A Study of Parish Lay Ministers, Philip J. Murnion and David DeLambo, National Pastoral Life Center, New York, NY, 1999.
Parishioners continue to exercise considerable leadership in the ministries of parishes.
In 1997, the average number of volunteer hours by those who have leadership responsibilities was 810 per month, the equivalent of five full-time parish ministers. Religious sisters and brothers, because they have not received the sacrament of Holy Orders, are usually considered lay ministers. Deacons receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders and are not, therefore, considered lay ministers. This was about the same response as in 1992. However, over a quarter of all the parish ministers and a third of those who find their salaries inadequate, think that the parish can't afford an adequate salary.