Models of the Church

The church has been described in many ways with the help of models and images that
can help deepen our understanding and the position of the church.
Church as Institution
In this model, the church is seen as the perfect society, as a political society alongside
any other government. This is the Roman side of the Roman Catholicism, the structure
which was designed after the brilliance of hierarchical administration of the Roman
Empire whose virtues were efficiency and accountability. The church is seen as on the
giving end of the three functions of teaching and sanctifying, and governing. The main
focus of this model is within toward those who already in the institution versus those
outside. The scriptural foundation of this model is Matthew 16:18 “You are Peter and
upon this Rock I will build my Church.” The advantage of this model are strong
endorsement by official Church documents in the past few centuries, continuity with the
past, and a strong sense of corporate identity.
Church as Community
This model stresses the personal and the interpersonal, the fellowship of persons with
God and with each other. It stems from the house Church structure or the first decades
of Christianity where in the associations were face-to-face. The organization is fluid
relations work even until the number is small and the participants intimate.
As a body, the Church, is a vital, organic, growing structure.

Christ is the head. The church and its individual members depend on Christ as the
whole depends on its head. Christ communicates to his spirit and governs the whole
church individually and entirely through the visible hierarchy the pope and bishops
whom he has given the teaching, governing, and sanctifying powers.
The Holy Spirit is the soul. The Spirit gives life to, unifies, and moves the whole body
of Christ. One receives the spirit of Christ during baptism. It is He who pours out the
divine Life that makes the soul one with the Church.
The members are diverse yet together they form one body. The members of diverse
gifts and functions yet they work together for the benefit of the entire body.
As the people of God, the Church opens its identity to the world calling all peoples to be
part of it. This model has been prefigured by the people of Israel with whom Yahweh
established the old covenant. In the fullness of time God who decided to save all men
called and formed a new people in Christ who will acknowledge Him in truth and serves
him in holiness.
Church as Sacrament. Just as Christ is the sacrament, the visible form of an invisible
grace of God, so the church is the sacrament of Christ. The church is a visible sign that
effectively makes Christ present redeeming ways and activity offered to all persons of
every age race and condition. By her unique relationship with Christ, the church has
become a sign and instrument of God's grace, our unity with God and with one another
and salvation. This model challenges the church to be more like Christ in his dealings
with everyone since the Eucharist is the central sacrament of the seven. The church
takes on the challenge of being prayerful liturgical persons in the whole world while at
the same time, calling the world to table fellowship that is the conditions of cooperation
friendship and exchange which are characteristics of those who dine together.
But you are a chosen race a royal priesthood a holy nation God's Own people. Paul
inciting about marriage as a sacrament of the relation between Christ and the church
implies that the Church is also sacramental. This model brings out the symbolic quality
of human life itself, that we are not yet what we are called to be while at the same time
not discouraged from seeking what we not yet are. In short the Church is called to be
saintly while clearly not yet “all there”.
Still sacraments are efficacious, that is, they produce what they signify. So the Church is
holy not by dint of its own merits but by the grace of God which sanctifies the Church in
Christ. The advantage of this model is its ability to serve as job description for the
Church, along with its performance can be evaluated.
Church as Herald. This model gives prominence to a theology of Word: that Jesus is
the word of God, preaches the word of the kingdom, and commissions his disciples to
spread that word and Word to all people. The job description of the church as herald of
this clear: to evangelize that is to receive the good news and to pass it on. A danger of
this model is that words can be formulaic. Another disadvantage is that one might limit
relation to the Bible and forget the Tradition (a faithful handing on of essential truths)
which established Scripture is another source of revealed truth. A third caution is that
this model might neglect action as the way to fulfill the word.
Church as Servant. This model sets the church in a subordinate role to the world, just
as Jesus washed his disciples’ feet and commissioned them to do likewise. This model
has inspired church-sponsored institutions of prophetic voices, which speak out against
social injustice, human rights. A danger of this model is that one may be tempted to
think subordination means obedience to the world, whereas the church serves the world
by obeying God. Another danger is secularism itself, which values human action but
ignores the spiritual basis for Christian service. The spiritual foundation for service can
prevent burnout, the discouragement that results when intractable social problems do
not seem affected by one’s efforts to help.
Church a School of Discipleship. This model incorporates the process of learning into
the job description of the Church. Indeed, becoming organized, communal, holy,
evangelical, and serving all involve the Church in the process of education which not
only informs a person but forms him and her, and transforms as well. Jesus spent all of
his public life gathering and educating disciples.

Other images of the Church of the Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on
the Church, Lumen Gentium.
As mystery, the Church is a reality imbued with God's hidden presence; opens to new
and greater explorations; and has a unique relationship with God and all her members.
The church originates from the saving the sign of the Father, the redemptive mission of
the Son and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. She is a community of believers
drawn together by Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. The church mission is the
mission of the Son and the Holy Spirit in accord with the decree of God the Father. Her
destiny is the full realization of this communion with the kingdom of God. The church is
a pilgrim on a journey towards God's kingdom where all her members will appear with
Christ in the state of glory in which they will see him as He is.
The church as mother brings forth her children to a new and immortal life who are
conceived the Holy Spirit and born of God through her preaching and baptism. So,
Christ is to be born and grow in the hearts of the faithful through the church. Because
he continues to nourish us, we ought to honor the church as our mother and teacher.
The church is the Bride of Christ beautifully captures the nature of the church and her
relation to Christ. As his bride Christ deeply loves her that he gave himself up for her.
His love makes the church a resplendent bride in splendor without spot or wrinkle or any
such thing… holy and without blemish. In baptism and Eucharistic sacrifice, Christ
continuously gives life to her bride, the Church. She is also the New Eve, the faithful
spouse of the New Adam.

But other times the church is described as Temple of God built on the foundation of the
Apostles with Christ as the cornerstone; a Sheepfold that keeps people close to Christ
always ready to hear the call of the Lord.; Flock tended by Christ the Good Shepherd
who lays down his life for his sheep; Vineyard with God as the Heavenly Vinedresser
and with Christ, the True Vine who gives life and fruitfulness to the branches; Pilgrim
on our way towards the lasting city, the kingdom of God, the heavenly Jerusalem.