In Catholic high schools, the positions of campus minister and theology teacher have shifted from vowed religious and clergy to the laity. The job descriptions and expectations of these positions have not changed to reflect the realities of those who hold them. Based on my own experience and anecdotes of colleagues, I have noticed a consistent theme of long work hours, low salaries, and a lack of awareness of lay ministers' life demands. Using appreciative inquiry through ethnography and reflexivity, I explore the reality of six lay ministers in Catholic high schools. Placing my own experience in conversation with that of the six interviewees, I address the following questions: What are some of the ways that institutional power can be managed to achieve a just and humane treatment of lay ministers? How can clear boundaries and expectations that are appropriate for lay ministers be drawn? And how can the role of lay ministers in Catholic educational institutions be redefined in a sustainable way? I juxtapose the interviewees' experiences with a personal hermeneutical interpretation of different church documents. These documents are at the conciliar, congregational, and local levels of the Catholic church. Through my interpretation of these institutional church documents, I shed light on gaps between expectations and realities faced by some lay ministers in Catholic high schools. I concentrate on issues regarding professional development, unjust wages, unreasonable expectations, among others. This research is meant to inspire dialogue in Catholic institutions where similar issues might be present in the hopes of addressing them and finding solutions. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]