Question 1

What is the mission of the Church?

Accepted Answer

The mission of the Church, often called the 'Missio Dei', is to continue the work of Jesus Christ on Earth. This includes proclaiming the Gospel (evangelism), worshipping God, nurturing believers through sacraments and teaching, and serving others through acts of charity and justice. The Church's mission is rooted in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and Jesus' example of healing, feeding, and caring for the marginalized.

Question 2

How does the Church help the poor?

Accepted Answer

The Church helps the poor through a range of activities, both locally and globally. Locally, many churches run food banks, homeless shelters, and debt advice services. Globally, Christian charities like Christian Aid and CAFOD provide emergency relief, long-term development projects, and campaign for fair trade and debt cancellation. This work is motivated by Jesus' teaching in Matthew 25:35-40, where he identifies with the hungry, thirsty, and imprisoned.

Question 3

Why do some Christians face persecution?

Accepted Answer

Christians face persecution for various reasons, including living in countries where Christianity is a minority religion or where religious freedom is restricted. Persecution can take the form of discrimination, violence, or even martyrdom. Some Christians are targeted because they evangelize or refuse to renounce their faith. The New Testament, especially 1 Peter, encourages Christians to endure suffering for their beliefs, seeing it as a share in Christ's sufferings.

Question 4

What is the difference between the Church as a building and the Church as a community?

Accepted Answer

In Christianity, 'the Church' primarily refers to the community of believers, not the physical building. The building is simply a place where the community gathers for worship and activities. The Church as a community is described in the Bible as the 'Body of Christ' (1 Corinthians 12), where each member has a role. This distinction is important because it emphasizes that the Church's mission is carried out by people, not just in a building.

Question 5

How does the Church promote reconciliation?

Accepted Answer

The Church promotes reconciliation by working to heal divisions between individuals, groups, and nations. This includes initiatives like restorative justice programs, peacebuilding in conflict zones, and interfaith dialogue. For example, the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, inspired by Christian principles, helped heal apartheid-era wounds. The Church's teaching on forgiveness, based on Jesus' command to forgive others (Matthew 6:14-15), underpins this work.

Question 6

What is evangelism and why is it important?

Accepted Answer

Evangelism is the act of sharing the Christian Gospel with others, with the aim of leading them to faith in Jesus Christ. It is important because Christians believe that Jesus is the only way to salvation (John 14:6) and that they are commanded to 'make disciples of all nations' (Matthew 28:19). Evangelism can take many forms, from personal conversations to large-scale crusades, and is often combined with social action to demonstrate God's love in practical ways.

The work of the Church

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