1. Pascual
Session 5
Models of the Church

2. Goal for the day Why do we have the Five Models of the Church?
What are the Five Models of the Church? Strengths and Weaknesses of each?

3. Why Models?
Cardinal Avery Dulles wrote about the Church and developed five (later six) models to explain the role of the Church in the world today.
This method of using “models” was designed to capture the complexity of the Church.

4. An analogy of “models”
When you look at a statue, and stand at different points, you will always see a new perspective.
The 3-d statue is the church.
The different points are the “models”.

5. Models as perspectives
In a way, you can say that each model is a “perspective.”
When we understand the church, we are always using a “model.”
But what “model” are you using?

6. The Church: A Great Mystery and a Divine Gift
We can only begin to understand the Church as mystery through analogy—through models.
No  matter what model—or combination of models—we choose, our models will fall short.
©Shutterstock/Rafa Irusta

7. Five Models of the Church
The Five Models of the Church
Institution
Mystical Body / Communion
Herald
Servant
Sacrament

8. Institution
The Church is defined primarily in terms of its visible structures, especially the rights and powers of its hierarchy.
Church government is not democratic or representative, but hierarchical.
Popular in Catholic Theology after the Protestant Reformation
© MAX ROSSI/Reuters/Corbis

9. Leadership Is Hierarchical
This model maintains that the Church’s leader-ship structure is part of the original Deposit of Faith handed down by Christ’s disciples.
Therefore, the authority of the ruling class is understood as God-given, and should be accepted by the faithful unquestioningly.
(Notes: Emphasize that this hierarchy is based on Christ’s commissioning of the Apostles.)
Image in public domain

10. Need for Order
This model reflects a need for order, unity, and consistency of teaching.
“The true Church was a Perfect Society, visible, distinct from and superior to other societies, and lacking for its own completeness.”
Hence it looked more like the monarchies of France, England et al. (Theology has Sociology)
Didn’t need the world, ignored (if not condemn) the Enlightenment and the modern world.
Image in public domain

11. Institution
Members: All those who formally recognize themselves in relationship to an official Church community and Church teachings.
Signs and functions:
Popes, bishops, priests
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Canon Law
Magisterium
Diocesan directories

12. Strength in Unity
The strength of this model lies in its visible manifestation of unity.
Unlike any of the following models, all tests of membership are clearly visible.
This is the only model that must not be paramount. The institution must serve other ends besides its own preservation.
Meaning of third point: THIS SHOULD NOT BE THE FIRST AND FOREMOST MODEL. INSTITUTION is meant to serve the Kingdom of God.
©life.com

13. Mystical Body / Communion
The Church consists of people of faith who are united by their common participation in God’s Spirit through Christ.
It is a communion of people, expressed by external bonds of creed, worship, and ecclesiastical fellowship.
The symbol for this model is community.
Emphasis of the interior bond of communion
Pope Pius XII developed this idea in his 1943 encyclical on the mystical body, Mystici corporis
Model was utilized by Vatican II
Ministry’s purpose is to foster communion
Image in public domain

14. Strength through Sharing
The strength of this model lies in its emphasis on the shared life of mutual fellowship in loving community.
This model emphasizes sharing.
(Notes: Community life is vital for growth in the faith.)
Bostoncatholic.org

15. Mystical Body / Communion
Members: All who share in the body of Christ through the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Signs and functions:
Prayer groups
Parishes
Relationships

16. Sacrament
In this model the Church is a sacrament, a sign and transmitter of God’s grace in the world.
The Church as the sacrament of Christ and of the union of all humankind
“The visible sign of an invisible grace” in history
Harmonizes Institution and Communion Model
Used in Vatican II
Especially by Karl Rahner, Edward Schillebeeckx et al
Image in public domain

17. Visible Sign A sacrament is a “visible sign of an invisible grace.”
The Church truly transmits grace—the favorable presence of God.
(Notes: Ask the students to discuss the first bullet before you click for the second bullet.)
Image in public domain

18. Community
Sacraments are never merely individual transactions. Nobody baptizes, absolves, or anoints themselves, and the Eucharist is not to be celebrated in solitude.
Here, the order of grace corresponds to the order of nature. Man comes into the world as a member of a family, a race, a people.
Image in public domain

19. Church Is Sign and Instrument
The strength of this model is It combines the Mystical Communion and Institutional Models
It shows that the Church is truly a sign and an instrument of grace to its members and to the world.
Image in public domain

20. Grace
Members: All who share in the liturgical life of the Church, to be transformed by grace to be a sign of Christ in the world.
Signs and functions:
Liturgy
Light and salt for the world
Communal prayer
Source of grace

21. Herald
The herald model emphasizes faith and proclamation over interpersonal relations and mystical communion.
The Church is a herald—one who receives an official message with the commission to pass it on.
It is the task of the Church to proclaim.
Based on the preaching of the Word of God
Church as gathered in response to the Word
Sharp distinction between Church and the Kingdom
Church announces (heralds) the Kingdom
Sacraments are seen as “visible words”
At least in Lutheran theology
A typical Protestant Ecclesiology
Image in public domain

22. The Gospel Message
The strength of this model lies in its emphasis on the message of the Gospel.
Sometimes the spoken word eclipses the true Word of God, the Word Made Flesh.
We must not only proclaim and witness but also act.
Image in public domain
Firm support in prophetic tradition and in Paul
Supports a rich theology of the Word
Encourages the Church’s evangelical mission
Congregational approach risks making the local congregation self-sufficient
Risks reducing salvation to the individual
Exclusive Salvation for those who do not believe in Christ

23. Witness
Members: All those who give witness to their life in Christ and see the Word of God as key.
Signs and functions:
Bible studies
Evangelization
Missions
Media

24. Servant
The servant model shows that the Church is part of the total human family, sharing the same concerns as the rest of mankind.
An engaging Church of service in the world
Reflected by Vatican II’s Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World
The bond of communion and solidarity is experienced by the work of justice
Ministry seen as an agent of change and liberation
Image in public domain

25. Ministry of Jesus
This model is based on the ministry of Jesus, the Suffering Servant of God, who was a man who served others.
Just as Christ came into the world not to be served but to serve, so the Church, carrying on the mission of Christ, seeks to serve the world.
(Notes: Emphasize that we can serve on an individual basis, in our families and at school, or as part of the larger service of the Church.)
Image in public domain

26. Serving Others
The strength of this model lies in its emphasis on serving others, and not simply serving the Church’s self-interests.
Authentic service includes the ministry of the Word and Sacrament.
The concept of service must keep alive the distinctive mission and identity of the Church.
(Notes: Interpreted in the light of the Gospel, the Kingdom of God cannot be properly identified with abstract values such as peace, justice, reconciliation, and affluence. The New Testament personalizes the Kingdom. It identifies the Kingdom of God with the Gospel, and both of them with Jesus.)
© wpwittman.com

27. Serving as Christ Did
Members: All those who serve the needs of others as Christ did. “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).
Signs and functions:
Hospitals
Charities
Service organizations
Religious education classes
(Notes: Matthew, chapter 25)

28. Servant Name some of the servant groups of the Church:
Deacons and priests
Women religious
Saint Vincent de Paul Society
Campaign for Human Development
Catholic Relief Services
©crs.org
(Notes: Have the students name some groups before you click for the bullet list.)

29. No Model Is Complete
In the end, none of the models is sufficient to address the fullness of God’s call to the Church.
Each model truly highlights and underscores a vital aspect of the Church.
Institution
Mystical Body / Communion
Herald
Servant
Sacrament

30. Weaknesses of each Model
Institution: Can look like it is rigid and authoritarian
Mystical Communion: Lacks structure and organization
Herald: Risks reducing salvation to the individual; risks making local congregation self-sufficient; exclusive salvation
Servant: May threaten the distinctive mission of the Church and secularize its ecclesiology
Sacrament: Lack of response in Protestant thought, the most theoretical of the five models

31. Integrating the Models
Each model of Church offers helpful insights and positive contributions to understanding the role of the Church in the world.
If the best insights are preserved from each model and integrated into one, a stronger vision of the Church is achieved.
© jerusalemgiftshop.com

32. In other words
If you are only using one model, your 3-d model because a flat picture…
In the end, you have to do a “juggling act” with all of these models.

33. Which Model does the Catholic Church use or emphasize?
Let’s look at Vatican II documents on the Church
An ecumenical council, the highest authority of Church teaching
The world’s bishops gather to discuss and if necessary, formulate statements reflecting the faith of the Church
The First Council: Jerusalem (see Acts 15)

34. Lumen Gentium The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church
Literally “The Light of People”
This is the Ad Intra Document
Identified the Church as a “sign and instrument” of God’s communion with the whole human race (LG 1). Specifically, used the SACRAMENT MODEL of Church.
The people in relationship to this? They have an equal sharing in the Church’s nature and mission because of Baptism (LG 32)
The Laity have a major role to play in this. They are not to be passive “agents”, but an active presence in the church, and AS CHURCH IN THE WORLD. The role of the priest? He shouldn’t be a monarch, a king, or a higher spiritual person. Merely, a guide to the lay people, like a shepherd, empowering the lay people to become church in the world: a visible sign of grace: SACRAMENT.

35. Gaudium Et Spes
The Pastoral Constitution of the church in the Modern World
Literally “The Joys and Hopes”
Identified the Church as a modern institution in the world, but not of the world.
Pre-Vatican understanding is a Church as “perfect society” separated/isolated from the world. Strict Institution Model.
Post-Vatican understanding is a Church as “sacrament” that has a voice in modern issues. Sacrament Model.
Says the Church is to “Read the Signs of the Times” and Inculturate the Gospel (GS 4, 31)
Because the Lay people are BAPTIZED, we all share in the mission of Jesus.
The Church says “READ THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES”, means discerning how to best bring Gospel message to others in our time today. Discern means to reflect and make a decision out of careful thought, for Catholics, its both thought and prayer.
This means the Church sees itself having a role in political issues, to stand up for people who don’t have a voice. The poor, the marginalized, the helpless, those that cannot speak for themselves or act for themselves, the Church is there.
This means the Lay, in whatever job they are doing, are to always preach the Gospel, not just in words but in actions.

36. Conclusion
A closer investigation of the Vatican II documents suggest a change of the Catholic Church’s understanding of itself:
The Church is not a perfect “institution” separated from the world.
Rather, it is a Sacrament in this world, but NOT of it.
Implications? An individual explicitly (or implicitly) baptized into this Church (or community) is called to be a Sacrament in the world as well.
As model of Church, the Catholic church takes the SACRAMENT model as priority, even interpreting the other models through it.
For the Catholic Church, the Sacrament Model of Church seems to take precedence. All other models are used in conjunction with this model.
Eg. Heirarchy is not just an institution, it’s a visible sign of an invisible grace: communion.
Eg. Mystical Communion is impossible by itself because a visible sign is necessary to express the invisible.
Eg. Herald is not just preaching, but being a visible sign of an invisible grace: the Good News (evangelion)
Eg. True Service is being Christ in the world, being a visible sign of God’s invisible love.

37. Socrative and break
5 min

38. Defining SACRAMENT
Pascual
Session 5.2

39. Goals
What is the relationship of Jesus Christ, the Church and the Seven Sacraments?
Gameplan:
Define the word sacrament in its original historical context and development
Note the difference between sacrament vs SACRAMENT (or lower case vs. upper case)
Explore why Jesus Christ and the Church are true sacraments
Correlate the 7 ritual SACRAMENTS with Jesus and Church as sacraments

40. Reviewing the basics… Mystery
In ancient antiquity, the Greek term mysterion (mystery) described an experience of the divine or God’s activity in human affairs. This was seen as God’s revelation.
Religious symbols, intended to reflect a deeper meaning beyond the physical, were truly “mysteries” because they were “visible signs of an invisible truth.”

41. Reviewing the basics… Mystery to Sacramentum
In Roman antiquity, there was no word that can translate “mystery.” Instead, the word “SACRAMENTUM” was used instead.
In its original and secular context, the use of the word “sacrament” referred to soldiers making an oath/pledge of allegiance to the empire.
The seriousness of this concept is underscored by the fact that if a soldier failed to live their duty, it may lead to the death of other soldiers.

42. Back to the basics… Sacrament in the church
In the early Church, the threat of persecution made the reality of “sacrament” much more urgent.
Hence, the “sacrament” demonstrated the risk that everyone in the Church faced when admitting a new member.

43. Back to the basics… St. Augustine…
St. Augustine of Hippo (ca 300s) famously defines the word sacrament as “a visible sign of an invisible grace.”
In this context, the word sacrament was open-ended, flexible and imprecise
because it can also refer to any object, any person, and anything which brought an individual into contact with God’s loving plan and activity revealed in Christ: our salvation.

44. Back to the basics from sacrament (lower) to sacrament (upper)
In time, the Church community would have come to recognize seven special ritual practices that convey the mystery of God’s communicating love to humankind.
These seven rituals are seen as “the privileged encounter with God’s salvation, the Paschal Mystery of Christ.”

45. Back to the Basics… The Seven Sacraments
Or as the Catholic Church today defines: “efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us.” (CCC 1131)
These seven ritual practices have become known in the Catholic Church as the Seven Sacraments.
Note, the Greek Orthodox still calls them the Seven Mysteries.

46. John 14:6
6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

47. “Above all, Christ is the full visible sign and symbol of God within history that points to the real but invisible grace of God.” -- Avery Dulles, S.J.

48. The Primordial Sacrament
Correlating our understanding of the word “sacrament”,
it follows that Christ can properly be known as the “primordial Sacrament,”
being the unique utterance of God’s word in the one history of humankind.
Primordial means “existing from the beginning”
--Karl Rahner, The Church and the Sacraments (New York, NY: Herder, 1963), 18.
Primal = first, original

49. REPEAT
Jesus Christ is properly the “Primordial”Sacrament, being the unique utterance of God’s word in the one history of humankind.
--cf. Rahner
Jesus said to him, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”—John 14:6
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” –John 1:1

50. The Church?
The Church manifests itself as the “Body of Christ,” the incarnation of Christ today.

51. By its very nature, the Church operates as the enduring presence of Christ in the world; providing for it salvation as a people of God.

52. The Fundamental Sacrament
Because the person of Jesus Christ is the primordial sacrament, the Church is in the strictest sense the fundamental sacrament.
In other words, the Church perpetuates the ministry and presence of Jesus Christ in the world today, acting as a “visible sign of an invisible grace.”
Fundamental: primary source

53. And the individual?
While salvation is offered to the individual, it follows that one comes to Christ through the Church.
Makes sense if you consider Jesus Christ’s sociological context…understanding of Jewish salvation 2000 years ago is as a “People of God”, not as individual.
“We are saved”, NOT “I am saved.”

54. Remember: We, not me.
The Seven (ritual) Sacraments are never individual transactions.
They are acts of the Church (Liturgy)
Liturgy means “work of the people”
Theologically, the Liturgy is the “Participation of the Church in God’s work of Salvation”

55. Technically speaking…
All Seven Sacraments are Liturgies…
Because they are “the work of the people (Church)”

56. HENCE
The Church, by celebrating its (Seven) Sacraments, becomes truly a sign of sanctification and fulfills its nature as the incarnation of Christ today.
All the Sacraments are essentially (and truly) the sacraments of the Church.

57. The Seven Sacraments Baptism/Confirmation Eucharist
Initiation into Jesus’ Table Fellowship
Eucharist
A foretaste (and renewal) of the Reign of God
Reconciliation/ Anointing of Sick
The Healing touch of Christ
Matrimony/Holy Orders
The Vocation of Discipleship in Christ

58. How God acts in our salvation Leads us to
Our understanding of God’s inner relationship
Father
Father
Son
Son
Spirit
Spirit
CREATION
SALVATION
World

59. God acts, we respond By inviting us He speaks His Word
He empowers us in His Word
He offers His Word
We are disMISSed
We assemble
We listen
We pray
We receive Christ
We go “in peace to love and serve the Lord.”

60. Conclusion Jesus Christ is a primordial (original) sacrament of God
The Church is a fundamental sacrament of God
It is by the seven (ritual) Sacraments that the Church becomes its nature,
“the primordial and fundamental sacrament,” actualizing the grace- effect of Christ’s mission for the individual.