Laity Working in the Catholic Church
2025 National Survey
National Association for Lay Ministry (NALM)

The goal of the 2025 Laity Working in the Catholic Church Survey is to understand the life and ministry/service/work of today's lay leaders in parishes, dioceses, and Catholic ministries. Much has changed in the past decade and our survey is a way to understand and interpret the new context by better understanding the people who are engaged in the Church's ministry today. With this understanding, NALM and collaborating Catholic organizations can discern how to provide support, advocacy, and formation for lay people engaged in Church service/work.

The survey is organized into five parts:

1. About Your Life
2. About Your Ministry/Service/Work in the Church
3. About Your Education and Formation
4. About Your Setting
5. About Your Experience

Thank you for completing this survey and contributing to a better understanding of lay ministry today.

1. About Your Life

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* 1. What is your position/title/role in your ministry/service/work in the Catholic Church?

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* 2. How do you see yourself?

	Yes	No
I see what I do as ministry in my work/service.	I see what I do as ministry in my work/service. Yes	I see what I do as ministry in my work/service. No
I see myself as a lay minister.	I see myself as a lay minister. Yes	I see myself as a lay minister. No
I see myself as an Lay Ecclesial Minister (as presented in the US Bishops' document, Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord).	I see myself as an Lay Ecclesial Minister (as presented in the US Bishops' document, Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord). Yes	I see myself as an Lay Ecclesial Minister (as presented in the US Bishops' document, Co-Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord). No

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* 3. What is your age category?

18-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

60-69

70 or older

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* 4. What is your gender?

Female

Male

I prefer not to answer

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* 5. What is your relationship status?

Single (never married)

Married

Widowed

Divorced

Separated

Member of a religious order

Other (please specify)

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* 6. In what state or U.S. territory do you live?

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* 7. Were you baptized Roman Catholic as a child?

Yes

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* 8. Were you raised Catholic?

Yes

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* 9. Were you baptized Roman Catholic as an adult or received into the Church as an adult.

Yes

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* 10. Which of the following best describes your racial or ethnic background?

Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian.

Black/African American/African/Afro-Caribbean.

Hispanic/Latino(a).

Native American/American Indian/Native Alaskan.

White/Caucasian/European descent.

Is there another national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, tribe, or other group with which you identify?

2. About Your Ministry/Service/Work

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* 11. Which of the following primarily led you to enter Church ministry/service/work? Check no more than 4 that apply.

Response to God’s call

Way to draw closer to God

Being evangelized by someone

Desire to serve in church settings

Desire to evangelize others

Enhance my spiritual life

Good fit with my areas of competence, interests, and/or gifts

Encouragement of my spouse or family member

Invitation by a pastor, priest, or deacon

Invitation by a lay leader

Example of other lay ministers

Attending a Catholic high school

Attending a Catholic college

Involvement in Catholic campus ministry

Involvement in the parish as a teenager or young adult

Involvement in a long-term volunteer service program like Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC)

Involvement in a short-term volunteer service program like a mission trip

Participation in a diocesan, national, or international religious gathering like World Youth Day

Deeper involvement in parish life

Attraction to service in local community

Service to a particular group, such as an age group, ethnic community, disability group, or a disadvantaged community

Desire to work for social justice

Involvement in an ecclesial movement with the Church, such as Cursillo, FOCUS, Charismatic Renewal, etc.

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* 12. How many years have you been engaged in church ministry/service/work (total)?

1-2

3-4

5-9

10-14

15-19

20-24

25-29

30 or more

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* 13. How would you name your PRIMARY role in Church service (select one) and SECONDARY roles (select up to four)? [For Diocesan Ministry, please select Diocesan as Primary and then your specializations as Secondary.]

	Primary Role	Secondary Role
Administration	Administration Primary Role	Administration Secondary Role
Adult Faith Formation	Adult Faith Formation Primary Role	Adult Faith Formation Secondary Role
Care for the Sick	Care for the Sick Primary Role	Care for the Sick Secondary Role
Campus Ministry	Campus Ministry Primary Role	Campus Ministry Secondary Role
Catechesis - All Ages (Lifelong)	Catechesis - All Ages (Lifelong) Primary Role	Catechesis - All Ages (Lifelong) Secondary Role
Chaplaincy	Chaplaincy Primary Role	Chaplaincy Secondary Role
Children’s Catechesis	Children’s Catechesis Primary Role	Children’s Catechesis Secondary Role
Communication and/or Digital Ministry	Communication and/or Digital Ministry Primary Role	Communication and/or Digital Ministry Secondary Role
Diocesan Ministry	Diocesan Ministry Primary Role	Diocesan Ministry Secondary Role
Ethnic / Cultural Ministry	Ethnic / Cultural Ministry Primary Role	Ethnic / Cultural Ministry Secondary Role
Evangelization and Outreach	Evangelization and Outreach Primary Role	Evangelization and Outreach Secondary Role
Family Life Ministry	Family Life Ministry Primary Role	Family Life Ministry Secondary Role
Marriage Ministry (enrichment, separated/divorced)	Marriage Ministry (enrichment, separated/divorced) Primary Role	Marriage Ministry (enrichment, separated/divorced) Secondary Role
Financial Management	Financial Management Primary Role	Financial Management Secondary Role
Governance	Governance Primary Role	Governance Secondary Role
Liturgical Ministry / Music	Liturgical Ministry / Music Primary Role	Liturgical Ministry / Music Secondary Role
Marriage Preparation	Marriage Preparation Primary Role	Marriage Preparation Secondary Role
OCIA Coordinator	OCIA Coordinator Primary Role	OCIA Coordinator Secondary Role
Parish Life Coordinator (Canon 517.2)	Parish Life Coordinator (Canon 517.2) Primary Role	Parish Life Coordinator (Canon 517.2) Secondary Role
Pastoral Associate	Pastoral Associate Primary Role	Pastoral Associate Secondary Role
Pastoral Care	Pastoral Care Primary Role	Pastoral Care Secondary Role
Sacramental Preparation (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation)	Sacramental Preparation (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation) Primary Role	Sacramental Preparation (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation) Secondary Role
Seniors Ministry	Seniors Ministry Primary Role	Seniors Ministry Secondary Role
Social Justice / Service to the Community	Social Justice / Service to the Community Primary Role	Social Justice / Service to the Community Secondary Role
Young Adult Ministry (20s-30s)	Young Adult Ministry (20s-30s) Primary Role	Young Adult Ministry (20s-30s) Secondary Role
Youth Ministry	Youth Ministry Primary Role	Youth Ministry Secondary Role
Bereavement MInistry	Bereavement MInistry Primary Role	Bereavement MInistry Secondary Role
Wellness or Mental Health Ministry	Wellness or Mental Health Ministry Primary Role	Wellness or Mental Health Ministry Secondary Role
Safe Environment Coordination	Safe Environment Coordination Primary Role	Safe Environment Coordination Secondary Role
Addiction Recovery Ministry	Addiction Recovery Ministry Primary Role	Addiction Recovery Ministry Secondary Role

Other Secondary Role (please specify)

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* 14. How many years have you been serving in your PRIMARY role in your current setting (parish, diocese, campus, etc.)?

1-2

3-4

5-9

10-14

15-19

20-24

25-29

30 or more

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* 15. Which of the following best describes your ministry/work/service today?

Paid full time

Paid part time

Non-paid full time

Non-paid part time

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* 16. What language(s) do you use in your ministry/work/service?

Primary Language:

Additional Language:

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* 17. How many hours, in a typical week, are you involved in ministry/service/work in your setting?

1-10

11-20

21-30

31-40

41 or more

3. About Your Education & Formation

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* 18. Which of the following content areas are important for your ministry/service/work and how well prepared do you feel in each area? (Column 1 rates the importance from not important to very important. Column 2 rates how prepared you feel from not prepared to very prepared.)

	How important is this content area for you?	How well prepared do you feel in this content area?
Scripture	Scripture How important is this content area for you? menu	Scripture How well prepared do you feel in this content area? menu
Catholic doctrine	Catholic doctrine How important is this content area for you? menu	Catholic doctrine How well prepared do you feel in this content area? menu
Moral theology	Moral theology How important is this content area for you? menu	Moral theology How well prepared do you feel in this content area? menu
Liturgy	Liturgy How important is this content area for you? menu	Liturgy How well prepared do you feel in this content area? menu
Sacraments	Sacraments How important is this content area for you? menu	Sacraments How well prepared do you feel in this content area? menu
Prayer & spirituality	Prayer & spirituality How important is this content area for you? menu	Prayer & spirituality How well prepared do you feel in this content area? menu
Catholic social teaching	Catholic social teaching How important is this content area for you? menu	Catholic social teaching How well prepared do you feel in this content area? menu
Canon law	Canon law How important is this content area for you? menu	Canon law How well prepared do you feel in this content area? menu
Leadership practices & skills	Leadership practices & skills How important is this content area for you? menu	Leadership practices & skills How well prepared do you feel in this content area? menu
Pastoral care	Pastoral care How important is this content area for you? menu	Pastoral care How well prepared do you feel in this content area? menu
Pastoral ministry	Pastoral ministry How important is this content area for you? menu	Pastoral ministry How well prepared do you feel in this content area? menu
Evangelization and catechesis	Evangelization and catechesis How important is this content area for you? menu	Evangelization and catechesis How well prepared do you feel in this content area? menu
Management & administration	Management & administration How important is this content area for you? menu	Management & administration How well prepared do you feel in this content area? menu
Digital ministry	Digital ministry How important is this content area for you? menu	Digital ministry How well prepared do you feel in this content area? menu

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* 19. Which best describes your highest level of education?

Less than a high school diploma

High school graduate

Associate degree or some college

Bachelor's degree

Some graduate or professional school

Masters degree (M.A., M.Div., etc.)

Doctoral degree (D.Min, Ph.D., Ed.D)

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* 20. Please select the one major field of your highest degree.

Administration

Business

Counselling/psychology

Education

Liberal arts

Liturgy

Music

Pastoral ministry

Religious education

Science / Engineering

Social sciences

Social work

Theology / religious studies

Other Field

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* 21. If you have a second degree, please select the field.

Do not have a second degree

Administration

Business

Counselling/psychology

Education

Liberal arts

Liturgy

Music

Pastoral ministry

Religious education

Science / Engineering

Social sciences

Social work

Theology

Other Field

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* 22. Have you participated in a ministry formation program sponsored by any of the following organizations? Check all that apply.

No - I have not participated in a ministry formation program

Yes - at a college or university

Yes - at a seminary or school of theology

Yes - through my diocese

Yes - through a national Catholic organization

Yes - through another ministry certification program

Other ministry formation program

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* 23. Do you have or are you in the process of completing any of the following? Check all that apply.

No, I am not completing an educational program

Yes, ministry formation program

Yes, certificate in theology or ministry

Yes, certificate in catechetical ministry

Yes, bachelor degree in ministry or theology

Yes, masters degree in ministry or theology

Yes, doctorate in ministry or theology

Other educational degree

4. About Your Setting

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* 24. Have you been publicly authorized for your role in any of the following ways?

Yes, through an oral or written announcement by my supervisor

Yes, through a liturgical commissioning in my parish or ministry setting

Yes, at a diocesan level (by my bishop or with his approval)

Other form of authorization

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* 25. Do you have a written job description?

Yes

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* 26. Do you have a written job contract?

Yes

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* 27. Do you receive a formal performance evaluation at least every year?

Yes

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* 28. Do you feel free to discuss difficulties and differences of opinion with your supervisor?

	Never	Seldom	Sometimes (depending on the issue)	Usually	Always
Rating	Rating Never	Rating Seldom	Rating Sometimes (depending on the issue)	Rating Usually	Rating Always

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* 29. Are you given sufficient authority to carry out your responsibilities?

	No	Seldom	Sometimes (depending on the responsibility)	Usually	Always
Rating	Rating No	Rating Seldom	Rating Sometimes (depending on the responsibility)	Rating Usually	Rating Always

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* 30. For each of the following activities, please rate how IMPORTANT the activity is for you and how FREQUENTLY the activity is practiced.

	Importance to You	Frequency of Activity
Staff/team meetings	Staff/team meetings Importance to You menu	Staff/team meetings Frequency of Activity menu
Staff/team prayer (over and above meetings)	Staff/team prayer (over and above meetings) Importance to You menu	Staff/team prayer (over and above meetings) Frequency of Activity menu
Socializing as a staff/team ( outside of work)	Socializing as a staff/team ( outside of work) Importance to You menu	Socializing as a staff/team ( outside of work) Frequency of Activity menu
Staff/team retreats (overnights or full days)	Staff/team retreats (overnights or full days) Importance to You menu	Staff/team retreats (overnights or full days) Frequency of Activity menu
Communication among staff/team members	Communication among staff/team members Importance to You menu	Communication among staff/team members Frequency of Activity menu
Working together with other staff/team members	Working together with other staff/team members Importance to You menu	Working together with other staff/team members Frequency of Activity menu

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* 31. How well do the following words describe your ministry/service/work? Rate each one from 1 to 5 with 1=not at all and 5=a lot.

	1 = Not at all		3 = Somewhat		5 = A lot
Fascinating	Fascinating 1 = Not at all	Fascinating	Fascinating 3 = Somewhat	Fascinating	Fascinating 5 = A lot
Routine	Routine 1 = Not at all	Routine	Routine 3 = Somewhat	Routine	Routine 5 = A lot
Satisfying	Satisfying 1 = Not at all	Satisfying	Satisfying 3 = Somewhat	Satisfying	Satisfying 5 = A lot
Overwhelming	Overwhelming 1 = Not at all	Overwhelming	Overwhelming 3 = Somewhat	Overwhelming	Overwhelming 5 = A lot
Boring	Boring 1 = Not at all	Boring	Boring 3 = Somewhat	Boring	Boring 5 = A lot
Good	Good 1 = Not at all	Good	Good 3 = Somewhat	Good	Good 5 = A lot
Creative	Creative 1 = Not at all	Creative	Creative 3 = Somewhat	Creative	Creative 5 = A lot
Respected	Respected 1 = Not at all	Respected	Respected 3 = Somewhat	Respected	Respected 5 = A lot
Tiresome	Tiresome 1 = Not at all	Tiresome	Tiresome 3 = Somewhat	Tiresome	Tiresome 5 = A lot
Challenging	Challenging 1 = Not at all	Challenging	Challenging 3 = Somewhat	Challenging	Challenging 5 = A lot
Frustrating	Frustrating 1 = Not at all	Frustrating	Frustrating 3 = Somewhat	Frustrating	Frustrating 5 = A lot
Gives sense of accomplishment	Gives sense of accomplishment 1 = Not at all	Gives sense of accomplishment	Gives sense of accomplishment 3 = Somewhat	Gives sense of accomplishment	Gives sense of accomplishment 5 = A lot
Spiritually rewarding	Spiritually rewarding 1 = Not at all	Spiritually rewarding	Spiritually rewarding 3 = Somewhat	Spiritually rewarding	Spiritually rewarding 5 = A lot

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* 32. For Full Time Ministers: What is your annual salary for this ministry/work?

Not Paid

$7,500 to 22,000

$22,001 to $34,999

$35,000 to $49,999

$50,000 to 64,999

$65,000 to $90,000

Over $90,000

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* 33. For Part Time Ministers: What is your annual salary for this ministry/work?

Not Paid

Less than $5,000

$5001-$9,999

$10,000-$14,999

$15,000-$19,999

$20,000-$24,999

Over $25,000

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* 34. For each type of employment compensation or benefit that you receive from your ministry/service/work (listed below), how satisfied are you?

	Very Dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied	Satisfied	Very Satisfied	Not Offered
Salary	Salary Very Dissatisfied	Salary Dissatisfied	Salary Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied	Salary Satisfied	Salary Very Satisfied	Salary Not Offered
Retirement or pension	Retirement or pension Very Dissatisfied	Retirement or pension Dissatisfied	Retirement or pension Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied	Retirement or pension Satisfied	Retirement or pension Very Satisfied	Retirement or pension Not Offered
Life insurance	Life insurance Very Dissatisfied	Life insurance Dissatisfied	Life insurance Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied	Life insurance Satisfied	Life insurance Very Satisfied	Life insurance Not Offered
Health insurance	Health insurance Very Dissatisfied	Health insurance Dissatisfied	Health insurance Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied	Health insurance Satisfied	Health insurance Very Satisfied	Health insurance Not Offered
Dental insurance	Dental insurance Very Dissatisfied	Dental insurance Dissatisfied	Dental insurance Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied	Dental insurance Satisfied	Dental insurance Very Satisfied	Dental insurance Not Offered
Paid family leave	Paid family leave Very Dissatisfied	Paid family leave Dissatisfied	Paid family leave Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied	Paid family leave Satisfied	Paid family leave Very Satisfied	Paid family leave Not Offered
Paid sick days	Paid sick days Very Dissatisfied	Paid sick days Dissatisfied	Paid sick days Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied	Paid sick days Satisfied	Paid sick days Very Satisfied	Paid sick days Not Offered
Paid vacation days	Paid vacation days Very Dissatisfied	Paid vacation days Dissatisfied	Paid vacation days Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied	Paid vacation days Satisfied	Paid vacation days Very Satisfied	Paid vacation days Not Offered
Paid retreat days	Paid retreat days Very Dissatisfied	Paid retreat days Dissatisfied	Paid retreat days Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied	Paid retreat days Satisfied	Paid retreat days Very Satisfied	Paid retreat days Not Offered
Funds for a retreat or continuing education	Funds for a retreat or continuing education Very Dissatisfied	Funds for a retreat or continuing education Dissatisfied	Funds for a retreat or continuing education Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied	Funds for a retreat or continuing education Satisfied	Funds for a retreat or continuing education Very Satisfied	Funds for a retreat or continuing education Not Offered

5. About Your Experience

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* 35. What has been your experience in Church ministry/service/work as a lay person?

	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Uncertain	Agree	Strongly Agree
I feel a deep sense of calling to Church service.	I feel a deep sense of calling to Church service. Strongly disagree	I feel a deep sense of calling to Church service. Disagree	I feel a deep sense of calling to Church service. Uncertain	I feel a deep sense of calling to Church service. Agree	I feel a deep sense of calling to Church service. Strongly Agree
I find my work/service to be meaningful.	I find my work/service to be meaningful. Strongly disagree	I find my work/service to be meaningful. Disagree	I find my work/service to be meaningful. Uncertain	I find my work/service to be meaningful. Agree	I find my work/service to be meaningful. Strongly Agree
My gifts, skills, and passions align with my work.	My gifts, skills, and passions align with my work. Strongly disagree	My gifts, skills, and passions align with my work. Disagree	My gifts, skills, and passions align with my work. Uncertain	My gifts, skills, and passions align with my work. Agree	My gifts, skills, and passions align with my work. Strongly Agree
I feel a sense of accomplishment in my work.	I feel a sense of accomplishment in my work. Strongly disagree	I feel a sense of accomplishment in my work. Disagree	I feel a sense of accomplishment in my work. Uncertain	I feel a sense of accomplishment in my work. Agree	I feel a sense of accomplishment in my work. Strongly Agree
My work contributes to my overall sense of well-being.	My work contributes to my overall sense of well-being. Strongly disagree	My work contributes to my overall sense of well-being. Disagree	My work contributes to my overall sense of well-being. Uncertain	My work contributes to my overall sense of well-being. Agree	My work contributes to my overall sense of well-being. Strongly Agree
I have regular practices that contribute to my physical well-being (exercise, diet, rest).	I have regular practices that contribute to my physical well-being (exercise, diet, rest). Strongly disagree	I have regular practices that contribute to my physical well-being (exercise, diet, rest). Disagree	I have regular practices that contribute to my physical well-being (exercise, diet, rest). Uncertain	I have regular practices that contribute to my physical well-being (exercise, diet, rest). Agree	I have regular practices that contribute to my physical well-being (exercise, diet, rest). Strongly Agree
I have regular practices that contribute to my spiritual health (prayer, retreat, scripture study).	I have regular practices that contribute to my spiritual health (prayer, retreat, scripture study). Strongly disagree	I have regular practices that contribute to my spiritual health (prayer, retreat, scripture study). Disagree	I have regular practices that contribute to my spiritual health (prayer, retreat, scripture study). Uncertain	I have regular practices that contribute to my spiritual health (prayer, retreat, scripture study). Agree	I have regular practices that contribute to my spiritual health (prayer, retreat, scripture study). Strongly Agree
I feel a sense of joy or satisfaction.	I feel a sense of joy or satisfaction. Strongly disagree	I feel a sense of joy or satisfaction. Disagree	I feel a sense of joy or satisfaction. Uncertain	I feel a sense of joy or satisfaction. Agree	I feel a sense of joy or satisfaction. Strongly Agree
I have enough time to rest and recover outside of work.	I have enough time to rest and recover outside of work. Strongly disagree	I have enough time to rest and recover outside of work. Disagree	I have enough time to rest and recover outside of work. Uncertain	I have enough time to rest and recover outside of work. Agree	I have enough time to rest and recover outside of work. Strongly Agree
I am able to balance my personal life and my work life.	I am able to balance my personal life and my work life. Strongly disagree	I am able to balance my personal life and my work life. Disagree	I am able to balance my personal life and my work life. Uncertain	I am able to balance my personal life and my work life. Agree	I am able to balance my personal life and my work life. Strongly Agree
I feel confident that I can overcome problems and challenges in my work.	I feel confident that I can overcome problems and challenges in my work. Strongly disagree	I feel confident that I can overcome problems and challenges in my work. Disagree	I feel confident that I can overcome problems and challenges in my work. Uncertain	I feel confident that I can overcome problems and challenges in my work. Agree	I feel confident that I can overcome problems and challenges in my work. Strongly Agree
I have support systems (family, friends, colleagues) that I can rely on during difficult times.	I have support systems (family, friends, colleagues) that I can rely on during difficult times. Strongly disagree	I have support systems (family, friends, colleagues) that I can rely on during difficult times. Disagree	I have support systems (family, friends, colleagues) that I can rely on during difficult times. Uncertain	I have support systems (family, friends, colleagues) that I can rely on during difficult times. Agree	I have support systems (family, friends, colleagues) that I can rely on during difficult times. Strongly Agree
I feel the support of my supervisor(s).	I feel the support of my supervisor(s). Strongly disagree	I feel the support of my supervisor(s). Disagree	I feel the support of my supervisor(s). Uncertain	I feel the support of my supervisor(s). Agree	I feel the support of my supervisor(s). Strongly Agree
I feel the support of my team or staff or colleagues.	I feel the support of my team or staff or colleagues. Strongly disagree	I feel the support of my team or staff or colleagues. Disagree	I feel the support of my team or staff or colleagues. Uncertain	I feel the support of my team or staff or colleagues. Agree	I feel the support of my team or staff or colleagues. Strongly Agree
I often experience feelings of burnout or fatigue.	I often experience feelings of burnout or fatigue. Strongly disagree	I often experience feelings of burnout or fatigue. Disagree	I often experience feelings of burnout or fatigue. Uncertain	I often experience feelings of burnout or fatigue. Agree	I often experience feelings of burnout or fatigue. Strongly Agree
I often feel emotionally exhausted.	I often feel emotionally exhausted. Strongly disagree	I often feel emotionally exhausted. Disagree	I often feel emotionally exhausted. Uncertain	I often feel emotionally exhausted. Agree	I often feel emotionally exhausted. Strongly Agree
I often feel energized after a typical work week.	I often feel energized after a typical work week. Strongly disagree	I often feel energized after a typical work week. Disagree	I often feel energized after a typical work week. Uncertain	I often feel energized after a typical work week. Agree	I often feel energized after a typical work week. Strongly Agree

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* 36. What are the most significant challenges you face in Church ministry/service/work today? Rate each item from Not Important to Extremely Important based on how important the challenge is for you today.

	Not important	Slightly important	Moderately important	Very important	Extremely important
Addressing the diverse needs of people I serve	Addressing the diverse needs of people I serve Not important	Addressing the diverse needs of people I serve Slightly important	Addressing the diverse needs of people I serve Moderately important	Addressing the diverse needs of people I serve Very important	Addressing the diverse needs of people I serve Extremely important
Addressing the needs of people disaffiliating from the Church	Addressing the needs of people disaffiliating from the Church Not important	Addressing the needs of people disaffiliating from the Church Slightly important	Addressing the needs of people disaffiliating from the Church Moderately important	Addressing the needs of people disaffiliating from the Church Very important	Addressing the needs of people disaffiliating from the Church Extremely important
Adequate benefits (medical, retirement)	Adequate benefits (medical, retirement) Not important	Adequate benefits (medical, retirement) Slightly important	Adequate benefits (medical, retirement) Moderately important	Adequate benefits (medical, retirement) Very important	Adequate benefits (medical, retirement) Extremely important
An adequate salary for my work	An adequate salary for my work Not important	An adequate salary for my work Slightly important	An adequate salary for my work Moderately important	An adequate salary for my work Very important	An adequate salary for my work Extremely important
Authority to carry out my ministry	Authority to carry out my ministry Not important	Authority to carry out my ministry Slightly important	Authority to carry out my ministry Moderately important	Authority to carry out my ministry Very important	Authority to carry out my ministry Extremely important
Building trust with the people I serve	Building trust with the people I serve Not important	Building trust with the people I serve Slightly important	Building trust with the people I serve Moderately important	Building trust with the people I serve Very important	Building trust with the people I serve Extremely important
Clear ministry responsibilities	Clear ministry responsibilities Not important	Clear ministry responsibilities Slightly important	Clear ministry responsibilities Moderately important	Clear ministry responsibilities Very important	Clear ministry responsibilities Extremely important
Collaboration with my senior leader (pastor, director, et al.)	Collaboration with my senior leader (pastor, director, et al.) Not important	Collaboration with my senior leader (pastor, director, et al.) Slightly important	Collaboration with my senior leader (pastor, director, et al.) Moderately important	Collaboration with my senior leader (pastor, director, et al.) Very important	Collaboration with my senior leader (pastor, director, et al.) Extremely important
Declining diocesan and parish finances	Declining diocesan and parish finances Not important	Declining diocesan and parish finances Slightly important	Declining diocesan and parish finances Moderately important	Declining diocesan and parish finances Very important	Declining diocesan and parish finances Extremely important
Facing the challenges of being treated equally as a lay woman in Church work	Facing the challenges of being treated equally as a lay woman in Church work Not important	Facing the challenges of being treated equally as a lay woman in Church work Slightly important	Facing the challenges of being treated equally as a lay woman in Church work Moderately important	Facing the challenges of being treated equally as a lay woman in Church work Very important	Facing the challenges of being treated equally as a lay woman in Church work Extremely important
Having enough resources (finances, materials, facilities) for programs and projects	Having enough resources (finances, materials, facilities) for programs and projects Not important	Having enough resources (finances, materials, facilities) for programs and projects Slightly important	Having enough resources (finances, materials, facilities) for programs and projects Moderately important	Having enough resources (finances, materials, facilities) for programs and projects Very important	Having enough resources (finances, materials, facilities) for programs and projects Extremely important
Having enough volunteers for programs and projects	Having enough volunteers for programs and projects Not important	Having enough volunteers for programs and projects Slightly important	Having enough volunteers for programs and projects Moderately important	Having enough volunteers for programs and projects Very important	Having enough volunteers for programs and projects Extremely important
Having job security in the Church	Having job security in the Church Not important	Having job security in the Church Slightly important	Having job security in the Church Moderately important	Having job security in the Church Very important	Having job security in the Church Extremely important
Impact of diocesan and parish restructuring	Impact of diocesan and parish restructuring Not important	Impact of diocesan and parish restructuring Slightly important	Impact of diocesan and parish restructuring Moderately important	Impact of diocesan and parish restructuring Very important	Impact of diocesan and parish restructuring Extremely important
Impact of the pandemic on finances, staffing, volunteers, work load, etc.	Impact of the pandemic on finances, staffing, volunteers, work load, etc. Not important	Impact of the pandemic on finances, staffing, volunteers, work load, etc. Slightly important	Impact of the pandemic on finances, staffing, volunteers, work load, etc. Moderately important	Impact of the pandemic on finances, staffing, volunteers, work load, etc. Very important	Impact of the pandemic on finances, staffing, volunteers, work load, etc. Extremely important

Laity Working in the Catholic Church2025 National SurveyNational Association for Lay Ministry (NALM)

Question Title

* 1. What is your position/title/role in your ministry/service/work in the Catholic Church?

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* 2. How do you see yourself?

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* 3. What is your age category?

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* 4. What is your gender?

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* 5. What is your relationship status?

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* 6. In what state or U.S. territory do you live?

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* 7. Were you baptized Roman Catholic as a child?

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* 8. Were you raised Catholic?

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* 9. Were you baptized Roman Catholic as an adult or received into the Church as an adult.

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* 10. Which of the following best describes your racial or ethnic background?

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* 11. Which of the following primarily led you to enter Church ministry/service/work? Check no more than 4 that apply.

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* 12. How many years have you been engaged in church ministry/service/work (total)?

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* 13. How would you name your PRIMARY role in Church service (select one) and SECONDARY roles (select up to four)? [For Diocesan Ministry, please select Diocesan as Primary and then your specializations as Secondary.]

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* 14. How many years have you been serving in your PRIMARY role in your current setting (parish, diocese, campus, etc.)?

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* 15. Which of the following best describes your ministry/work/service today?

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* 16. What language(s) do you use in your ministry/work/service?

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* 17. How many hours, in a typical week, are you involved in ministry/service/work in your setting?

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* 18. Which of the following content areas are important for your ministry/service/work and how well prepared do you feel in each area? (Column 1 rates the importance from not important to very important. Column 2 rates how prepared you feel from not prepared to very prepared.)

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* 19. Which best describes your highest level of education?

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* 20. Please select the one major field of your highest degree.

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* 21. If you have a second degree, please select the field.

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* 22. Have you participated in a ministry formation program sponsored by any of the following organizations? Check all that apply.

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* 23. Do you have or are you in the process of completing any of the following? Check all that apply.

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* 24. Have you been publicly authorized for your role in any of the following ways?

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* 25. Do you have a written job description?

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* 26. Do you have a written job contract?

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* 27. Do you receive a formal performance evaluation at least every year?

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* 28. Do you feel free to discuss difficulties and differences of opinion with your supervisor?

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* 29. Are you given sufficient authority to carry out your responsibilities?

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* 30. For each of the following activities, please rate how IMPORTANT the activity is for you and how FREQUENTLY the activity is practiced.

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* 31. How well do the following words describe your ministry/service/work? Rate each one from 1 to 5 with 1=not at all and 5=a lot.

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* 32. For Full Time Ministers: What is your annual salary for this ministry/work?

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* 33. For Part Time Ministers: What is your annual salary for this ministry/work?

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* 34. For each type of employment compensation or benefit that you receive from your ministry/service/work (listed below), how satisfied are you?

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* 35. What has been your experience in Church ministry/service/work as a lay person?

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* 36. What are the most significant challenges you face in Church ministry/service/work today? Rate each item from Not Important to Extremely Important based on how important the challenge is for you today.

Laity Working in the Catholic Church
2025 National Survey
National Association for Lay Ministry (NALM)