Abstract: According to the teaching of Vatican II, especially Lumen gentium and Apostolicam actuositatem, all the faithful are invited to participate fully and actively in the life and mission of the Church. Since the close of the Council, especially since the promulgation of the 'Instruction on Certain Questions Regarding the Collaboration of the Non-Ordained Faithful in the Sacred Ministry of Priests,' the number of the ordained and non-ordained working together in pastoral ministry in parishes has increased dramatically. With this emergence of lay ministry in the Church, there arises the need for programs to train all those involved. This is particularly vital in Vietnamese (and other) communities where there is still a strong 'culture of respect' for persons in authority. This attitude causes many laypersons, including parish council members and leaders, to avoid questioning their pastors' decisions and directions or presenting their own ideas and initiatives. This training program was implemented with the parish pastoral council at one Vietnamese parish where this 'culture of respect' is prevalent. The program was intended to assist and encourage participants to take a fuller and more active part in the life and mission of the parish. The program was designed in consultation with the pastor of the parish and members of the parish council. The program consisted of five sessions of about two hours each for all nineteen participants and an interview of about one hour with each individual. The sessions were audiotaped (with permission of those participating). This project has assisted the participants in examining both the theology and practice of collaborative ministry within a parish council. It provided specific tools to facilitate their abilities in working together and to assist them in promoting collaborative leadership in their parish pastoral council by participating more actively in the life and mission of the parish. This project has also provided a possible model for similar workshops with other parish councils.