THE CHURCH THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH DEFINED The

THE CHURCH THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY

CHURCH DEFINED… ® The word “church” originated with Greek term, ekklesia which means an assembly of those whom God has called forth to be his people and to do his will

MISSION OF CHURCH ® Matthew 28: 19 -20 Fourfold mission: 1. Share the Message 2. Live in Community 3. Serve Others 4. Worship the Lord

SIX MODELS OF THE CHURCH ® Developed by Fr. Avery Dulles ® Six models that help us to better understand the mystery of the Church…

MODEL 1: CHURCH AS INSTITUTION ® Church is organized in a hierarchy under guidance of the Holy Spirit. ® Ordained ministers, bishops and the Pope are to serve and lead the baptized. ® Highest ® The authority of Church is pope. Code of Canon Law contains the rules that guide all aspects of Church life.

MODEL 2: CHURCH AS MYSTICAL COMMUNION ® The Church members are bound together by its beliefs in Jesus and desire to God’s will. ® We are united especially in the Eucharist—we are nourished by the Body of Christ and become the Body of Christ—a mystical communion.

MODEL 3: CHURCH AS SACRAMENT ® Sacrament = outward sign of an inward grace. It is an encounter with Christ. ® Seven ® The sacraments of the Church is the sacrament of the Trinity’s communion with people.

MODEL 4: CHURCH AS HERALD ®A herald is a messenger sent to announce something. ® The Church is a herald—she is sent by Christ to announce the Good News of Jesus’s teachings. ® Matthew 28: 19 Jesus calls his disciples to “go … and make disciples of all nations. ” ® Jesus calls all his followers/disciples to preach the Good News.

MODEL 5: CHURCH AS SERVANT ® Jesus calls his followers to serve one another with love. ® The Church is especially called to serve the poor and vulnerable.

MODEL 6: CHURCH AS COMMUNITY OF DISCIPLES ® Community of believers, followers and disciples of Jesus Christ. ® Disciples of Jesus’s are called to follow him in all situations.