Description of Seminar Sessions
The Glorious Church
The glory of the church is the reflected glory of Christ by virtue of her union with Christ who is the Head of the Church. But it is also a cruciform glory. The church in her life and ministry must manifest that glory.
The Church as the Communion of the Holy Spirit
The church is instituted by Christ and constituted by the Spirit to become the communion of the Spirit through his personal indwelling. The communion has certain unique characteristics because of the presence of the Spirit. This unique communion is actualized in the liturgy.
The Church as the Consummation of Creation
The church is called out of this world in order to consecrate the whole creation to God. She is the firstfruits of the new creation. The Eucharist is the means for the spiritualization of creation.
The Liturgy as the Actualization of the Church
The liturgy is the epitome of everything that the church is and is meant to be. But we need to go beyond its sociological to its theological meaning if it is to function as such.
The Liturgy as Theology
The reason why the liturgy actualizes the church is because it reveals God for who he is and brings the church into a true relationship with that God. The major components of the liturgy are examined to show how the central teachings of the church are enacted in the liturgy.
The Liturgy as the Means and End of Mission
In the liturgy the church continues the mission of the Trinity which is to create the church existing in eternal communion with God. The symbiotic relationship between the liturgy and mission will be explored. Without understanding that relationship both mission and the liturgy will be impoverished.
The Liturgy as Practice
A good liturgy needs to be soundly implemented. This calls for active participation. We will explore the underlying theology of active participation and some practical ways of becoming engaged in the liturgy.
Liturgy as a Perpetual Pentecost
The liturgy consists of many paradoxes reflecting the eschatological existence of the church. This state of existence is because the church sustains a paradoxical relation to the Spirit. The Spirit who came at Pentecost continues to come to create a “perpetual Pentecost” which is enacted in the church’s liturgy.
|
