Theology of the Church, Mentor's Guide, MG03

/ 1 4 1

T H E O L O G Y O F T H E C H U R C H

This lesson focuses upon comprehending the nature and function of the Church’s work through certain marks of the Nicene Creed, the teaching of the Reformation, and the rule of St. Vincent. We also sought to understand the work and ministry of the Church through lens of certain select images which highlight the relationship of the Church to each of the members of the Trinity, to the world, and to the devil and his spiritual forces of darkness. In a world where so many professing Christians and congregations are claiming intimate relationship with God, it is imperative that Christian leaders understand what constitutes true Christian community, and be able to defend and articulate this in the midst of other disciples. Carefully reconsider these critical concepts, thinking how they enable us to properly understand the Church’s work in the world. One of the most important and accepted criteria for understanding the nature and function of the Church is contained in the marks according to the Nicene Creed: “We believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.” The true Church is one, set apart for God’s possession and use, universal and global, and apostolic in origin and identity. The Reformation Marks of the Church concentrates on the biblical, sacramental, and procedural criteria for the Church: “The Church exists where the Word is rightly preached, the sacraments are rightly administered, and discipline is rightly ordered.” The rule of St. Vincent (or the Vincentian Rule) concentrates on discovering the standards by which we can judge some idea or truth to be authoritative within the Church. It reads: “What has been believed everywhere, always, and by all.” This rule provides a sure way whereby we can determine whether some teaching or practice conforms to the teaching of the “Great Tradition” of the one, true Church of Jesus Christ. By understanding and studying various images of the Church in the New Testament we can discover much about the nature and function of the Church, its mission and work in the world. The primary work of the Church is to give evidence of God’s work in its community life: the Church’s first work is to declare the excellencies of God in its life and relationships. Its critical identity is found in being something , not in merely doing something ; the Church, as God’s people, is called to display a quality of life that reflects the glory of him who created her in the first place.

Summary of Key Concepts

4