THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY THE CHURCH THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY

SOURCES Sacred Scripture 2nd 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 Message 2. 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 “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 CHURCH Developed by Fr. Avery Dulles Six 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 ANOTHER CELEBRATING THE EUCHARIST TOGETHER

CHURCH AS INSTITUTION STRUCTURED ORGANIZATION HIERARCHY OF POPE AND BISHOPS EMPHASIZES AUTHORITY OF CHURCH LEADERS TEACHING OFFICE OF THE CHURCH- ROLE OF MAGISTERIUM

CHURCH AS SACRAMENT A 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 ONE HOLY CATHOLIC APOSTOLIC

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 Spirit Possesses the life of grace Christ gave her all the means necessary to sanctify

CATHOLIC CHURCH She is universal because Christ is present in her in the fullness of His body Her mission is to the whole human race

APOSTOLIC CHURCH Founded by Apostles She 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 GOD HAS, THE CHURCH DOES NOT HAVE. MANY WHOM THE CHURCH HAS, GOD DOES NOT HAVE.” -St. Augustine