The Next Generation of Pastoral Leaders: What the Church Needs to Know »

Based on a survey conducted by the renowned late sociologist Dr. Dean R. Hoge, The Next Generation of Pastoral Leaders provides a unique glimpse into the thinking and attitudes of young Catholic adults as it relates to pastoral ministry. The findings contained in this book are essential for anyone in Catholic ministry to understand if the Church is to successfully develop both lay and ordained pastoral leaders for the future, and, more immediately, if the Church is to involve young people in parish life and campus ministry today.

Looking closely at what hundreds of young Catholics think about the faith, what they like and don't like about the Church, and other key issues on their minds today, The Next Generation of Pastoral Leaders should prove instrumental in guiding pastors and pastoral planners, vocation directors and ministry program directors, to a new way of visioning and developing strong future leaders in the Catholic Church.

Preface ix

Introduction xiii

1 State of the Church in the Twenty-first Century 1

2 Interest in Lay Ecclesial Ministry 11

3 Interest in Ministry as a Priest, Brother, Sister, or Deacon 43

4 The Future of Priests and Lay Ministers 75

5 Experiences of Young Lay Ministers 89

6 Recommendations: The Future of the Catholic Church 117

Commentary Edward P. Hahnenberg 147

Commentary Rachel Hart Winter 159

Commentary Paul E.Jarzembowski 167

Appendix Research Methods 175

References 183

About the Project 185

About the Authors 187