THE CHURCH

THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY

SOURCESSacred Scripture2nd Vatican

Council, Lumen Gentium

Catechism of the Catholic Church 748-870

MEANING OF CHURCH Refers to the people

whom God calls and gathers together

They form the assembly of those who through faith and Baptism have become children of God, members of Christ, and temples of the Holy Spirit…

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 Message2. Live in Community 3. Serve Others 4. Worship the Lord

BIBLICAL IMAGES “I am the true vine

and my Father is the gardener. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:1, 5

“I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me in the same way that the Father knows me and I know the Father. For these sheep I will give my life.” John 10:14-15

“You form a building which rises on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” Ephesians 2:20

“Now you, my brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. Therefore, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.” Galatians 4:28, 31

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the Church…This is a profound mystery – but I am talking about Christ and the Church.” Ephesians 5:25, 32

MODELS OF THE CHURCHDeveloped by Fr. Avery DullesSix models that help us to better

understand the mystery of the Church…

CHURCH AS BODY OF CHRIST/PEOPLE OF GOD

COMMUNITY OF BAPTIZED BELIEVERS

PROFESSING THE SAME CHRISTIAN FAITH

CARING FOR ONE ANOTHERCELEBRATING THE EUCHARIST

TOGETHER

CHURCH AS INSTITUTIONSTRUCTURED ORGANIZATIONHIERARCHY OF POPE AND BISHOPSEMPHASIZES AUTHORITY OF

CHURCH LEADERSTEACHING OFFICE OF THE CHURCH-

ROLE OF MAGISTERIUM

CHURCH AS SACRAMENTA SACRAMENT IS A VISIBLE SIGN,

INSTITUTED BY CHRIST, ENTRUSTED TO THE CHURCH, THAT GIVES GRACE

THE CHURCH IS THE VISIBLE, TANGIBLE SIGN OF GOD’S LOVE AND PRESENCE IN THE WORLD

CHURCH AS HERALD OF GOD’S WORD

A HERALD IS AN OFFICIAL MESSENGER, REPRESENTATIVE, AMBASSADOR

THE CHURCH IS THE HERALD OF JESUS CHRIST

CHURCH ACTS AS HERALD THROUGH COMMUNAL PRAYER, PROCLAIMING THE SCRIPTURES, LITURGY, AND MISSIONARY WORK

CHURCH AS COMMUNITY OF DISCIPLES

CALLED TO LIVE OUT IN COMMUNITY THE CHALLENGE OF DISCIPLESHIP

ALL BAPTIZED CHRISTIANS EQUALITY BASED ON BAPTISM CALLED TO GROWTH IN CHRIST DIFFERENTIATION OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS

FOUR MARKS OF THE CHURCH

ONEHOLYCATHOLICAPOSTOLIC

ONE CHURCH “One Lord, one

faith, one baptism…” Eph 4:5

Profession of one faith received from the Apostles

Common celebration of divine worship- especially the sacraments

Apostolic succession

HOLY CHURCH Called to holiness Imbued with the

SpiritPossesses the life

of grace Christ gave her all

the means necessary to sanctify

CATHOLIC CHURCHShe is universal

because Christ is present in her in the fullness of His body

Her mission is to the whole human race

APOSTOLIC CHURCHFounded by

ApostlesShe remains

faithful to the teaching of Apostles

Called to continue the ministry and service.

MEMBERSHIP All are called to unity of the People of

God. Fully incorporated members of the Church

are those who accept all the means of salvation given to the Church, together with her entire organization.

Other Christians do not profess the entirety of the Catholic faith or have not preserved communion with Rome.

OTHER RELIGIONS ?Jewish people: “The first to hear the

Word of God.”

Muslims: profess the faith of Abraham.

Other non-Christians: also search for God.

“MANY WHOM GOD HAS, THE CHURCH

DOES NOT HAVE.MANY WHOM THE

CHURCH HAS, GOD DOES NOT HAVE.” -St.

Augustine