MODELS OF THE CHURCH Flashcards
5 Models
Institution
Mystical Body / Communion
Herald
Servant
Sacrament
God’s presence is made visible through the
Church
The Church is defined primarily in terms of its visible structures, especially the rights and powers of its hierarchy.
Church as an INSTITUTION
Church government is not democratic or representative, but ______________.
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.
Church as an INSTITUTION
The Church consists of people of faith who are united by their common participation in God’s Spirit through Christ
Church as MYSTICAL BODY/ COMMUNION
The strength of this model lies in its emphasis on the shared life of mutual fellowship in loving community.
This model emphasizes sharing.
Church as MYSTICAL BODY/ COMMUNION
refers to people with a common interest and bond of faith and love through which they individually and collectively strive for salvation.
community
model emphasizes faith and proclamation over interpersonal relations and mystical communion.
Church as HERALD
one who receives an official message with the commission to pass it on.
It is the task of the Church to proclaim.
Church as HERALD
The strength of this model lies in its emphasis on the message of the Gospel.
Church as HERALD
In this model, the Church is a sacrament, a sign and transmitter of God’s grace in the world.
Church as SACRAMENT
Sacraments are never merely individual transactions.
TRUE
The strength of this model is that the Church is truly a sign and an instrument of grace to its members and to the world.
Church as SACRAMENT
shows that the Church is part of the total human family, sharing the same concerns as the rest of mankind.
Church as SERVANT
