1. THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY
THE CHURCH
THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY

2. SOURCES Sacred Scripture 2nd Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium
Catechism of the Catholic Church

3. 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…

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. “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

8. “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

9. “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

10. “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

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

12. 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

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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. FOUR MARKS OF THE CHURCH
ONE
HOLY
CATHOLIC
APOSTOLIC

18. 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

19. HOLY CHURCH Called to holiness Imbued with the Spirit
Possesses the life of grace
Christ gave her all the means necessary to sanctify

20. 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

21. APOSTOLIC CHURCH Founded by Apostles
She remains faithful to the teaching of Apostles
Called to continue the ministry and service.

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. “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