Any Christian exercising a ministry is a minister. Since all the baptised are called to be priest, prophet and king, whenever they engage in their vocation to evangelize the world and to help those in need, they are ministers.

In addition, the Church calls people to the responsible stewardship of their time and talent in support of the Church. This often takes the form of volunteering for a specific lay ministry, most of which are liturgical, catechetical, or involved in pastoral care and social justice.

Liturgical lay ministries include lectors (Ministers of the Word) who proclaim scriptural passages during the liturgical celebrations, altar servers or acolytes who assist the presider at the altar, cantors and music ministers who lead the singing, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion who serve during Mass and/or who take Holy Communion to the sick and homebound, Directors of worship who coordinate the various liturgical ministers and ushers or ministers of hospitality who direct the seating and procession of the assembly.

Catechetical lay ministries include catechists (Parish School of Religion teachers and leaders of youth and adult formation groups), Adult initiation team (ministers who lead RCIA catechumens and candidates), and anyone else who directs religious education.

Other lay ministries include those who work with charitable activities, pastoral care and outreach, or advocacy for social justice