Christianity - Living the Christian Life PDF

## Christianity - Living the Christian Life ### 1. Worship **Specification:** Christian worship: liturgical and non-liturgical forms of worship, including activities which are informal and individual, including reference to the Book of Common Prayer; when each form might be used and why; divergent...

## Christianity - Living the Christian Life ### 1. Worship **Specification:** Christian worship: liturgical and non-liturgical forms of worship, including activities which are informal and individual, including reference to the Book of Common Prayer; when each form might be used and why; divergent Christian attitudes towards the practices, meaning and significance of liturgical and non-liturgical forms of worship in Christian life today, with reference to denominations which worship with less structure such as some Pentecostal churches. **Liturgical Worship:** This follows a tradition of a set structure, ceremony or ritual. It is usually formal and led by a priest. Words of worship are contained in a book. Hymns and readings will change according to the season but the structure of the service is the same each time. It is formal worship. - Reflective and contemplative in style: adherents of the faith are moved from the fast-paced world of modernity to a space which is defined by reverence - Hierarchical in that clergy and choir lead the worship for most of the time - Corporate as all witnesses engage in call or response of the liturgy - Structured in that it moves between song, reading, prayer and spoken creed - Regular in that it follows this structure each time the worship is carried out. **Advantages of Liturgical Worship:** - Everyone can be involved as it is familiar. The same happens each time during Liturgical Worship. - It focuses much more on Biblical message - It keeps with tradition - It brings a sense of community and continuity across many churches as they are all following a set structure **Disadvantages of Liturgical Worship:** - There is not much freedom on how to worship - It arguably does not allow one to develop their personal relationship with God - It could be alienating if one did not understand it all **Non-Liturgical Worship:** This can be structured or spontaneous. A carol service is an example of structured worship. Spontaneous worship might include family prayer or a prayer group. People pray aloud when they feel the urge to. **Charismatic worship **is a particular type of non-liturgical worship. Pentecostal churches hold these services. There is no set form. The leader acts as he feels inspired by the Holy Spirit. In Pentecostal worship the worship is led by the power of the worshippers' personality and the belief that the Holy Spirit can influence worship. There is more dancing and singing and people often speak in tongues. *Psalm 150 - 'Praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals'* Many use this quotation to suggest that we should worship non-liturgically and it is emphasizing and informal type of worship. **Advantages of Non-Liturgical Worship:** - People are free to express themselves individually - It could be seen as more relevant to modern times, eg. Using modern instruments and music. - Pentecostal Christians can be overcome with the Holy Spirit. **Disadvantages of Non-Liturgical Worship:** - It could be seen as moving away from tradition - No continuity between churches - Focuses more on the worshipper than what they are actually worshipping **Book of Common Prayer:** Catholicism had a set liturgical pattern of worship. The Church of England wanted to remain liturgical but they also wanted to make sure that they were distinct. For this reason the Book of Common Prayer was created. It was a move in the Protestant direction as the ceremony was now in English rather than Latin. It made clear that Protestants did not believe in transubstantiation (the belief that the bread and wine physically becomes Jesus' body and blood during the Eucharist). Instead Protestants believe the bread and wine was a symbol to remember Jesus. *** ### 2. Sacraments **Specification:** The role of the sacraments in Christian life and their practice in two denominations: the role of the sacraments/ordinance as a whole; the nature and importance of the meaning and celebration of baptism and the Eucharist in at least two denominations, including reference to the 39 Articles XXV-XXXVI; divergent Christian attitudes towards the use and number of sacraments in Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant traditions. A sacrament is an outward physical sign of the invisible grace of God. Catholics observe 7 sacraments. Protestants only accept 2, the Eucharist and baptism. This is because they have an indisputable foundation in the New Testament. They are a rite of passage and recognise important milestones in the life of a Christian. **Catholic Sacraments:** - **Baptism ** - the first sacrament where babies (normally) are welcomed into the Church family and blessed. - **Eucharist** - Taking the bread and wine to remember Jesus. Catholics believe in transubstantiation which means that the bread and wine physically turns into the body and blood of Jesus. - **Confirmation ** - Similar to baptism where the person confirms the promises made at baptism. - **Confession** - Christians say sorry for their sins and try not to sin again. This can also be known as reconciliation which means bringing people together after conflict or difference. - **Annointing the sick** - This is given to people who are very ill and will probably die. Their sins are forgiven by a priest. - **Holy Orders** - this is only taken by those who want to work for the church such as a priest. They commit their lives to God. - **Marriage** - When two people are joined together in front of God. **Orthodox Church:** They celebrate infant baptism. They do not have confirmation service but have the sacrament of Chrismation which immediately follows baptism and involved being anointed with holy oil called Chrism. Orthodox Christians also believe that the bread and wine physically turns into the body and blood. They receive bread soaked in wine. **Protestants:** *Article 25 of 39 Articles of Religion states: the sacraments are 'certain sure witnesses, and effectual signs of grace, and God's good will towards us' but that the only two sacraments are baptism and Eucharist because the others 'have grown partly of the corrupt following of the apostles, partly are states of life allowed in the scriptures'* Protestants therefore do not believe in the seven sacraments but only baptism and eucharist as these have foundations in the Bible. - **Baptism** Baptism is understood as an expression of faith. In most churches babies are baptised before they can announce their faith - their sin is washed from them so that they can enter heaven. Older children confirm their baptism in 'confirmation'. **Divergent beliefs on baptism:** In Baptist churches, baptism can only be undertaken by an adult who has the independence to take up the religion for themselves. They undergo a full immersion because Jesus was baptised like this and it represents a full transformation into the Christian life. They believe that only an adult can fully make the choice of belonging to a Church. Each candidate is asked questions about their faith and makes a personal testimony about why they want to be a Christian. **Evidence for the importance of Baptism:** - Catechism of the Catholic Church - 'baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the spirit and the door which gives access to the other sacraments' 'through baptism we are feed from sin and reborn as sons of God: we become members of Christ. - John 3 - Jesus said 'no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the spirit. - Mark 16 - Jesus telling his disciples 'whoever believes and is baptised will be saved'. - St Peter links baptism to Noah's ark - Baptism saves a person from Sin, like the Ark saved Noah. It is a washing from original sin. **Symbolism in Baptism:** - The water, poured over the head represents washing from sin, and dying and rising again. - Anointing with Oil representing spiritual strength and joining God's family. - Promises affirming their commitment to the Christian Faith (made by Parents on behalf of the child) - The sign of the cross on the forehead as a sign on belonging to Christ. - A white garment is often worn as a symbol of purity from sin. **Eucharist:** The Eucharist is the re-enactment of the Last Supper that Jesus shared with his disciples. The bread represents Jesus' body and the wine represents Jesus' blood. Catholics believe in transubstantiation which means that the bread and wine physically become Jesus' body and blood. *Luke 22 - 19 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." 20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.* Catholics believe they should receive the bread and wine at least once a week and some receive it every day. Protestants may take the bread and wine less often, perhaps once every few weeks. Some do not receive it at all, for example, members of the Salvation Army. **No Sacraments:** Some such as Quakers and the Salvation Army believe that faith is more important than works (performing good deeds). They believe that sacraments are therefore distractions from faith. *** ### 3. Prayer **Specification:** The nature and purpose of prayer: the nature of and examples of the different types of prayer; set prayers; informal prayer and the Lord's Prayer, including Matthew 6:5–14; when each type might be used and why; divergent Christian attitudes towards the importance of each type of prayer for Christians today. Prayer is an attempt to communicate with God. People pray for many different reasons such as to offer praise, to make a request or to express one's emotions. Many theists (people who believe in God) believe that prayer makes them feel closer to God. **Prayers have different purposes:** - thanksgiving - thanking for the kindness he has shown - Praise - to worship God - Forgiveness - ask for forgiveness - Petitionary - supplicatory prayers are used to ask for something from God for oneself. Intercessionary prayers are used to ask for God's intervention, for example asking if someone is sick that they are healed. **Set Prayers** Set prayers are prayers that are written down and are prayed more than once by more than one person. Set prayers are more used in worship that is shared between different people in Church. They follow a set formula, for example, the Book of Common prayer would contain formulaic prayers. **Informal Prayers** Some prayers are done by individuals outside of church and with no set text. Informal prayers are when people to try to have a one on one connection with God. These are also called extempore prayer. These are free-form prayer. Considerable preparation may have been taken place before the prayer was offered, or the prayer may be spontaneous. *Matthew 6:1 – 'Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.'* *Matthew 6:5-6 - 'And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.* This suggests that extempore prayers taken place alone may be the best way to pray as it should not be in front of others. **The Lord's Prayer** Christians believe that Jesus told his disciples to pray with this prayer: *Matthew 6– 'This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on Earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.* The Lord's prayer is accepted by all Christians and it combines all as members of one community. This is an example of a formulaic or set prayer. This is a very important prayer as Jesus told Christians to pray in this way. Most Christians pray both set prayers and informal prayers. **Advantages of Set/Formulaic prayers( similar to advantages of liturgical worship)** - continuity with other churches - people can take part in the prayers together - Jesus taught us to pray in this way and we should follow his example **Advantages of Informal/Extempore prayers (similar to advantages of non-liturgical worship)** - can build a more personal relationship with God - more authentic prayer as you are saying what you want to God *** ### 4. Pilgrimage **Specification:** Pilgrimage: the nature, history and purpose of pilgrimage, including interpretations Luke 2:41-43; the significance of the places people go on pilgrimage; divergent Christian teachings about whether pilgrimage is important for Christians today, with specific reference to Catholic and Protestant understandings; the activities associated with, and significance of, Jerusalem, Iona, Taize and Walsingham. **Pilgrimage - a journey to a location of importance to religion** **Relics - the physical remains of a saint** **Shrine - a place of worship that holds the tomb or relic of a saint** **True cross - the actual cross on which Jesus was crucified** People have gone on pilgrimages for many years. The ancient Greeks went on pilgrimage to Mount Olympus. The Muslim annual pilgrimage to Mecca has been happening since the time of the Prophet. Christians have been going on pilgrimage to the Holy Land since Emperor Constantine's mother went there. In the Middle Ages, rich Christians often paid people to go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land for them so that they gained the spiritual benefits without having to interrupt their lives. **Why do people go on a pilgrimage?** Pilgrimage is important to many Catholics and Orthodox Christians. - **Sacrifice.** To make the pilgrimage, life is disrupted and there is a monetary, physical and personal cost in making the journey. It often involves hardship for a greater purpose. - **Transformation.** The journey is intended to be part of the religious believer's spiritual development and in having this experience it in some way transforms him/her into a better person. - **Unity and community.** In making a journey, the believer encounters others who have undergone a similar experience whom they may not know. This strengthens the national or international community of believers, bringing unity to people across the faith. - **Jesus went on a pilgrimage every year** - **To be cured from illness** *Luke 2:41-43 - 'Every year Jesus's parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. * *Catechism of Catholic Church - 'Pilgrimages evoke our earthly journey toward heaven and are traditionally very special occasions for renewal in prayer.'* One reason many Christians feel that they should go on a pilgrimage is because Jesus did every year and as He is our ultimate example then we should follow him. **Opposition to pilgrimage:** Many Protestants do not agree with pilgrimage because they believe that God can be experienced anywhere. Protestants are also opposed to worshipping the Virgin Mary as they regard it as worshipping an idol which is banned in the ten commandments. The Protestant Reformers were very opposed to pilgrimage as they thought that they broke the commandment not to worship idols and that the relics were false and were there to deceive the pilgrims. Most Protestants today tend to feel that emphasising special 'holy places' is wrong because God is the same everywhere and we can encounter God anywhere. Saints, relics and the Virgin Mary should not be revered but only God should be worshipped. Evangelical Protestants see their religious life as a pilgrimage. They prefer to understand pilgrimage as a metaphor for faith; it involves a journey where one leaves one's starting point; there is a sacrifice to be made; one encounters the Holy; one is transformed by the encounter *Martin Luther (a Protestant Reformer - not Martin Luther King!) - All pilgrimages should be stopped. There is no good in them: no commandment enjoins them, no obedience attaches to them. Rather do these pilgrimages give countless occasions to commit sin and to despise God's commandments* *Exodus 20:3-5 - You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself and idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them* Some believe that going on a pilgrimage becomes like worshipping an idol as people seem to worship the shrines and relics which are there. **Jerusalem:** A major centre of Christian pilgrimage is Jerusalem in Israel, where the crucial events in the last days of Jesus' life took place. Pilgrims visit: - The Cenacle, thought to be the site of the Upper Room, which is where the Last Supper took place - The Mount of Olives, where Jesus prayed to God and where he was arrested - The Via Dolorosa, or way of suffering, which is the route Jesus took as he was made to carry his cross to Golgotha, the place of crucifixion - The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which is perhaps the holiest place because it is believed to be the location of Golgotha, where Jesus died and where Jesus's nearby tomb was. - The Garden Tomb, which Protestants often visit rather than the Holy Sepulchre because some archaeologists believe it to be the true place of Golgotha **Lourdes:** The pilgrimage to Lourdes became very popular during the nineteenth century among Roman Catholics, especially after the experiences of St Bernadette of Lourdes. In 1858, she (then 14) saw a beautiful young girl standing on a rock in Lourdes, France. She beckoned to her, but then disappeared. This was the start of eighteen apparitions during 1858. During one, Bernadette asked her name and she replied 'I am the immaculate conception'. Since these appearances, Lourdes has become a great place of pilgrimage for Catholics and many healing miracles are alleged to have taken place there. **Walsingham:** This village in Norfolk, England is known as the English Nazareth. In 1061, the lady of the manor had a vision of the Virgin Mary and her home in Nazareth and Mary ordered the lady to build a copy of Mary's home. The house was eventually built and became a popular pilgrimage site when it became impossible for Christian pilgrims to get to the Holy Land because of Muslim conquests. The shrine contained a statue of the Virgin Mary and a phial which was supposed to contain milk from Mary's breasts. Many healings and visions were supposed to happen at the shrine. It is an important place of pilgrimage because: - It helps Christians feel close to the Virgin Mary - It is a place of spiritual healing - Prayers are answered - It brings together Catholics and Anglicans as it is important for both of them **lona:** lona is a small island just off the west coast of Scotland. St Columba, an Irish abbot, arrived there in 563CE and established a monastery to train missionaries to convert Scotland to Christianity. The monastery contained the relics of St Columba, but was destroyed by Henry VIII during the Reformation. The abbey was restored in the 1930s by a Protestant minister from Glasgow. **Taizé:** Another important place to visit is a monastic order in a small village of Taize in central France. It was founded by Roger Schutz in 1940. Today it has over 100 members and thousands of pilgrims visit to share in the community´s way of life. They are devoted to peace and there is an emphasis on music and chanting. *** ### 5. Religious Celebrations **Specification:** Christian religious celebrations: the nature and history of Christian festivals in the church year, including Christmas and Easter; the significance of celebrating Advent and Christmas; the significance of celebrating Holy Week and Easter, with reference to interpretations of 1 Corinthians 15:12-34. **The Passion:** Christians call the last days of Jesus life, particularly the suffering he endured - The Passion. The word passion comes form a Latin word that means suffering. In the Christian calendar this particular week leading up to Easter is often referred to as Holy week, the events that occurred were recorded in the Gospels. The Church year is divided up by various festivals and seasons. Some, like Christmas Day, happen on the same date every year, while others move around within a range of dates. The main festival that moves is Easter, and since many other festivals have their dates fixed in relation to Easter, they move with it. There are many festivals such as Harvest, Pentecost, Trinity Sunday but Easter and Christmas are the two central festivals. Christmas is the less significant of the two main festivals of Easter and Christmas. **Advent** **When is Advent?** 1st December - 24th December. Christians refer to the four weeks leading up to Christmas as 'Advent', which means 'coming'. **What is Advent?** Advent is a time of spiritual preparation for Christians when they: - Reflect and look to the future; - think about Jesus' incarnation; - focus on the second coming of Jesus; - read passages from the Bible that recount the birth and coming of the messiah **How is it celebrated?** Advent is celebrated by singing carols, advent candles, advent calendars, decorating Christmas trees, a nativity scene. **Christmas:** **When is Christmas?** Christmas happens on the 25th of December. This date was chosen as it was the same as a traditional pagan feast (Saturnalia) around that time to worship the sun during the winter solstice (the shortest day of the year) **What is Christmas?** Christmas remembers Jesus' birth and celebrates the incarnation, the representation in human form of God's son. It is also a time of thanksgiving. Christians believe that, through Jesus Christ, God gave himself to the world to make things better for humans. **How is it celebrated?** Christmas is celebrated by both Christians and non-Christians and mark it as a public holiday. People sing carols which remind people of Jesus' humility. Many secular (non-religious) activities have grown up around this, such as a large family meal and sending cards. Gifts are given to remind that Jesus was God´s gift to the world. **Significance:** Celebrates the incarnation and shows that the power of sin has been cancelled so Christians can have a relationship with God. It unites Christians, regardless of colour, ethnicity or culture. Shows the importance of the family. *Luke 2 - "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.... So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger."* **Lent:** **When is Lent?** 40 days before Easter Sunday. It begins on Ash Wednesday **What is Lent?** Lent is a time of spiritual preparation for Easter. Lent is a solemn occasion for Christians. It is a time of repentance and humility. It recalls that Jesus was tested by the Devil in the wilderness before he began preaching. **How is it celebrated?** Some Christians give up something they enjoy for Lent. Others do fundraising or charity work. **Easter:** **When is Easter?** 325CE the Council of Nicaea created a mathematical formula to standardise the celebration date. Since then, Easter Sunday has been celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon of the spring season. There is a strong connection between these two festivals because Passover is thought to have taken place between the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. The Gospels suggest that the Last Supper was a Passover meal. **What is Easter?** Easter takes place at the end of HOLY WEEK, which commemorates the series of events leading up to Jesus' death. **EASTER celebrates Jesus' death and resurrection.** A belief in the resurrection of Jesus and those who follow him is central to the Christian faith. Christianity is founded on the belief that Jesus was resurrected. **Holy Week:** - **Palm Sunday - ** Holy Week begins with Jesus entering into Jerusalem. - **Maundy Thursday ** - The day on which the Last Supper took place. - **Good Friday** -The day on which Jesus was crucified - **Holy Saturday** - The last day of Lent and the day before Easter Sunday - **Easter Sunday** - The day which Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus After the sadness of Good Friday, Easter Sunday is a very joyful day. Most Christians celebrate and take part in the Eucharist. They remember the salvation bought by Jesus. Easter reminds Christians that there is life after death and that with God all things are possible. Easter is also seen as a time of new beginnings, and the idea of a new life in Jesus. **Significance** - Celebrates the resurrection, which proves the identity of Jesus - that he truly is the son of God. - It is the final part of the work of Jesus; forgiving of sins and reconnecting with Jesus - Proves there is life after death - Shows Christians that Jesus is alive through the Church - Celebrates Jesus´ victory over death and evil **Demonstrates God´s omni-benevolence as he brought Jesus back from the dead** *1 Corinthians - 26 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 28 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 29 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. 2º But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.* The passage demonstrates that Christ has died for our sins and that he was resurrected on the third day. It also demonstrates that it is through Him that we can gain salvation. *** ### 6. The future of the Church **Specification:** The future of the Christian Church: Church growth, the history and purpose of missionary and evangelical work including reference to Mark 16:9-20 and John 20: 21-22; divergent ways this is put into practice by Church locally, nationally and globally; Christian attitudes of why evangelical work is important for the Church and for individual Christians church with a lower case 'c' means the church building. Church with a capital 'C' means the Church community - the people who make up the church. **Great commission:** Jesus' last command to his disciples to go out and convert the world **Evangelisation:** seeking to convert to Christianity **Missionary:** a person sent on a religious mission, especially one sent to promote Christianity in a foreign country. A missionary is a person sent by a Church into an area to bring people into the Christian Church. **Evangelical work** is proclaiming the message of Christianity with the aim of converting people to Christianity. So the purpose is to convert the world to Christianity. Christians carry out missionary work because this was the last command of Jesus to his disciples. *Mark 16 - He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.* *John 20-Again Jesus said, 'Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you'. And with that he breathed on them and said 'Receive the Holy Spirit'.* This is known as **The Great Commission** where Jesus told his followers to spread His word. This is also known as spreading the Gospel (the good news). **Locally** Churches help local communities in many ways such as offering food banks and classes for children (see later section on the local church). **Nationally** The **Alpha course** aims to introduce non-churchgoers to the basics of the Christian faith through a series of talks and discussions **Scripture Union** works in partnership with individuals and churches to use the Bible to inspire children and young people to come to know God. In the UK it uses social media such as YouTube and Facebook to bring the Christian message to those outside the Churches **Globally** Many **Evangelical Christians** have dedicated themselves to global evangelism. Some Churches have tried to send missionaries to every ethnic group in the world. Western mission efforts have become more sensitive to the cultures of the people who are taking their message. The Catholic Church also organises missionary work throughout the world. They aim to teach, work with monks and nuns, build chapels, churches, orphanages and schools **The Church of England:** For **Anglican Christians** God's mission is about transformation - transforming Individual lives, transforming communities and transforming the world. As we follow Jesus Christ, we believe that God's mission is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit in three ways: - through the Bible - through the tradition and life of the Church - through our own listening, praying, thinking and sharing as we respond to our own context. *Lambeth Conference 1998 - "Mission goes out from God, Mission is God's way of loving and saying the world..."* **Roman Catholic Church:** In **Catholic World Mission** they believe in alleviating suffering, illuminating the mind, and igniting the Spirit. They accomplish our goal through four pillars of work in : - Dignified Living - Disaster Relief - Education - Evangelization **Should Christians evangelise the local area?** The Church teaches that parishes should take part in evangelical work as a reflection of the example and teaching of Jesus as Jesus said 'As the Father has sent me, I am sending you' John 20:21. Many people are in spiritual and physical need in society, the Church community can provide faith and show love to them which enriches life and draw people closer to Christ. This reflects the need of the Church to provide physical and spiritual support for people as they bring them into the faith. It is a natural human trait to share good news as a result, it is inevitable that Christians will want their friends and loved ones to know God'. Jesus explains in Mark that people that do not believe will be condemned so it is natural that Christians would want their friends and family to believe in God so that they too can be saved. **Christian attitudes for global missionary (converting others globally)** Most conservative and evangelical Christians believe that missionary and evangelical work is very important because: - The Great Commission of Jesus told Christians it was their duty to bring the world to the Christian faith - It is a way of sharing God's love - Non-Christians can only have their sins forgiven by becoming a Christian - People who don't believe won't go to heaven - They are concerned about the decline in the religion ** Christian attitudes against global missionary (converting others globally)** Many liberal Christians feel that missionary and evangelical work is no longer important because: - We live in a multi-faith society so trying to convert others is a form of discrimination - Very few Christians have done research into and understand other religions so they cannot say for sure that they are wrong. - There are many problems with missionary work overseas, especially that people in less developed countries may resent missionaries, seeing them as a new form of colonisation - The most important message is to love God and love thy neighbour; telling someone their religion is wrong is not loving - Jesus taught to worship humbly and in private. We should focus on our personal relationship with God. *** ### 7. The role of the local church **Specification:** The role and importance of the local church in the local community: how and why it helps the individual believer and the local area; local parish activities, including interpretations of 1 Peter 5:1-4, ecumenism, outreach work, the centre of Christian identity and worship through living practices. **Parish:** an area having its own church and clergy **Ecumenism:** movement working for cooperation between the Churches and eventual Church unity **Church:** with a lower case 'c' means the place of worship for Christians, with a capital 'C' means the community of believers. **A local Christian church is important because it is the focal point of Christian identity and worship:** - Where people go to show their devotion to God - Special services held for festivals, e.g. midnight mass at Christmas - Offer sacraments to the people - Provides marriage services - Provide discussion and prayer groups - Gives Christians a sense of belonging - Provides youth groups for children - Provides soup kitchens for homeless people **Outreach work:** Outreach is an activity of providing services to any populations who might not otherwise have access to those services **The parish church is also involved in outreach work:** - Giving advice to couples have problems - Providing financial support - Helping immigrants with language and integration - Holding services in languages other than English - Supporting social justice charities to help people in poverty - Helping with homeless charities and food banks *1 Peter 5 - 'To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ's sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them-not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.'* This demonstrates that Christians should help others not because they have to but because they want to. Christians should be shepherds of God´s flock which means that they should lead members of the Church. **Ecumenism:** Churches often come together to form relationships and work together. They have joint activities and learn about and from each other. This is called ecumenism. They believe that churches should not be separate but they should work together. Different denominations (branches of Christianity such as Catholic or Protestant), despite their differences, should work together to spread God´s word. The World Council of Churches is a worldwide inter-church organisation which includes many different Christian denominations. They want to fulfil together their common calling to glory of God. *** ### 8. The role and importance of the Church in the worldwide community **Specification:** The role and importance of the Church in the worldwide community: how and why it works for reconciliation and the problems faced by the persecuted Church; divergent Christian responses to teachings about charity, including 1 Corinthians 13 and Matthew 25:31-46; the work of Christian Aid, what it does and why. **Reconciliation:** a sacrament in the Catholic Church; also, the restoring of harmony after relationships have broken down. **Persecution:** hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of race, or political or religious beliefs. **Agape -Pure Love, selfless love, benevolence** **Charity work** Christians believe that they should act out of agape which means selfless love. This means that they should help others selflessly, rather than wanting a reward. Organisations like Christian Aid are working hard to end world poverty. Christians believe it is their duty to work for social justice. *1 Corinthians 13:1-2 'Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.'* This quotation clearly demonstrates that without charity and helping others 'I am nothing'. This could show that charity is one of the most important deeds of a Christian. *Proverbs 19:17 'One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, And He will repay him for his good deed.'* This also demonstrates that Christians should give to charity and they will be repaid in heaven. *Matthew 25- The parable of the sheep and the goats - 37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?"40 "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' 42 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'* The Parable of the sheep and the goats demonstrates that good deeds are crucial to get to heaven.