role of church in community + living practices

Question 1

rites of passage

Answer 1

a ceremony or ritual which marks a stage in someone’s religious journey

Question 2

Infant baptism

Answer 2

Roman catholic + church of england - water sprinkled over childs head
orthodox - immersed in water in the baptism bowl - represents leaving behind the life o f sin and entering a new christian life
bpatised the child in the name of the father the son and the holy spirit
use of water - cleansing of original sin and the beginning of a new life

roman catholics - then rub blessed oil ( chrism ) to symbolise the coming of the holy spirit which will beginw orking in the child’s life
priest may light a candle to represent moving from spiritual darkness to light
congregation welcomes child
infant baptism is seen to have an inward effect upon the child
parents take vows on behalf of the child which the child can then reaffirm at a confirmation later in their life

Question 3

confirmation

Answer 3

no age limit
roman catholics, orthodox, church of england and methodist
opportunity to confirm their own personal faith
take part in a series of classes to undrstand more about the fauth

at the service they will answer the same question that their parents did at the baptism
‘Do you turn to christ?’
‘Do you repent your sins?’

bishop places hand on candidate’s head and prays for god’s holy spirit in them
roman catholic - also put some chrism on their forehead, a symbol of richness from the holy spirit
confirmation fulfils promises once made by a candidates parents
once confirmed - they are consciously setting out to a live a Christian life

Question 4

dedication

Answer 4

Non conformist church like baptists DO NOT BELEIVE IN INFANT BAPTISM
Bible - adult baptism is a choice to demonstrated once indoctrination of faith

INSTEAD THEY HAVE A SERVICE OF DEDICATION FOR THEIR INFANT - gives thanks to god for baby
parents + congregatiuon make promises to commit to bring them up in a christian faith until the child is old enough to make their own declaration of faith
prayers - seeks god’s wisdom and guidance

Question 5

believer’s baptism

Answer 5

in baptist churches - a symbol of individual’s free choice to become a christian

adult asks god for forgivennes and publicly commits themselves tot he faith
may give a testimony about how they became a christian
believr stands waist deep in a pool of water - wears white to symbolise purity and forgiveness of sins from god
minister asks them to proclaim their repentance of sin and commitment to the faith
then minister sasys i baptise you in the name of the father and of the son and the holy spirit and lays the beliver fully back under water
this symbolises removal of sin
the believr being raised up again symbolises new life and new faith with the prescence of the holy spirit
water itself symbolsies the cleansing work of god

Question 6

Christian marriage cermonies

Answer 6

-start of ceremony, minister explains the purpose of marriage and explain that couple will come together in sexual unity and have children
( not just an act for them but also for god - a binding commitment to one another and god ) ( bigamy is illegal. Christianity teaches a monogamous relationship )

• couple exchange vows in front of god and congreation
  ‘In the prescence of god, i make this vow’
  vows include - encouragement to stick to commitment, reasurrance of commitment and guidance on how to relate to spouse

-Couple then exchange rings and minister asks god to bless the vows they have made - rings are a symbol of commitment - an outward sign to others that they are married and unavailable for a marital/sexual relationship with anyone else

prayers of guidance for the couple are said - encouraging their reliance on god
keeping god at the centre of their united lives
some churches have eucharist after marriage
couple given birth certificate

Question 7

Orthodox wedding services

Answer 7

-couple excahnge rings at engagement before wedding
THIS IS CALLED TEH BETROTHAL CEREMONY - MOST RITUALS REPEATED THREE TIMES TO REPRESENT THE TRINITY - rings placed on third finger, given candles in left hands to signify willingness to god

wedding services - silver crowns (STEFANAS) held over heads of bride and groom - crowns represent royalty of marriage
best man may also presetn them with two crows with white ribbon symbolising unity of marriage

three sips of wine from a shared cup - trinity and shared cups represents the unity and who they become one with god
also recalls when jesus turned water into wine at Cana

priest curcles alter three times and they follow - this represents the first steps taken as a united christian couple

Question 8

Orthodox wedding services

Answer 8

-couple excahnge rings at engagement before wedding
THIS IS CALLED TEH BETROTHAL CEREMONY - MOST RITUALS REPEATED THREE TIMES TO REPRESENT THE TRINITY - rings placed on third finger, given candles in left hands to signify willingness to god

wedding services - silver crowns (STEFANAS) held over heads of bride and groom - crowns represent royalty of marriage
best man may also presetn them with two crows with white ribbon symbolising unity of marriage

three sips of wine from a shared cup - trinity and shared cups represents the unity and who they become one with god
also recalls when jesus turned water into wine at Cana

priest curcles alter three times and they follow - this represents the first steps taken as a united christian couple

Question 9

funeral rites

Answer 9

marks the end of physical life but the hope of ongoing spiritual life

• an acknowledgement to person no longer living but in god’s care
• mourners benefit as they draw comfort from other mourners
• reassured that the dead person will live on with god
• an public expression of their love for the deceased
• marks beginning of new life

EPITAPH - gives honour to someone who has died and is usually inscribed on their tombstone

Question 10

Christian funeral service

Answer 10

bible reading - reading focuses on eternal life with god
eulogy - talk or speech reflecting on the person’s life. minister reminds congregation of eschatological beliefs
prayers - prayers said for friends and relatives of dead person
hymns - hymes are sung with the focus of afterlife or a favorutie song aof the dead person may be chosen by relatives or friends

Question 11

Requiem mass ( CATHOLIC CHURCH )

Answer 11

mass for the dead

begins with a liturgy that requests god to ‘GRANT THEM ETERNAL LIFE’

Question 12

Requiem mass (orthodoix and greeek orthodox)

Answer 12

fullest form of the memorial service

contains hymns readings and a liturgy - can lasy three hours

Question 13

church of england

Answer 13

no requiem mass but some high anglican services will inlcude a requiem mass as part of a funeral service

Question 14

burial/cremation

Answer 14

burial - futher prayers said alongside graveyard before final comittal statement by minister
commititng the dead person to god’s care - purpose of commital stateement

church of england commital statement - ‘we therefore commit his/her body tot he ground’

Question 15

how church comminities help families

Answer 15

Church services mark significant events
role of minister is beyond just providing a service - visiting sick people or offers counselling to couples experiancing marital difficulties

church communities - run volunteering services to help young mothers or elderly folk
church involved in local charities - providing respite care for caretakers

youth clubs - socialise
examples of agape in action

Question 16

what is a mission

Answer 16

explains their purpose and aims
many christians believe that it is their role to evangelise and spread the word of god, believing all religions to be wrong
many missinoariess - bring scientific knowledge and education to less developed people

Question 17

what is a mission

Answer 17

explains their purpose and aims
many christians believe that it is their role to evangelise and spread the word of god, believing all religions to be wrong
many missinoariess - bring scientific knowledge and education to less developed people

Question 18

WCC - WORD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

Answer 18

Organisation that includes ALL except the roman catholic church
1991 - ‘A RECONCILED AND RENEWED CREATION IS THE GOAL OF THE CHURCH’S MISSION’
This gives the church a two part aim
- conversion
-reconciliation - seeing Christian message in all aspects of society to bring dialogue and ecological sustainability

Question 19

what is Missio dei

Answer 19

it means god’s activity - involves both the church and the world

Question 20

mission of the church

Answer 20

dialogues with people from other religions
building new churches
examing each other’s faith secures peace
ACTION FOR JUSTICE - finds itself in conflict with government that do not treat people fairly

THEY DO THIS BECAUSE OF THE GREAT COMMISION JESUS GAVE TO HIS FLLOWERS BEFORE ASCNESION

‘GO INTO THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO ALL CREATION’
Many people believe that the holy spirit inspires them to do this

Question 21

importance of evangelism

Answer 21

evangekism is the act of sharing about jesus giving us the opportunity for salavation

SALVATION ARMY - it exists to ‘ SAVE SOULS, GROW SAINTS AND SERVE A SUFFERING HUMANITY’ - understanding of what it means to be a disciple in the modern world

makes jesus known through actions and messages -evangelism is at the centre of itss works

Question 22

different attitudes towards evangelism

Answer 22

However, others believe evangelism an intolerant approach that is in opposition to Christianity’s key messages.
instead missinaries are sent to put christianity into practise instead of preaching

Question 23

growth of new forms of church

Answer 23

community is athe heart of the church
Many Pentecostal Christians worship in modern churches more like concert venues than traditional churches.
-fellowship, sharing meals and acts of services are what make the church - because the people are the church, the body of christ, the must make his word have motion
leaders may not always be ordained clergy - instead they may just be faithful christians devoting themsleves to god wherever they are.

Question 24

where did NEW FORMS OF CHURCH EMERGE FROM ?

Answer 24

House church movement - 1960s
believes worshiped in homes, led by holy spirits and not controlled by formal liturgies
these grew but still retained the importance of small groups in others homes
these new churches are often charismatic in nature - members take part when they feel the spirit leads them to speak

Question 25

ecumenicalism

Answer 25

the idea of creating christian unity - seeks to reconcile christians from different denominations
recognises differences but seeks to bring everyone together

Question 26

ecumenicalism

Answer 26

the idea of creating christian unity - seeks to reconcile christians from different denominations
recognises differences but seeks to bring everyone together

Question 27

wcc - world council of churches

Answer 27

believe that jesus is their saviour and together they want to bring glory to his name
. The shared foundation ( orthodox and protestant ) enables them to work together, despite differences
aims to :
- seek visible unity between all church denominations - eucharistic fellowship
-promote comon witness ( share faith )
- engage in christian services by meeting human needs and breaking down barriers and seeking justice and peace - THIS UPHOLDS INTEGRITY OF CREATION

• aids, dood culture, sustainability

Question 28

what does church mean ?

Answer 28

church - EKKLESIA
ek means out and klesia means call
church = called out people

when jesus tells peter that he will ‘build his church’ - he is taking about a body of beleievrs
jesus builds his church through sacrificial deatha nd resurrection that creates a means of salvation

christians believer that the church are the bride of christ
all denominations form one body
jesus is the head and we are the body

Question 29

CHURCHES TOGETHER MOVEMENT

Answer 29

encourages churches to work together - strengthens relationship between different denominations

Question 30

ecumenical communities

Answer 30

TAIZE - france - 1940 to give refuge to jjews escaping nazi persecution - dialogue and friendhsip between protestants and roman catholics
IONA - scotland - works for peace and social justice and is non denominational
CORRYMEELA - Ireland - 1965 - to bring about good relationship between catholic and protestant christians - Irelands oldest peace and reconciliation organisation

Question 31

persecuted church

Answer 31

persecution - be subject of hostility and ill-treatment
christians - physical assault, beatings torture and rape

OPEN DOORS - organisation which helps people get access to bibles believe that 100 million christians face persecution today

christian often seek to evangelise and convert those from other religions - this causes offence and their ‘claim to the truth’ causes further conflict

despite persecution - many continue to live missionary driven lives
Encouraging christianity is BANNED IN ISRAEL

Question 32

persecuted church

Answer 32

persecution - be subject of hostility and ill-treatment
christians - physical assault, beatings torture and rape

OPEN DOORS - organisation which helps people get access to bibles believe that 100 million christians face persecution today

christian often seek to evangelise and convert those from other religions - this causes offence and their ‘claim to the truth’ causes further conflict

despite persecution - many continue to live missionary driven lives
Encouraging christianity is BANNED IN ISRAEL

Question 33

what is the BARNABUS FUND

Answer 33

seeks to help persecuted church

directs aid to persecuted christians in other countries

Fund publicises persecution through media - providing them woth a voice
public petitions, campaign letters and CONSTANT PRAYER

Question 34

WORK of christian aid agencies

Answer 34

‘love your neighbour as yourself’

jesus showed the extent of his love when he sacrificed his life

christian aid agencies continue to love others in this sacrificial way

Question 35

cafod

Answer 35

catholic agency which works in the developing world to bring hope to poor communities

Question 36

christian aid

Answer 36

works to get rid of poverty in 50 countries

Question 37

tearfund

Answer 37

similar aims to christian aid

being a christian is about belief and practise - they will be judged according to how they responded to suffering