Images of the Church

“LF is like a big family.”

You’ve all heard this before. What does it say about LF?

Consider the following images used to describe the Church…

The Church is called “Mother” Church.What does this tell us about the Church?

The Church is described as the “bride” of Jesus.What does this tell us about Jesus’ relationship with the Church?

Church members are described as “pilgrims.”What does this tell us about the Church?

Church members are seen as a “flock.”What does this tell us about the Church?

The Church is seen as being like a “cultivated field” (a field ready to be planted).

What does this tell us about the Church?

Images of the ChurchThe Church can be better understood when it

is explained using images like:

Sacrament

People of God

Body of Christ

Temple of the Holy Spirit

Herald

Servant

Church as a sacrament

Jesus works through sacraments to make his presence known and felt on earth.

Jesus works through the Church.

Therefore the Church is a sacrament.

Church as the People of God

God made the following covenant (a sacred promise) with the Israelites:

“I will be your God and you will be my people.”

Through Jesus, we share in this covenant. We, too, are God’s people.

We enter into this covenant, knowing that God will always love us and that we are capable of living as God wants us to live.

Church as the Body of Christ

The Church can be understood as a body – with Jesus as the Head. We each have a role to play in the work of the Church. No role is greater or more important than others. If we all do our part, the Church will work effectively.

Church as a Temple of the Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit lives in and works through the Church and its members. This makes The Church unique.

The Holy Spirit “sanctifies” the Church. This means that the Holy Spirit makes the Church HOLY by being present in it.

Church as a Herald

A Herald announces important information to those who need to hear it.

We, as members of the Church, have a responsibility to tell others about Jesus and Jesus’ message through our words and/or our actions.

“Preach the Gospel at all times and, when necessary, use words.” – St. Francis of Assisi

Church as a Servant

Because Jesus is our role model, we know that we are called to serve the needs of others in whatever ways we can.

The Church acts in this way when its members look for needs and then look for ways to care for those needs in others.

This is not an optional part of being Christian – it is at the heart of what it is to be a Christian.

Models of the Church HWDue Monday 10/11

Choose 1 of the following questions to answer,

in a well written, typed paragraph. INCLUDE

THE QUESTION:

a. Who is the most effective “herald” that you know?

b. What role do you believe that YOU play in the “Body of Christ?”

c. What opportunities for service present themselves in your everyday life? Explain.