Models of the Church presentation_Working

Models of the Church by Avery Cardinal Dulles ID 500 Introduction to the Church and Its Ministry Dr. Patricia Gould-Champ :

Models of the Church by Avery Cardinal Dulles ID 500 Introduction to the Church and Its Ministry Dr. Patricia Gould-Champ Group One Cecil Diggs Shawn Hicks Pamela Cooper Ronal Whittingham Michelle Chapman-Campbell

Definitions:

Definitions Ecclesiology Etymology Catholicism Ecumenical Typology Kerygmatic Eschatology Maxim Tautology Inchoatively

The Church as Institution:

The Church as Institution What are the bonds of union? • The bonds are based upon the insistence on visibility of the Church as a single concrete historical society • Reference to institution is NOT based upon the institutional element of the Church, but based upon a system of stable organizational features • During the first session of Vatican II, the Church was characterized by three terms and are associated with ecclesiology: Clericalism; Juridiscism; and Triumphalism

The Church as Institution:

The Church as Institution Who are the beneficiaries? The Church as a community of life, witness, and service, a community that reconciles and unites men in the grace of Christ.

The Church as Institution:

The Church as Institution What is the goal or purpose of the church? The creation of a fruitful theology…"I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. (Matt. 16:18)

The Church as Mystical Communion:

The Church as Mystical Communion

The Church as Mystical Communion:

The Church as Mystical Communion Who are the beneficiaries? As in the first model, the members are the beneficiaries… the members are understood in a more spiritual sense, as those animated by supernatural faith and charity. The maxim “outside the Church no salvation,” which in the first model appeared as institutional triumphalism, becomes in this model almost a tautology. (pg. 50)

The Church as Mystical Communion:

The Church as Mystical Communion What is the goal or purpose of the church? The goal is a spiritual or supernatural one that encourages informal and interpersonal relationship with the divine The Church leads men to communion with the divine… wherever the Church is men are already united with God. (pg. 50)

The Church as Sacrament:

The Church as Sacrament

The Church as Sacrament:

The Church as Sacrament Who are the beneficiaries? The beneficiaries are the members that articulate and live their faith through active participation (witness, worship & service) Since sacramentality by its very nature calls for active participation, only those who belong to the Church, and actively help to constitute it as a sign, share fully in its reality as sacrament. The action by which they help the Church achieve itself as a visible, social embodiment of God’s grace in Christ are means by which their own spiritual life is sustained, intensified, and channeled in constructive ways. (pgs. 64 & 65)

The Church as Sacrament:

The Church as Sacrament What is the goal or purpose of the Church? The Church aims to purify and intensify men’s response to the grace of Christ. As believers succeed in finding appropriate external forms by which to express their commitment to God in Christ, they become living symbols of divine love and beacons of hope in the world. (p. 65)

The Church as Herald:

The Church as Herald What are the bonds of union? The bond is faith… faith is a response to the gospel and a proclamation of the Christ event… the gospel is considered an event not just abstract truths / a written document The church is complete in the organization of a single congregation The church exists where there is a community that believes in Christ and is not governed by any institutionalized structure “Where two are three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them” (Mt. 18:20)

The Church as Herald:

The Church as Herald Who are the beneficiaries? The beneficiaries are those that hear the word of God and believe that Christ is the risen Savior. Those that hear and believe will receive the salvation that God promises in Jesus.

The Church as Herald:

The Church as Herald What is the goal or purpose of the Church? The goal is to herald the message Evangelism is the missionary thrust The Church’s mission is to evangelize the nations in accordance with the great commission of Mt. 28:18-20 (pg. 76)

The Church as Servant:

The Church as Servant What are the bonds of union? The bonds of union-according to the secular ecclesiologists, are not so much the traditional bonds of doctrine and sacramental communion, but rather the sense of mutual brotherhood that springs up among those who join in Christian service toward the world.

The Church as Servant:

The Church as Servant Who are the beneficiaries? The beneficiaries of the church's action, in this type of ecclesiology, are not exclusively, or even primarily, the members of the church itself. Rather they are all those brothers and sisters the world over , who hear from the church a word of comfort or encouragement, or who obtain from the church a respectful hearing, or who receive from it some material help in their hour of need.

The Church as Servant:

The Church as Servant What is the goal or purpose of the Church? The purpose of the church or mission, in the perspectives of this theology, is not primarily to gain new recruits for its own ranks, but rather to be of help to all men, wherever they are. The special competence of the church is to keep alive the hope and aspiration of men for the Kingdom of God and its values. In light of this hope the church is able to discern the signs of the times and to offer guidance and prophetic criticism. In this way the church promotes the mutual reconciliation of men and initiates them in various ways into the Kingdom of God.

The Church and Eschatology:

The Church and Eschatology The term ekklesia is an eschatological term which means the assembly or convocation of the saints that will be realized to the full at the eschaton. Confessing in a creed, that Jesus will come to judge the living and the dead, this model of the church believes in the life of the world to come.

The True Church:

The True Church Although all Christians distinguish between the true church and its defective sociological realizations, there is no general agreement about what the true church is or how it is to be recognized. Most would admit that the four attributes signalized in the creed may be taken as criteria, but these four attributes are differently understood according to each of the five basic ecclesiological models. The most fundamental divergence is between the institutional model and the other four. The institutional model identifies the true Church undialectically with a given existing body, which is said to be "substantially" the church of Jesus Christ.

The Church and the Churches:

The Church and the Churches The Church as compared with “Churches” The term “The Church,” is used to identify the spiritual body of The Church of Christ, which is already one. “The Churches,” is identified as the numerous denominations, doctrines, and theology that exist in the world today. The Roman Catholic Church comes across as being the one and only true Church of Christ.

The Church and Churches:

The Church and Churches The Catholic Church as the “Church of Christ” As far as Avery Dulles is concerned, the answer is crystal clear. No single communion of churches has the right to see itself as the absolute model as what is ultimately perfect for all others to follow. “No one church can point to itself and say, ‘Look at me, I am the true Church’.” (144) Christians should work together. . . to relieve the afflictions of famine, natural disaster, illiteracy, poverty, lack of housing, and the unequal distribution of wealth. (145)

The Church and the Churches:

The Church and the Churches Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. If Martin Luther started a revolution in the sixteenth century that drove Catholics and Protestants apart, Martin Luther King, Jr., started a revolution in the twentieth century that is drawing them back together again.” (147) Churches should come together in unity. Christians should not limit their collaboration to their own fellow believers, but should seek in every possible way to join forces with men of conscience and of good will throughout the world. (147)

Ecclesiology and Ministry:

Ecclesiology and Ministry All Christian communities have office holders who exercise the ministry: Minister connotes one who officiates at the liturgical services or work and sacrament Clergy--a member of the clerical cases, set off against the laity by ordination Pastor--one who is for the sheep, one who governs the parish Presbyter or elder to designate a certain grade in the ecclesiastical establishment Priest--an individual set aside for cultic functions, especially prayer and sacrifice

Patterns of Ministry and the Models:

Patterns of Ministry and the Models Institutional - The Cleric , Priesthood (Pope and Bishops) – power with roles of teaching, sanctifying, and ruling at the top Communion – Priest from fostering fellowship to nurturing the constant growth of people of God

Patterns of Ministry and the Models:

Patterns of Ministry and the Models Sacramental – Priest as a sacred mediator- A ritual leader offering prayers and sacrifices to God and transmitting God’s gifts of grace and counsel Herald – Ordained minister , preacher Servant – Leader is called to serve

Five Models and Revelation:

Five Models and Revelation Institutional: Revelation is identified with grace and faith with the acceptance of grace. (p170) Mystical Communal: The Holy Spirit takes on a central role. Revelation is a means to the anticipation of the vision of God. A union between the human spirit and the divine.(p171) Sacrament: Bridges the gap. Revelation is an ineffable encounter, a pure experience of grace. (p.172)

Five Models and Revelation:

Five Models and Revelation Herald/Kerygmatic: Corresponds to the model of the Church as witnessing congregation. (p.174) Servant: Strong emphasis on the special character of Jesus of Nazareth and of the biblical message. Opposite of the Kerygmatic viewpoint. (p.177)

Seven Criteria to Evaluate the Models p. 183-184:

Seven Criteria to Evaluate the Models p. 183-184 1. Basis in Scripture Community and Kerygmatic models 2. Basis in Christian tradition Community model 3. Capacity to give Church members a sense of their corporal identity and mission Institutional and Kerygmatic models 4. Tendency to foster the virtue and values generally admired by Christians Sacrament and Servant models 5. Correspondence with the religious experience of men today Community and Servant models 6. Theological fruitfulness Sacramental model 7. Fruitfulness in enabling church members to related successfully to those outside their own group Community and Servant models

Limitations and Remedies of the Models (pp.186-187):

Limitations and Remedies of the Models (pp.186-187) Institutional become rigid, doctrinaire, and conformist; it could replace the Church of God as a form of idolatry. The remedy is The structure must be seen as subordinate to it communal life and mission. Mystical communion can arouse an unhealthy spirit of enthusiasm; could lead to false expectation and impossible demands. The remedy one must call for patience, faith, and a concern for the greater and more universal good.

Limitations and Remedies of the Models (pp.186-187):

Limitations and Remedies of the Models (pp.186-187) Sacramental could lead to a sterile aestheticism and to an almost narcissistic self-contemplation. As a remedy attention must be called to the values of structure, community, and mission brought in other models. (p.186)

Limitations and Remedies of the Models (pp.186-187):

Limitations and Remedies of the Models (pp.186-187) The Herald runs the risk of falling into the exaggerations of biblicist and fundamentalist sects. It tends to oversimplify the process of salvation, to advertise “cheap grace,” to be satisfied with words and professions rather than to insist on deeds, especially in the social and public arena. As a remedy, one must stress the necessity of incarnating one’s faith in life and action.

Limitations and Remedies of the Models (pp.186-187):

Limitations and Remedies of the Models (pp.186-187) Servant/diaconal easily give the impression that man’s final salvation is to be found within history, and could lure the Church into an uncritical acceptance of secular values, thus muting its witness to Christ and to it own heritage. As a remedy, one must insist on the provisional character of any good or evil experienced within history, and on the importance of looking always to Christ and his Kingdom

The Church: Community of Disciples (p.195-217):

The Church: Community of Disciples (p.195-217) Discipleship Model Roots are traced by to the early ministry of Jesus Christ Also referred to as “ the alternative society” with its own rules, and ay of life. It included select group members who accepted Jesus as teacher sent from God. Many leaders rejected his message.

The Church: Community of Disciples Chapter XIII (p.195-217):

The Church: Community of Disciples Chapter XIII (p.195-217) Community of Disciples is a variant of the communion model. It precludes the impression that the ecclesial communion exists merely for the sake of mutual gratification and support. It call attention to the ongoing relationship of the Church of Christ, Lord, who continues to direct it through the Spirit. The concept of discipleship builds bridges to the other four models. It illuminates the institutional and sacramental aspects of the Church and grounds the functions of evangelization and services that are central to the herald and servant models. (p.198)

The Church: Community of Disciples Chapter XIII (p.195-217):

The Church: Community of Disciples Chapter XIII (p.195-217) All Christians must be inwardly transformed by the knowledge and love that Christ brings into the world. All Christians are bound to activities that pertain to discipleships. Jesus shaped the community of the faithful by work and sacrament, with the first being activity.

The Church: Community of Disciples Chapter XIII (p.195-217):

The Church: Community of Disciples Chapter XIII (p.195-217) Baptism is the basic sacrament of initiation, in which a new relationship is established between the candidate and the Church Evangelism takes on special place in the discipleship. The external mission of the Church can never be separated from its inner life.

The Church: Community of Disciples Chapter XIII (p.195-217:

The Church: Community of Disciples Chapter XIII (p.195-217 Adequacy of the Discipleship Model The community has it origins in Christ, who instituted it in his earthly ministry and later energized it by the gift of his Spirit. The disciples visibly represent Christ, for the disciples as messengers. Jesus is present in the community of the disciples, as in a sacrament.

The Church: Community of Disciples Chapter XIII (p.195-217:

The Church: Community of Disciples Chapter XIII (p.195-217 Limitation and Weaknesses By depicting the Church as a contrast society, it tens to accentuate the features that set Christians apart form the fellow human beings in the world. It makes demands on the average Christian. It seems to imply that the Church is free association of individuals who which to volunteer with generous service.