was developed in
response to archdiocesan needs. It is a graduate
certificate track designed to build upon a student’s
prior formation in theology and pastoral ministry. It
includes both academics and formation, allowing lay
and ordained participants to develop and enhance
skills in pastoral leadership and administrative
ministry.
Courses in the LPMP may be applied toward
catechist certification for religious educators, and as
theology requirements for those seeking to
complete the program of certification for youth
ministers. Persons interested in these possibilities
should contact the archdiocesan offices of Evangelization
and Catechesis or Youth Ministry.
The LPMP staff collaborates with the staff of the
seminary in bringing about more effective contact
between seminarians and lay ministry participants
through joint Athenaeum activities and educational
experiences. At the same time, the formation of
LPMP participants is addressed within the same
framework of commitment to a unique lay expression
of ministry that gave birth to the program.
Mission
The mission of the Lay Pastoral Ministry Program is
to provide ministerial, academic and spiritual
formation for lay persons preparing for service to
the Church. Participants are provided with the
experiences they need:
- to become more effective ministers
- to empower others to minister
- to minister with creativity and adaptability to
the evolving needs of a changing church and
society.
In order to accomplish this mission, the program
experience provides participants with a general
theological education as well as the opportunity to
develop ministerial skills under the supervision of
experienced ministers. Through the program,
participants are led into a deepened understanding
and appreciation for the tradition which is the basis
of their contribution to the mission of the church.
They are challenged to consider mature faith
questions and to develop a stance and a spirituality
supportive of their role as lay ministers.
Admission
Ideally applications for the Lay Pastoral Ministry
Program should be submitted by April 30 of the
year in which a participant plans to enroll.
The process for formal application includes an
interview with a staff member, submission of an
application form and autobiography, references
from pastor and others, transcripts (for MAPM
students), attendance at an assessment workshop
with other applicants, and a personality profile. The
personality profile may include the MRA Leadership
Matrix, Fundamental Interpersonal Relationship
Orientation-Behavior (FIRO-B), and Meyers
Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). The test administrator
meets individually with each applicant to discuss
the results of these inventories and their implications
for ministry. Considerations for admission include
- orientation toward service
- emotional maturity
- evidence of prayer life
- experience in ministry
- openness to change
- ability to study theology at the appropriate
level
- stability in home and personal life
The LPMP staff reviews applications after the
assessment workshop and makes its recommendations
for admission to the Athenaeum Admissions
and Degrees Committee. Applicants whose files
are complete by assessment day will be notified by
July 15 of the decision. A participant may be
admitted for study either toward the Master of Arts in
Pastoral Ministry or toward the non-degree
Certificate of Completion in Lay Ministry.
First-year participants are required to attend a daylong
workshop entitled “Orientation to Lay Ministry
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