Images of the Church

Image for the church that teaches that God has called together all PEOPLE in Jesus Christ to be his PEOPLE.

• People of God

• Body of Christ

How can someone become a member of the People of God?

• Through baptism which is an expression of their faith in Christ.

• God is seen as father, Christ as our elder brother, Mary our mother and we are all brothers and sisters in the love of Jesus.

Christ is the head and we as members are the Mystical (spiritual) Body. As members we are all important and form a close-knit community. If one member is injured or hurt it affects us all.

There is a strong emphasis on the relationship of all the members of the body, diversity and equality within unity.

• Body of Christ

• People of God

Christ so loved the church that he died for her. He is joined in a covenant of love to her. He constantly cares for her and gives her gifts.

• Bride of Christ

• People of God

What the soul is to the human body, the Holy Spirit is to the Body of Christ which is the church; the Holy Spirit makes the Church 'the temple of the living God'.

This means that we are also a temple of God

• Temple of the Holy Spirit

• Bride of Christ

Christ is the foundation or cornerstone and Christians are the stones or "bricks" that are built into this temple.

• Building or Temple

• Temple of the Holy Spirit

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who knowns and watches over his sheep and give his life for them. The sheep know his voice and follow him.

• Flock

• Vineyard

Through Jesus the members of the Church will live and grow. Members must keep a close relationship with Christ in order to be fruitful.

• Vineyard

• Flock

The seed and beginning of the Kingdom are the "little flock" of those whom Jesus came to gather around him. The Lord Jesus endowed his community with a structure that will remain until the Kingdom is fully achieved.

• Kingdom

• Vineyard

Mary is the best image of the Church. Mary believed and responded to God all her life. She was close to Jesus and always open to what God wanted. She was a perfect follower of Christ. Mary exhibits the qualities of humility, obedience, love and compassion which should be found in the Church.

• Mary

• Christ