Models of Church
Models of Church
Models of Church
Document # TX001504
Herald
Institution
Sacrament
Servant
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Institution
The Church is defined primarily in terms of its visible structures, especially the rights and powers of its hierarchy. Church government is not democratic or representative, but hierarchical.
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Leadership Is Hierarchical
This model maintains that the Churchs leadership structure is part of the original Deposit of Faith handed down by Christs disciples. Therefore, the authority of the ruling class is understood as God-given, and should be accepted by the faithful unquestioningly.
Institution
All those who formally recognize themselves in relationship to an official Church community and Church teachings.
Popes, bishops, priests Catechism of the Catholic Church Canon Law Magisterium Diocesan directories
Strength in Unity
The strength of this model lies in its visible manifestation of unity. Unlike any of the following models, all tests of membership are clearly visible. This is the only model that must not be paramount. The institution must serve other ends besides its own preservation.
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Bostoncatholic.org
Herald
The herald model emphasizes faith and proclamation over interpersonal relations and mystical communion. The Church is a heraldone who receives an official message with the commission to pass it on. It is the task of the Church to proclaim.
Witness
All those who give witness to their life in Christ and see the Word of God as key.
Servant
The servant model shows that the Church is part of the total human family, sharing the same concerns as the rest of mankind.
Ministry of Jesus
This model is based on the ministry of Jesus, the Suffering Servant of God, who was a man who served others. Just as Christ came into the world not to be served but to serve, so the Church, carrying on the mission of Christ, seeks to serve the world.
Serving Others
The strength of this model lies in its emphasis on serving others, and not simply serving the Churchs self-interests. Authentic service includes the ministry of the Word and Sacrament. The concept of service must keep alive the distinctive mission and identity of the Church.
wpwittman.com
Servant
Name some of the servant groups of the Church: Deacons and priests Women religious Saint Vincent de Paul Society Campaign for Human Development Catholic Relief Services
crs.org
Sacrament
In this model the Church is a sacrament, a sign and transmitter of Gods grace in the world.
Visible Sign
A sacrament is a visible sign of an invisible grace. The Church truly transmits gracethe favorable presence of God.
Community
Sacraments are never merely individual transactions. Nobody baptizes, absolves, or anoints themselves, and the Eucharist is not to be celebrated in solitude. Here, the order of grace corresponds to the order of nature. Man comes into the world as a member of a family, a race, a people.
Grace
All who share in the liturgical life of the Church, to be transformed by grace to be a sign of Christ in the world.
Liturgy Light and salt for the world Communal prayer Source of grace
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No Model Is Complete
In the end, none of the models is sufficient to address the fullness of Gods call to the Church. Each model truly highlights and underscores a vital aspect of the Church. Institution Mystical Body / Communion Herald Servant Sacrament