iv- models of the church

7/30/2019 IV- Models of the Church

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MODELS OF THECHURCH

HOW THEY HELP US BETTERUNDERSTAND HER DEEPER REALITIES


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by JP Balanquit


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Paradigms for understanding the natureof the Church.

Each model has: its own way of looking at the Church

values, commitments and priorities

facet of the mystery of the Church

Must be taken together, not individually

MODELS OF THECHURCH


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The Church as a VISIBLE, HEIRARCHICALSTRUCTURE, with a strong emphasis on the

authority and power of its officers.

1. Church as an INSTITUTION


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It is conceived not asa democratic or

representativesociety, but as one inwhich fullness of

power is entrustedto ordainedministers.

Hierarchical-StructuredSociety


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Hebrew 13:17 Obeyyour leaders andsubmit to them, for

they are keeping watchover your souls andwill give you anaccount. Let them do it

with joy and not withsighing- for that wouldbe harmful to you.

Hierarchical-StructuredSociety


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Jesus provides model of an authority. He

shares his authority with his disciples.

The structures of the Church must be

seen as subordinate to its communal lifeand mission.

AUTHORITY as SERVICE


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This model identifies the Church withthe Kingdom of God on earth

At the expense of theabiding need forrenewal and reformnot just of its

individual membersbut of the wholeChurch.

LIMITATION


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What is Jesus teaching on theKingdom of God?

A. The kingdom of Godis not just a place orarea

B. The Kingdom of God

is a relationship withGod.

C. The Kingdom ofGod brings justice,

love, peaceD. Those who embrace

Jesus embrace hisKingdom.


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The Kingdom of God

Jesus taught thatthe Kingdom of

God is near (tothose who desire it)

Jesus taught thateveryone is invited

to this kingdom oflove, justice andpeace.


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To enter the kingdomof God one must trulyseek it, words are not

enough, deeds arerequired.

Jesus gave the powerof his kingdom toPeter and his Churchon earth. Matthew16:19, 18:18.

The Kingdom of god


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Roots of Hierarchical Structuresand Patriarchal Order

1st Century-

patriarchalsystem.


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2nd and 3rd

Century-authority of

bishop andpresbyters.


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4th 11th

Century-authority becameconfused withpoliticalauthority.


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11th Century-

GregorianReform.


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16th 20th Century-Counter Reformation of

the Council of Trent;hierarchical authority ofthe Church, centralizedin Rome; Pope as the

Churchs universalbishop, the SovereignPontiff.


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Vatican II (1962-1965)

stresses the notion ofauthority as serviceand insists that it

must be exercisedalways in collegialmode.


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Laity shares in the

Churchs mission tothe world.


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2. Church as a Communion

A fellowship of menwith God and with

one another. Involves variety in

unity, the spirit of

collegiality andparticipation and co-responsibility.


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A. People of GodB. Body of Christ

C. Community ofDisciples

3 INTERPERSONAL MODELS OF THECHURCH AS A COMMUNION


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Focuses on the Church as a network ofINTERPERSONAL relationship.

PARCIPITORY COMMUNITY All membersare equal in basic dignity and in responsibilityfor mission and ministry.

Precedence to the ECCLESIAL COMMUNITY

All are brothers and sisters united into onebody of Christ.

PEOPLE OF GOD


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It is a Pauline concept.

He sees the Christiancommunity as the newPeople of God but

profoundly linked withthe Old Testament.

PEOPLE OF GOD


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THE PILGRIM PEOPLE MODELThe dominant model ofVatican II, gave a renewedsense in the Church of sacred

history: the gradualunfolding through historyof God's plan to unite allmen in Christ by means of asingle people.


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Communion of believerswho are united with Christand among themselves in

one body MYSTICALBODY.

ONE BODY wherein eachpart is necessary and neededby all other parts in order to

live.

BODY OF CHRIST


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Communion of believerswho are united with Christand among themselves in

one body MYSTICALBODY.

ONE BODY wherein eachpart is necessary and neededby all other parts in order to

live.

BODY OF CHRIST


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Disciples to whomJesus gave a share inhis teaching and

healing ministry.Thus, the

fundamental

challenge to beChurch is to becomedisciples of Jesus.

COMMUNITY OF DISCIPLES

A Y O E O


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Servant of theLord

She agreed to be theMother of God, shealso consented to

serve for theredemption ofmankind.

MARY, MODEL OFDISCIPLESHIP


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"The Church is in Christ asa sacrament or sign andinstrument of intimateunion with God and of theunity of all mankind. Vatican II

the Church as a sacramentof Christ brings about thecontinuation of Christ'sministry

3. Church as a SACRAMENT


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A congregation gatheredtogether by the Word andformed by the Word of God.

The mission of the Church isto proclaim that which isheard, believed and beencommissioned to proclaim

KERYGMATIC

4. Church as a PROPHET


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Urgency of making theChurch contribute to thetransformation of the

secular life and ofimpregnating humansociety with the valuesof the Kingdom of God.

Sense of SOLIDARITY

5. Church as a SERVANT


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As Christ came to serve, the Church must carry on hismission of service to the whole world.

The Church sees that it is called to make a positivecontribution to all persons whoever they are and whatever

their particular needs, after the example of Christ, who came

not to be served but to serve.


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Let us not be satisfiedwith just givingmoney. Money is not

enough, money can begot, but they needyour hearts to lovethem. So, spread yourlove everywhere yougo.

-Mother Teresa

CHURCH OF THE POOR

iv- models of the church

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