The distinctive mission of the Church

..the living body of Christ

The Church is..

The transformation of the world

The Church exists for..

Continue His saving work in the world

The Church was established by Jesus to..

Materialistic world

A kind of signs of the times

Materialistic person

This is someone who is excessively concerned with material possessions and money

that they are the most important thing in life, even more than values

A materialistic person believes..

acquiring wealth and luxury goods

A materialistic person is focused on..

posessions

A materialistic person sees _ as the primary source of happiness or status

Latin word “missio” meaning “to be sent”

Etymology of “mission”

Jesus sent his disciples to continue His work

The Church exists because..

1. Proclaim the good news

2. Bring people closer to God

3. Celebrate the sacraments

4. Serve humanity

5. Build God’s kingdom on Earth

The mission of the Church

It comes directly from Jesus and continues his work of salvation

1st reason the Church’s mission is distinctive

It seeks holistic transformation for every person

2nd reason the Church’s mission is distinctive

It is rooted in love, service, truth, and communion

3rd reason the Church’s mission is distinctive

1. Proclamation (Kerygma)

2. Worship (Liturgia)

3. Service (Diakonia)

4. Communion (Koinonia)

Four essential dimensions of the Church’s mission

Proclamation (Kerygma)

The Church proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Worship (Liturgia)

The Church gathers to worship God

Service (Diakonia)

Jesus came not to be served but to serve. The Church continues this mission.

Communion (koinonia)

The Church builds unity among people

1. Christ-centered

2. Universal

3. Compassionate

4. Evangelizing

5. Transformative

Characteristics of the Church’s mission

Christ centered

Jesus is the source and model of every mission

Universal

The Gospel is for everyone regardless of race, culture, age, or social status

Compassionate

The Church reaches out to the poor, forgotten, and vulnerable

Evangelizing

Its primary mission is to bring people closer to God

Transformative

The Chursch seeks to transform hearts, families, communities, and society according to the Gospel’s values

1. Matthew 5:3

2. CCC 849

3. Vatican II — Lumen Gentium

4. Vatican II — Ad Gentes

Church Teachings

Mathew 5:3

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”

CCC 849

"The missionary mandate. Having been divinely sent to the nations that she might be the universal sacrament of salvation, the Church, in obedience to the command of her founder and because it is demanded by her own essential universality, strives to preach the Gospel to all people."

Vatican II — Lumen Gentium

 "The Church is in Christ like a sacrament or as a sign and instrument both of a very closely knit union with God and of the unity of the whole human race."

Vatican II — Ad Gentes

"The pilgrim Church is missionary by her very nature."