Synopses & Reviews
Catholic Basics:
A Pastoral Ministry Series
This book is a theological study of the Church, that is, an ecclesiology. There is a rhythm at work in the eucharistic Liturgy and thus in the Christian life as a whole that provides us with a key insight for understanding the Church. In this dynamic movement of coming together and going forth, symbolized in the rites of gathering and dismissal that frame the Mass, we have the basic elements for a theology of the Church. In theological categories, those basic elements may be termed “communion” and “mission.” Reflection upon our ongoing experience of communion and mission can thus provide us with a vision of what it means to be the Church.
—From chapter 1
Synopsis
Ecclesiology: The Church as Communion and Mission presents the basic information needed to have a clear understanding of nature of the Church.This book is a theological study of the Church, that is, an ecclesiology. There is a rhythm at work in the eucharistic Liturgy and thus in the Christian life as a whole that provides us with a key insight for understanding the Church. In this dynamic movement of coming together and going forth, symbolized in the rites of gathering and dismissal that frame the Mass, we have the basic elements for a theology of the Church. In theological categories, those basic elements may be termed "communion" and "mission." Reflection upon our ongoing experience of communion and mission can thus provide us with a vision of what it means to be the Church.
--From chapter 1 Catholic Basics: A Pastoral Series that offers an in-depth yet accessible understanding of the fundamentals of the Catholic faith for adults, both those active in pastoral ministry and those preparing for ministry. The series helps readers explore the Catholic tradition and apply what they have learned to their lives and ministry situations. Includes study questions and suggestions for further reading.Ecclesiology: The Church as Communion and Mission addresses Standards #520.01 and 520.03-520.06.
Synopsis
Ecclesiology: The Church as Communion and Mission presents the basic information needed to have a clear understanding of nature of the Church.Catholic Basics: A Pastoral Series that offers an in-depth yet accessible understanding of the fundamentals of the Catholic faith for adults, both those active in pastoral ministry and those preparing for ministry. The series helps readers explore the Catholic tradition and apply what they have learned to their lives and ministry situations. Includes study questions and suggestions for further reading.
About the Author
Dr. Morris Pelzel is assistant professor of systematic theology at Saint Meinrad School of Theology, St. Meinrad, Indiana, He received a PhD in theology from the Catholic University of America in 1994. He teaches a broad variety of courses at Saint Meinrad, including foundational theology, theological anthropology, Trinity, ecumenical theology, and ecclesiology. His course in science and theology was selected as an award winner in the 1997 Templeton Foundation Course Design Program in Science and Religion.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
About the Series viii
Certification Standards: National Resources for Church Ministry ix
Introduction xi
Chapter 1: A Vision of Church—Communion and Mission 1
“Communion” and “Mission” as a Framework for Ecclesiology 2
The Communion and Mission of the Trinity—Source of
the Church’s Communion and Mission 5
Unfolding the Vision—The Plan of This Book 7
Summary 11
For Reflection 11
Chapter 2: The Church—Communion of Disciples 12
Communion—Bond of Life in the Church 15
Father, Son, and Spirit—A Life of Perfect Communion 17
We Are Invited to Share God’s Life 18
Communion Among Members of the Church 20
The Parish—Communion of Households 21
The Diocese—Communion of Parishes 23
The Universal Church—Communion of Local Churches 24
Communion Beyond the Visible Church 26
The Church—Communion of Disciples 27
Summary 29
For Reflection 29
Chapter 3: Charisms, Ministries, and States of Life in the Church 30
The Common Status of the People of God 32
The Church Evolves Through History 35
The Correspondence of Charisms, Tasks, and Offices 37
States of Life in the Church—Laity, Clergy, and Religious 39
Summary 52
For Reflection 52
Chapter 4: The Church—Formed Through Word and Sacrament 53
The Word of God—In the Church, Above the Church 55
Advancing Toward the Plenitude of Divine Truth 56
The “Sense of the Faith” (Sensus Fidei) 58
The Whole Church, Learning and Teaching 60
Sacraments—Signifying and Sanctifying 63
The Church—Universal Sacrament of Salvation 65
Sacraments—By the Church, For the Church 66
Eucharistic Ecclesiology 67
Summary 70
For Reflection 71
Chapter 5: The Mission of the Church—Evangelizing Cultures 72
Evangelization—Deepest Identity of the Church 75
The Essential Moments of Evangelization 77
The New Evangelization 79
The Evangelization of Cultures 80
What Are Cultures? 82
Transforming the Cultures of the United States 84
The Inculturation of the Gospel and the Church 85
Summary 88
For Reflection 88
Chapter 6: The Mission of the Church—Transforming the World 89
The Church—In the World But Not of the World 91
The Church “in” the Modern World—Gaudium et Spes
and Beyond 93
What Is the “World”? 96
The World—Created for the Church 98
Catholic Social Teaching—Our Best Kept Secret 100
Summary 103
For Reflection 104
Chapter 7: The Church—One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic 105
The Church—Holy in a Way That Can Never Fail 107
The Holiness of the Church—Genuine Though Imperfect 108
The Catholic Unity of the Church 111
Catholicity—The Fullness of Giving and Receiving 113
Summary 115
For Reflection 115
Conclusion 116
Abbreviations 117
Resources for Further Study 119
Acknowledgments 122
About the Author 123