1. Six ways of seeing church

2. Avery dulles
son of Secretary of State John Foster Dulles (whom the Dulles airport is named after)
Jesuit priest, theologian
Cardinal of Roman Catholic Church
6 models of Church

3. ways of seeing the church
6 models of the Church.
By model, we mean there are 6 ways that we experience, or understand the Church.
The Church is a mystery. It cannot be fully analyzed or explained.
Analogy
No one model can give us a complete understanding, but each adds to our understanding

4. Brainstorm In what ways or images do you see the Church?
What have you heard the Church referred to as, or compared to?

5. The six models The Church as Body of Christ or People of God
The Church as Institution
The Church as Sacrament
The Church as Herald of God’s Word
The Church as Servant
The Church as Community of Disciples

6. 2. the church as institution
Clerics (Pope, bishops, priests, deacons) responsible of the laity for teaching, sanctifying, and ruling.
We are organized through formal structures

7. 2. church as institution
Not just a building
Institution- the organized patterns, rules, and social structures that help a group keep order
Most familiar model- The Church as hierarchy is only one dimension
this dimension of the Church is the human way of ensuring that the Church will be maintained and its mission will continue
Matt 16:18 “You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church.”

8. The church hierarchy Pope Benedict XVI Cardinals Archbishops Bishops
Head of the Catholic Church
Cardinals
Cardinal DiNardo--Houston
Archbishops
Some Archbishops are Cardinals, but not all Cardinals are Archbishops
Bishops
Bishop Loverde--Arlington
3rd degree of Holy Orders
Priests
received 2 degrees of Holy Orders
Monsignors
Priests, but have a certain amount of authority & seniority
Deacons
Can be married BEFORE being ordained a Deacon, 1st degree

9. 1. The church as body of christ or people of god
often referred to as the Body of Christ
Body of Jesus on earth.
A worshipping community of believers who by their faith become a sign and instrument of the union of God and man.

10. 1. Body of Christ We are related to one another as a family.
“We are many parts, we are all one body. And the gifts we have, we are given to share”
St. Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians- all members, each with a different function, are important to the Body of Christ
People of God-a name for the church community that expresses a similar reality as Body of Christ
recalls the identity of the Israelites as the Chosen People of God and that Jesus calls all people to God’s love, thus those who believe become members of God’s own family

11. 4.Church as herald of God’s word
We proclaim the Good News
The Church is the Herald of Jesus Christ.
It is the official messenger to proclaim the Word of God to all people.

12. 4. Herald
Belief in Jesus and his message comes through hearing the word of God preached.
“Where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” Matt 18:20
A faithful people who hear the word of God and keep it by putting their faith in Jesus and proclaiming it in their lives--to hear the Good News and pass it on
Mass, publications, programs, tv/radio, missionaries, actions of Christians

13. 5. Church as servant
We are at the service of God and therefore of all humankind.
servants who give themselves and make sacrifices for others
when we serve others with compassion we serve God

14. 5. Servant
Servant- to offer itself to humankind directly and compassionately out of love for God.
a redeemed people who have the mandate to establish in this world Christ’s kingship of peace, justice, love, and reconciliation
look at our own abilities and talents
follow the command to love to correct human sinfulness

15. 3. The church as sacrament
We are a visible, tangible sign of God’s love.
Sacrament- a physical sign of God’s saving love
Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Holy Orders, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick

16. Church as sacrament
Through the physical sign we are reminded that God’s saving power is present
Vatican II --the church “is a kind of sacrament or sign of intimate union with God, and of the unity of all mankind”
Church is to be a sign of God’s grace in a world needful of redemption. Church called to be saintly while clearly not yet there fully.
Jesus as Christ is the sacrament of God. The Church is the sacrament of Christ.
Seven sacraments flow from this identity.

17. 6. the church as community of disciples
We are followers of Jesus.
follow Jesus, not society
live out the Kingdom of God here on earth

18. 6. community of disciples
Community of Disciples- a people whose lifestyle stands in contrast with the rest of society
Living a life that is not easy, but is fulfilling
may be the most challenging dimension of being church.