MODELS OF THE CHURCH

HOW THEY HELP US BETTER UNDERSTAND HER DEEPER REALITIES

by JP Balanquit

MODELS OF THE CHURCH

Paradigms for understanding the nature of 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

1. Church as an INSTITUTION

The Church as a VISIBLE, HEIRARCHICAL STRUCTURE, with a strong emphasis on the authority and power of its officers.

Hierarchical-Structured Society

It is conceived not as a democratic or representative society, but as one in which fullness of power is entrusted to ordained ministers.

Hierarchical-Structured Society

Hebrew 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls and will give you an account. Let them do it with joy and not with sighing- for that would be harmful to you.

AUTHORITY as SERVICE

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 life and mission.

LIMITATION

This model identifies the Church with the Kingdom of God on earth
At the expense of the abiding need for renewal and reform not just of its individual members but of the whole Church.

What is Jesus teaching on the Kingdom of God?

A. The kingdom of God is not just a place or area B. The Kingdom of God is a relationship with God. C. The Kingdom of God brings justice, love, peace D. Those who embrace Jesus embrace his Kingdom.

The Kingdom of God

Jesus taught that the Kingdom of God is near (to those who desire it) Jesus taught that everyone is invited to this kingdom of love, justice and peace.

The Kingdom of god

To enter the kingdom of God one must truly seek it, words are not enough, deeds are required. Jesus gave the power of his kingdom to Peter and his Church on earth. Matthew 16:19, 18:18.

Roots of Hierarchical Structures and Patriarchal Order

1st Century-

patriarchal system.

Roots of Hierarchical Structures and Patriarchal Order

2nd and 3rd

Centuryauthority of bishop and presbyters.

Roots of Hierarchical Structures and Patriarchal Order

4th 11th

Centuryauthority became confused with political authority.

Roots of Hierarchical Structures and Patriarchal Order

11th Century-

Gregorian Reform.

Roots of Hierarchical Structures and Patriarchal Order

16th 20th Century-

Counter Reformation of the Council of Trent; hierarchical authority of the Church, centralized in Rome; Pope as the Churchs universal bishop, the Sovereign Pontiff.

Roots of Hierarchical Structures and Patriarchal Order

Vatican II (1962-1965)

stresses the notion of authority as service and insists that it must be exercised always in collegial mode.

Roots of Hierarchical Structures and Patriarchal Order

Laity shares in the

Churchs mission to the world.

2. Church as a Communion
A fellowship of men

with God and with one another. Involves variety in unity, the spirit of collegiality and participation and coresponsibility.

3 INTERPERSONAL MODELS OF THE CHURCH AS A COMMUNION

A. B. C.

People of God Body of Christ Community of Disciples

PEOPLE OF GOD
Focuses on the Church as a network of INTERPERSONAL relationship. PARCIPITORY COMMUNITY All members are equal in basic dignity and in responsibility for mission and ministry. Precedence to the ECCLESIAL COMMUNITY All are brothers and sisters united into one body of Christ.

PEOPLE OF GOD

It is a Pauline concept.
He sees the Christian community as the new People of God but profoundly linked with the Old Testament.

THE PILGRIM PEOPLE MODEL

The dominant model of Vatican II, gave a renewed sense in the Church of sacred history: the gradual unfolding through history of God's plan to unite all men in Christ by means of a single people.

BODY OF CHRIST

Communion of believers who are united with Christ and among themselves in one body MYSTICAL BODY.

ONE BODY wherein each part is necessary and needed by all other parts in order to live.

BODY OF CHRIST

Communion of believers who are united with Christ and among themselves in one body MYSTICAL BODY.

ONE BODY wherein each part is necessary and needed by all other parts in order to live.

COMMUNITY OF DISCIPLES
Disciples to whom Jesus gave a share in his teaching and healing ministry. Thus, the fundamental challenge to be Church is to become disciples of Jesus.

MARY, MODEL OF DISCIPLESHIP

Servant of the Lord She agreed to be the Mother of God, she also consented to serve for the redemption of mankind.

3. Church as a SACRAMENT

"The Church is in Christ as a sacrament or sign and instrument of intimate union with God and of the unity of all mankind. Vatican II the Church as a sacrament of Christ brings about the continuation of Christ's ministry

4. Church as a PROPHET

A congregation gathered together by the Word and formed by the Word of God.

The mission of the Church is to proclaim that which is heard, believed and been commissioned to proclaim
KERYGMATIC

5. Church as a SERVANT

Urgency of making the Church contribute to the transformation of the secular life and of impregnating human society with the values of the Kingdom of God. Sense of SOLIDARITY

The Church sees that it is called to make a positive contribution 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.

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

CHURCH OF THE POOR

Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go. -Mother Teresa