Ecclesiology investigates the nature and structure of the church as the gathered community within which sacraments are properly ministered and faith is nurtured. The domain addresses interrelated questions: who holds authority to lead worship and administer sacraments (ordained clergy or lay participants); how this authority is conferred through ordination; and how the earthly church relates to the heavenly communion of saints across time. These questions matter because they shape how Christians practise their faith, understand their spiritual responsibility, and experience connection to a tradition that transcends this life. ## Concepts *1 full, 7 stubs* - [[Ordained Ministry]]: “The role of clergy set apart by ordination to lead worship, proclaim the gospel, and administer sacraments in the church.” ### Stubs - [[Church Militant and Triumphant]]: “The theological distinction between the church on earth engaged in spiritual struggle and the church in heaven in eternal victory.” - [[Communion of Saints]]: “Participating in worship that connects worshippers across centuries with angels, martyrs, and the heavenly church.” - [[Ecclesiastical Authority]]: “The theological and pastoral questions regarding who holds authority to speak and act in the church, particularly in sacramental matters.” - [[Ecclesiology]]: “The theology of the church as the gathered community within which sacraments are properly ministered and faith is nurtured.” - [[Godparents and Sponsors]]: “The role of godparents in standing as trustees of baptismal grace, nurturing the child in faith until they can assume responsibility themselves.” - [[Lay Participation in Liturgy]]: “The accessibility of Morning and Evening Prayer without requiring ordained clergy.” - [[Ordination and the Doctrine of Ministry]]: “The Ordinal’s definition of how ordained ministry is conferred through episcopal laying-on of hands and the theological significance of bishops.” ## Prominent Sources - *How to Use the Book of Common Prayer: A Guide to the Anglican Liturgy* (8 concepts) ## Selected Quotes > ‘There’s a rubric in the Communion service saying there has to be a sermon (p. 247).’ > > *How to Use the Book of Common Prayer: A Guide to the Anglican Liturgy*, p. 83 > ‘Note that some think only a priest can say the absolution. < Others think that when a priest isn’t present, the absolution + in Morning and Evening Prayer may be said by a deacon or lay person.’ > > *How to Use the Book of Common Prayer: A Guide to the Anglican Liturgy*, p. 33 ## Related Domains [[Biblical Theology]] (1 shared) · [[Liturgical Studies]] (1 shared) · [[Pastoral Theology]] (1 shared)