Six Models of the Church

adapted from Avery Cardinal Dulles

The Church is a ______________
One tool that we can use to help us understand is a _________
A ______ is a ______________ of something __________________
It is a simplified __________________ of a complex entity or ___________________ 

Cardinal Avery Dulles wrote that a person can look at the church using ______ ___________ ___________ 
The Body of ___________ or __________ of God	
S______________	
Community of _____________	
Sa ____________________	
H____________________
I____________________	

The Body of Christ or People of God
This model declares, “We are ______________ to one another as _________________.”	
It emphasizes people in __________________ to one another as members of an interdependent, caring _______________.	

Servant
This model stresses, “We are at the ______________ of God and therefore of all ______________.”	
It points to the example Jesus offered, ____________ ______________ by serving all of humankind.	
Our task: look at our own _____________ realistically and use whatever _______________ we possess in the best way for the greatest good of _______________.	

Sacrament	
This model asserts “We are a visible, _________________ sign of God’s love.”	
This model sees the church as a visible, _________________ sign of God’s love in the world	
Humans need _______________, flesh and ______________ reminders that God is with them.	

Institution
This model affirms, “We are organized through formal ________________.”	
Refers to the formal _________________ rules and ________________ that ensure the Church’s carrying out of its __________________.	

Herald	
This model declares, “We ____________ the _____________ news.”
The church is the official ________________ to proclaim the _________ of God to all people everywhere.

Community of Disciples
This model states, “We are _______________ of Jesus.”
In this model we give ____________ to Jesus by taking on his vision, standards, and way of life.
This vision of the church calls us to live according to the beliefs and ______________ of Jesus.
There is an element of suffering and laying down your _____ in this model.