Not just the building where Christians worship, it is also God's community on earth and relates to the people they serve
Role of the Church
Can be recognised through different concepts including body, community and assembly
Church as body of Christ
The Church is a living entity, just as a body is. Christ is the head and founder of the Church
Church as a Community
Highlights the collective responsibility of all Christians to help others
Church as Assembly
The word Church comes from the Greek word 'ekklesia' which is defined as an assembly, or a gathering of Christian people
The root meaning of the word church is not the building but the people. The early church did not even have a building they would just meet in homes or outside
1 Corinthians 12:12-14: 'Just as a body, though one has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ'
Acts 2:44-47: 'And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need'
Ways the church puts Christian faith into action by helping others
Offering help and support to those in need
Providing rites of passage for people such as, weddings, funerals and baptism
Running youth groups to help young people in the community
Running regular services and allowing the church to be used for quiet reflection
Raising money for local charities
Church members becoming street pastors
Using the church as a food bank to help those who are struggling
Food banks
Provide food for individuals who cannot afford to buy food
Some churches provide food banks. There are also organisations who are inspired by Christianity
Jesus: 'Love your neighbour'
Christians are inspired by the words of the Bible when Jesus says that by helping anyone in need, you are showing your love for God
The parable of the Sheep and Goats makes it clear that those in need should be helped
In the bible Jesus fed 5000 hungry people, Christians are following his actions
The Trussell Trust
A Christian organisation who help to provide food for people in need
Liturgical, Non-Liturgical & Informal Forms of Worship
Christians have different forms of worship
This can change based upon the type of Christian or denomination
Worship can include a sermon, prayers, the reading of the Bible and the Eucharist
Different denominations place greater importance on different aspects of worship
Key Christian beliefs like Trinity, Jesus Christ and Salvation are shown through worship
Worship is an opportunity for Christians to create a personal relationship between themselves and God or to bring a community together
The Trust supports a network of over 1,200 food bank centres to provide emergency food and compassionate, practical support to people in crisis
Liturgical Worship
Relates to services that are ordered and have a set pattern
A priest or minister will lead the congregation in formal prayers that have set responses
There is no improvisation at all
Believers across the world are familiar with the order of service
Liturgical Worship also includes the formal ritual based around the Sacraments, for example Baptism and Holy Communion
1 Peter 5: 2-3: 'Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them, being examples to the flock'
Street pastors are trained volunteers from local churches who care about their community
Liturgical Worship Texts
Common Worship book based on the Book of Common Prayer (Anglican)
Roman Missal Based upon the liturgy of St John Chrysostom (Catholic)
Based upon the liturgy of St John Chrysostom (Orthodox)
Street Pastors
They patrol in teams of men and women, usually on a Friday and Saturday night, to care for, listen to and help people who are out on the streets
Liturgical Worship Day of worship
Sunday (Anglican, Catholic, Orthodox)
Street Pastors describe themselves as 'the Church in action on the street'
Liturgical Worship Eucharist
Usually involves the Eucharist (Anglican)
Always involves the Eucharist (called Mass). Mass includes the liturgy of the Word and the liturgy of the Eucharist (Catholic)
Always involves the Eucharist (commonly termed the 'Mystic Supper' or 'Divine Liturgy) (Orthodox)
Street Pastors base their actions upon the example and teachings of Jesus in the bible
1 John 3: 17-18: 'If anyone has material possessions and ignores his brother in need, how can he love God?'
James 2:17: 'Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead'
Liturgical Worship The Service
Involves a Confession of Sin and Request for God's mercy
Readings (including one Gospel) and a sermon called The Liturgy of the Word
The Niceen or Apostle's Creed are recited
Shaking hands (shared the peace)
Bread and wine representing body and blood of Christ
Lord's Prayer (Anglican)
A sermon
Bible readings
Niceen Creed
Bread and Wine
The Litany where the priest says prayers and the worshippers respond (Orthodox)
Romans 13: 'Love your neighbour as yourself. Love does no harm to a neighbour. Therefore love is the fulfilment of the law'
Christianity teaches that those who do help others will be rewarded in heaven
Worshipping in public helps some Christians feel part of a larger community
For many Christians they will feel closer to Jesus as they believe he is with them in the church
Worshipping together and following the traditions also helps Christians to feel connected to other Christians now and throughout history
Evangelism
Spreading the Christian gospel by public preaching or personal witness
Matthew 18: 20: ''For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them''
Christians hope by telling others about Jesus' message, many will be converted to the Christian Faith
Non-Liturgical Worship
Some Christians take part in non-liturgical worship in which there does not need to be a set order or ritual
Some churches place an emphasis on the word of God in the Bible
The structure of the service might remain the same each week but the minister may change the order, the hymns or prayers
Mark 16:15: 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation'
The church not only provides a place to worship. It also has a mission to spread the good news to non-believers that Jesus is the Son of God and came into the world to be its saviour
Non-Liturgical Worship Examples
The Society of Friends (Quakers) is usually unstructured. Worshippers sit in silence together but can pray and speak out loud
Methodist services do not have a set structure but there is guidance in the Methodist Worship Book
Evangelical Churches, for example Pentecostals are involved in charismatic worship and may involve dancing, clapping, calling out, and speaking in tongues