MODELS OF THE CHURCH

DOMINANT MODELS OR PARADIGM FOR DESCRIBING AND UNDERSTANDING THE NATURE OF THE CHURCH

1. THE CHURCH AS AN INSTITUTION

THE DOMINANT MODEL IN ROMAN CATHOLICISM BEFORE VAT II

STRESSES ITS STRUCTURES OF GOVERNANCE AND ITS AUTHORITY TO IMPOSE DOCTRINE AND DISCIPLINE WITH SPIRITUAL SANCTIONS

THE ONE TRUE CHURCH IS: the community of men brought together by: the profession of the same Christian faith participation in the same sacraments under the authority of legitimate pastors and especially of the one Vicar of Christ on earth, the Roman Pontiff....

FOSTERED WHAT YVES CONGAR HAS CALLED HEIRARCHOLOGY RATHER THAN ECCLESIOLOGY. OVER-EMPHASIS ON AUTHORITY RESULTED IN THE LACK OF LAY INVOLVEMENT IN THE LIFE AND MISSION OF THE CHURCH.

THE CHURCH IS A SOCIETY WHICH IS STRUCTURAL AND VISIBLE. THERE ARE DEFINITE GUIDELINES BY WHICH CATHOLICS COULD IDENTIFY WITH ONE ANOTHER.

 This model tends to identify the Church with the Kingdom of God on earth, at the expense of the abiding need for renewal and reform

2. THE CHURCH AS COMMUNION

The Church is community, a fellowship with men of God and with one another (Congar) Involves variety in unity, the spirit of collegiality and participation and coresponsibility on all levels in the Church.

a. The Church as the People of God

It focuses its attention on the Church as a network of interpersonal relationships From hierarchical image to dynamic image of People of God a participatory community Principle image of the Church in the NT

b. THE BODY OF CHRIST MODEL

stressing the activity and gifts of the Spirit in all members and the dependence of all on the contributions of each.

It was a welcome and much needed complement of the earlier model, and much enriched ecclesiology and Catholic Church life.

c. The Church as Community of Disciples

Rooted in the early ministry of Jesus Christ

John 20:21
What makes a group of people a Church is primarily discipleship.

3. THE SACRAMENTAL MODEL

Accepted into the Vatican II Constitution on the Church in the statement which became a major theme of the Council:

"The Church is in Christ as a sacrament or sign and instrument of intimate union with God and of the unity of all mankind."

A sacrament is both sign and instrument. It describes in some sense the indescribable and inexpressible spiritual reality.
The Church as a sacrament of Christ: expresses Christ

The Church as sacrament of salvation: expresses something of what salvation essentially consists in through the Church's community life .

At the same time a sacrament is an instrument which effects what it signifies:

The symbolic washing brings about the spiritual purification it expresses

the Church as a sacrament of Christ: brings about the continuation of Christ's ministry The Church as sacrament of salvation: builds a community of salvation in the world.

4. THE CHURCH AS A PROPHET

STRESSES THE RENEWAL OF THE CHURCH BASED ON GODS WORD AND THE TEACHINGS OF THE CHURCH

THIS MODEL IS KERYGMATIC

FOR IT LOOKS UPON THE CHURCH AS A HERALD ONE WHO RECEIVES AN OFFICIAL MESSAGE WITH THE COMMISSION TO PASS IT ON.

5. THE CHURCH AS A SERVANT Commencing from an explicit acceptance that the Church must be part of the human community and intimately associated with all that is genuinely human

Because that was what Christ became through the Incarnation,

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.

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