Theology for Dummies - Ecclesiology

ecclesia - 'congregation, church'
ology - 'study of'

Ecclesiology is the theological study of the church and subjects can include everything from how the church started, it relationship to Jesus Christ, leadership, role in salvation and its final destiny.

In many cases, the reasons there are denominations in Christianity is differences in ecclesiology. Sometimes it is about governing structure: Congregational (rule by the congregation), Episcopal (Rule by bishops) or Presbyterian (Rule by elected presbyters), etc. Other times it can be about the churches role in salvation which is the chief dividing line between Catholics and Protestants.

The other subjects are not so much dividing points of disagreement as they are philosophical and theological understandings. These can lead to division as well but are more likely effect an individual's perception of them self inside the church.

When we are talking about ecclesiology we are talking about the church in some way or another.

Next: Eschatology

Truth and the Value of the Church.

Looking above, such a church may exist, but I doubt it would have any value. To have value, a church must hold something that is true as true. Without central truth, no value can be had. Relativism, believing truth is relative to the situation, will never bring value because value is fleeting and changeable in relativism. Guess me and the emergent church part company at this point. Although, I do hear some of the points they are making.

Whenever I stand in the pulpit, I am confronted with an inescapable fact -- I have former EVERYTHING in front of me. Catholics, Lutherans, Baptists, Reformed, Wesleyan, Pentecostal (Hey, that's behind the pulpit too), Charismatic, etc. are all present. In addition, there are several Tried Everythings as well. When I try to find something we have in common, it comes down to a single fact that we all got fed up with religiosity of our other churches and wanted to find a church where we could be Christan and yet have our differences respected. We were looking for a place where the commonality of our faith was the core, not how we differ from others of Christian faith.

That said, there are central truths we uphold at Hersey Congregational Church that are the common ground and give our church its core values:

1. The Bible is our authority and is the inspired word of God: what 'inspired' specifically means is open for debate. We all believe God had a hand in the Bible, but the exact 'how" he did it is open to interpretation because in truth the Bible really does not say itself 'how it works'. What we do not question is that the Bible has the authority to tell us how to live and what to believe.

2. The Trinity: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Three in One. One God, three persons. As confusing as this doctrine can be, it is found throughout Scripture and is a central tenant of being a Christian and understanding God.

3. The Historical Life, Work, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Honestly, is their a point being a Christian if there is no historical Christ who was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on a cross and rose from the dead? Christ -- Christian -- get it?

4. Salvation through Faith in Christ: What 'faith' is and means is Bible defined, but the definition does have fuzzy edges when in the context of works (i.e. James or Paul or both), but in the end faith is not doubt. It is trust and evidence of that which is not seen (Hebrews 11:1). There are tons of issues under the heading of 'salvation' and how one is saved, but we point back to Christ regardless of which ones people personally have.

5. The Return of Christ: Christ said several times he would return to return his people to himself. When, where and how may be debatable, but one thing is for sure: He is coming back.

All of these, constitute what we believe to be the central tenants of the Christian faith. They represent a true expression of True Fundamentalism. Everything else is not necessarily relative, but these are the convictions that a Christian should be will to live and die for. Otherwise I would really doubt the Christianity of a Christian who cannot believe these core understandings.

So what about the rest. In the end we allow freedom to hold differences, discuss them, but still be brothers and sisters in Christ at the end of the day. They simply are not core enough, in my opinion, to break fellowship with someone because we disagree. Only the five above items justify such a break. Although it should be understood, the first one has the implication of following what is clearly said in the Bible. Murder and adultery are defined as Biblically wrong so they are wrong for everyone under 'the Bible being the authority' for example.

The central theme for us then truly becomes: In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity. Both Augustine and Wesley (two guys with very different views) were fond of this saying and so am I. I may not always agree with my brothers and sisters in Christ, but I stand with them in unity about Jesus and love them no matter what.

Truth gives a church value, but also allowing each other liberty allows us to enjoy that value and walk in that truth. Otherwise all you have is religion which seeks to control and manipulate, neither of which are loving things to do.

I have finally found my church and it is one that fits me as a pastor. It allows me to walk in the liberty of the truth of Jesus Christ and love each person because I can allow them to be free as well. Instead of trying to control the flock, I work to have them know the truth so they can be free and follow Christ. I can only wish the same for everyone else.

What It Means to Be a Congregationalist.

I suppose some people have passed by a congregational church and wondered what that is about -- I mean what in the world is a congregational church in the first place. Well in short it has nothing to do with doctrine and everything to do with government. In a Congregational church the congregation rules. The Council in many way has the ultimate power and they are elected by the congregation. The pastor's role is clearly defined as spiritual and in the end he can overruled. Risky but worth it -- It truly demonstrates a balance of responsibilities and power.

Having looked at my church for over a year now I can tell you I like the concept. The issue is to be independent but at the same time respectful of other people's beliefs

As an example, when Hersey Congregational Church was founded, eight people met that represented five different denominations including, as I remember,: Baptist, Free Methodist, Presbyterian and Episcopal. They founded the church in 1870 and next year the church will celebrate its 140th year.

Some years ago, my church demonstrated it independence by leaving the UCC and becoming non-denominational. The congregation disliked how the United Church of Christ was embracing homosexuality as acceptable and they voted themselves out.

Respect is something that requires a little work. Like the original congregation of eight, I have varied theological and doctrinal opinions sitting in front of me when I preach and I think that is why the doctrinal statement is so short. Respect means to be able to disagree and yet walk out brothers and sisters in Christ who love one another. Dialogue becomes key.

Every council meeting I am reminded of this fact. Dialogue is in abundance and opinions are varied on every issue. It is actually rare to get immediate consensus but when the discussion ends we usually have some sort of decision that all can at least in some measure support. Because of this what we do is often limited in scope but powerful because everyone is behind it.

Independence and respect -- I like it.