3-Models of the church.pptx

powerpoint

1. Models of the church NDCFC

2. Some Questions to Consider What is a church? Where is the church? who is the church? Why is there a church? how to be a church?

3. What is the Church? A “mystery”  Cardinal Avery Dulles developed a way of answering this question using models

4. 1. The Church as Institution This model of Church emphasizes the structure and order of the Church.  Jesus says to Peter, “You are ‘Rock’, and on this rock I will build my Church.” Strength: easy to control Weakness: legalism – over emphasis of the law

5. 2. The church as communion emphasizes the community nature of the Church; Church as body of Christ Parish as family believers being of one mind and heart, and sharing possessions in common; and sharing possessions in common.

6. The church as communion … Strength: sense of belonging, warm and welcoming Weakness: overemphasis of community can be stifling; Conflicts can be avoided in the name of belonging

7. 3.The Church as Sacrament a visible sign of the presence of Christ in the world Strength : clear connection with a “Catholic way of seeing the world” sacramentally in signs and symbols Weakness : requires a high level of catechesis and theological education; Not always readily clear

8. 4. The Church as Herald Church is primarily the messenger of the Gospel; the voice, the announcer of the Kingdom of God. Strength : well-formed AND PASSIONATE MINISTER OF the word of god Weakness : cerebral understanding of faith

9. 5. The Church as Servant primary commitment to the creation of social justice , which is at the heart of the gospel mission. Strength : Faith that does justice, mercy, compassion Weakness : Activity-oriented, loss of prophetic dynamism

10. 6. The Church as Community of Disciples A community of disciples following jesus , taking jesus seriously Strength : sense of connection with jesus and god’s mission Weakness : can be too parochial, lacking universal sense of community

11. EXERcises : Gapoc GenSan Banisilan + Dulawan Kidapawan Matamis + Trento What are the major concerns of your Church? Who is/are making decisions? What is the role of the Laity in the Church? What is the dominant model?