Feb 24, 2025
The Leadership Gap (And How to Fix It)
Leadership is not an optional extra in the life of the Church—it is essential for the fulfillment of its mission.
Apostolic Ventures
Leadership
Renewal
The Problem
What's the Problem?
Leadership is not an optional extra in the life of the Church—it is essential for the fulfilment of its mission. Yet, across many Catholic communities, a critical gap exists: a lack of well-formed, mission-driven leaders, particularly among the laity. Without strong leadership, parishes struggle to move beyond maintenance mode into true missionary discipleship.
The Church is clear that leadership is not reserved for the ordained. The Second Vatican Council affirmed this in Lumen Gentium:
“The laity, by their very vocation, seek the kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and directing them according to God’s will.” (LG 31)
Yet, despite this clear call, many Catholic communities lack intentional strategies for raising up and equipping lay leaders. So how do we fix it?
1. Shift from Clergy-Dependency to Shared Leadership
Too often, leadership in Catholic communities is seen as the sole responsibility of priests, deacons, and religious. But a healthy, thriving parish requires shared leadership, where lay people are equipped to lead ministries, accompany others in discipleship, and carry forward the mission.
What to do?
Develop leadership training programs for lay people; if in doubt, try Alpha.
Encourage a culture where priests and lay leaders collaborate rather than operate in silos.
Implement structured discernment processes to help people identify and step into their leadership calling.
The Focus
The Focus
2. Invest in Ongoing Leadership Formation
Many lay people are willing to lead but feel ill-equipped. The Church must invest in continuous leadership development, ensuring that those in leadership roles are spiritually and practically prepared.
What to do?
Offer workshops, retreats, and mentorship programs focused on leadership skills, vision-casting, and spiritual formation.
Encourage ongoing theological education, including partnerships with local seminaries or online platforms like Formed and Word on Fire Institute.
Regularly evaluate leadership teams and provide coaching to help leaders grow.
3. Foster a Culture of Missionary Discipleship
Pope Francis has repeatedly emphasized the need for the Church to be “permanently in a state of mission.” Leadership is not just about administration—it’s about forming missionary disciples who lead others to Christ.
What to do?
Ensure every ministry has a missionary focus, not just a functional one.
Equip leaders with tools to evangelize, from personal testimony training to small group facilitation.
Model leadership after saints like St. John Bosco, who said:
"Walk with your feet on earth, but in your heart be in heaven."
By grounding leadership in prayer, mission, and formation, we will raise up leaders who are not just effective but truly Spirit-led.
The Posture
The Posture
So, Will You Step Up?
If Catholic communities are to thrive, we must bridge the leadership gap. Whether you are a priest, lay minister, or parishioner, the call to leadership is for you.
Parish leaders: Identify and mentor new leaders.
Lay people: Take initiative—offer to lead where you see a need.
Everyone: Commit to ongoing formation, deep prayer, and bold evangelization.
The future of the Church depends on it. How will you raise the next generation of leaders?
FAQ
FAQ
01
What is Apostolic Ventures?
02
Who do we work with?
03
What kind of services do we offer?
04
How do we support Church leaders?
05
How do we align with the 2033 vision?
06
Why is innovation important in our work?
07
How can ministries and leaders work with us?
08
Where are we based?
01
What is Apostolic Ventures?
02
Who do we work with?
03
What kind of services do we offer?
04
How do we support Church leaders?
05
How do we align with the 2033 vision?
06
Why is innovation important in our work?
07
How can ministries and leaders work with us?
08
Where are we based?
Feb 24, 2025
The Leadership Gap (And How to Fix It)
Leadership is not an optional extra in the life of the Church—it is essential for the fulfillment of its mission.
Apostolic Ventures
Leadership
Renewal
The Problem
What's the Problem?
Leadership is not an optional extra in the life of the Church—it is essential for the fulfilment of its mission. Yet, across many Catholic communities, a critical gap exists: a lack of well-formed, mission-driven leaders, particularly among the laity. Without strong leadership, parishes struggle to move beyond maintenance mode into true missionary discipleship.
The Church is clear that leadership is not reserved for the ordained. The Second Vatican Council affirmed this in Lumen Gentium:
“The laity, by their very vocation, seek the kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and directing them according to God’s will.” (LG 31)
Yet, despite this clear call, many Catholic communities lack intentional strategies for raising up and equipping lay leaders. So how do we fix it?
1. Shift from Clergy-Dependency to Shared Leadership
Too often, leadership in Catholic communities is seen as the sole responsibility of priests, deacons, and religious. But a healthy, thriving parish requires shared leadership, where lay people are equipped to lead ministries, accompany others in discipleship, and carry forward the mission.
What to do?
Develop leadership training programs for lay people; if in doubt, try Alpha.
Encourage a culture where priests and lay leaders collaborate rather than operate in silos.
Implement structured discernment processes to help people identify and step into their leadership calling.
The Focus
2. Invest in Ongoing Leadership Formation
Many lay people are willing to lead but feel ill-equipped. The Church must invest in continuous leadership development, ensuring that those in leadership roles are spiritually and practically prepared.
What to do?
Offer workshops, retreats, and mentorship programs focused on leadership skills, vision-casting, and spiritual formation.
Encourage ongoing theological education, including partnerships with local seminaries or online platforms like Formed and Word on Fire Institute.
Regularly evaluate leadership teams and provide coaching to help leaders grow.
3. Foster a Culture of Missionary Discipleship
Pope Francis has repeatedly emphasized the need for the Church to be “permanently in a state of mission.” Leadership is not just about administration—it’s about forming missionary disciples who lead others to Christ.
What to do?
Ensure every ministry has a missionary focus, not just a functional one.
Equip leaders with tools to evangelize, from personal testimony training to small group facilitation.
Model leadership after saints like St. John Bosco, who said:
"Walk with your feet on earth, but in your heart be in heaven."
By grounding leadership in prayer, mission, and formation, we will raise up leaders who are not just effective but truly Spirit-led.
The Posture
So, Will You Step Up?
If Catholic communities are to thrive, we must bridge the leadership gap. Whether you are a priest, lay minister, or parishioner, the call to leadership is for you.
Parish leaders: Identify and mentor new leaders.
Lay people: Take initiative—offer to lead where you see a need.
Everyone: Commit to ongoing formation, deep prayer, and bold evangelization.
The future of the Church depends on it. How will you raise the next generation of leaders?
FAQ
01
What is Apostolic Ventures?
02
Who do we work with?
03
What kind of services do we offer?
04
How do we support Church leaders?
05
How do we align with the 2033 vision?
06
Why is innovation important in our work?
07
How can ministries and leaders work with us?
08
Where are we based?
Feb 24, 2025
The Leadership Gap (And How to Fix It)
Leadership is not an optional extra in the life of the Church—it is essential for the fulfillment of its mission.
Apostolic Ventures
Leadership
Renewal
The Problem
What's the Problem?
Leadership is not an optional extra in the life of the Church—it is essential for the fulfilment of its mission. Yet, across many Catholic communities, a critical gap exists: a lack of well-formed, mission-driven leaders, particularly among the laity. Without strong leadership, parishes struggle to move beyond maintenance mode into true missionary discipleship.
The Church is clear that leadership is not reserved for the ordained. The Second Vatican Council affirmed this in Lumen Gentium:
“The laity, by their very vocation, seek the kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and directing them according to God’s will.” (LG 31)
Yet, despite this clear call, many Catholic communities lack intentional strategies for raising up and equipping lay leaders. So how do we fix it?
1. Shift from Clergy-Dependency to Shared Leadership
Too often, leadership in Catholic communities is seen as the sole responsibility of priests, deacons, and religious. But a healthy, thriving parish requires shared leadership, where lay people are equipped to lead ministries, accompany others in discipleship, and carry forward the mission.
What to do?
Develop leadership training programs for lay people; if in doubt, try Alpha.
Encourage a culture where priests and lay leaders collaborate rather than operate in silos.
Implement structured discernment processes to help people identify and step into their leadership calling.
The Focus
2. Invest in Ongoing Leadership Formation
Many lay people are willing to lead but feel ill-equipped. The Church must invest in continuous leadership development, ensuring that those in leadership roles are spiritually and practically prepared.
What to do?
Offer workshops, retreats, and mentorship programs focused on leadership skills, vision-casting, and spiritual formation.
Encourage ongoing theological education, including partnerships with local seminaries or online platforms like Formed and Word on Fire Institute.
Regularly evaluate leadership teams and provide coaching to help leaders grow.
3. Foster a Culture of Missionary Discipleship
Pope Francis has repeatedly emphasized the need for the Church to be “permanently in a state of mission.” Leadership is not just about administration—it’s about forming missionary disciples who lead others to Christ.
What to do?
Ensure every ministry has a missionary focus, not just a functional one.
Equip leaders with tools to evangelize, from personal testimony training to small group facilitation.
Model leadership after saints like St. John Bosco, who said:
"Walk with your feet on earth, but in your heart be in heaven."
By grounding leadership in prayer, mission, and formation, we will raise up leaders who are not just effective but truly Spirit-led.
The Posture
So, Will You Step Up?
If Catholic communities are to thrive, we must bridge the leadership gap. Whether you are a priest, lay minister, or parishioner, the call to leadership is for you.
Parish leaders: Identify and mentor new leaders.
Lay people: Take initiative—offer to lead where you see a need.
Everyone: Commit to ongoing formation, deep prayer, and bold evangelization.
The future of the Church depends on it. How will you raise the next generation of leaders?
FAQ
What is Apostolic Ventures?
Who do we work with?
What kind of services do we offer?
How do we support Church leaders?
How do we align with the 2033 vision?
Why is innovation important in our work?
How can ministries and leaders work with us?
Where are we based?