Nature and mission

of the Church
Five Dimensions
Had a strong sense of fellowship
Were Nourished by the word of God.
Were celebrating their communion with
one another and with God in prayer and
celebration of sacraments.
Developed a plurality of ministries.
Proclaiming the kingdom of God.
 A. Scriptural Images of the
Church

1. People of God
2. Temple of the Spirit
3. Body of Christ
B. Some Challenges Posed by
the Scriptural Images for
Christians Today.
1. From an Exclusive to a More Inclusive
Church.
2. From Clericalization to Community
Participation.
3. From Sacralization to a More Historical
Perspective.
4. From an idealized picture to More
Realistic Assessment of the Church.
C. Two Visions of the Church

The Salvation-Historical Perspectives.

Stressed
D. The Church According to
Vatican II
1. The Church as the People of God
 The Church “is a kind of Sacraments or sign of
intimate union with God and of the unity of all
mankind”.
 The Church is not an exclusive community.
 The Church is a pilgrim towards the kingdom.
 The Church is a sign of the kingdom.
 The Church is a participatory community.
2. The Church as Hierarchical
Society

3. Church as Servant
E. The Church as Envisioned
by the Second Plenary Council
of the Philippines: Renewed
Church for a Renewed Mission
Basic Equality
A unity in the diversity of charisms and
ministries
A Spirit of Participation
F. Essential Characteristics of
the Church’s Life
1. The Church is One
2. The Church is Holy
3. The Church is Catholic
4. The Church is Apostolic
The Celebrations of Christian
Life
A. Towards Understanding the Meaning
of Sacrament in the Context of the
Seven Sacraments
1. Sacraments as Celebration
2. Sacraments as Commemoration
3. Sacraments as Symbols
4. Sacraments as Call to Action
B. The Seven Sacraments
1. The Sacraments of Initiation
A. Baptism
B. Confirmation
C. Eucharist
a. Passover as a thanksgiving for deliverence
b. Passover as a thanksgiving for hope and
courage
c. Passover as a celebration of unity
d. Passover as a meal
2. The Sacraments of Forgiveness and Healing
A. Reconciliation
B. Anointing of the Sick
3. The Sacraments of Service
A. Sacrament of Marriage
a. The Scrutiny
b. The Consent
c. Confirmation of the marriage bond
d. Arrhae and rings
e. Participation in the Eucharist
f. Veil and yugal
B. Holy Orders
C. Liturgy as the Source and
Summit of the Christian Life