Religious Structures of Christianity
Christianity has been practiced for centuries and its theological beliefs have been discussed, developed and refined over time. The most familiar face of Christianity is its religious leadership, from religious officials to the laity. Christianity encompasses a range of traditions, doctrines and practices and the way it is organized varies greatly from one denomination to another.
Scripture
The primary source of authority for Christianity is the Bible. It is the source of doctrine and is seen as infallible and authoritative in matters of faith and practice. The authority of Scripture is upheld by internal explanations and by external understanding including tradition, logic and reason. It is through the consistent interpretation of scriptural principles that most denominations form their beliefs and practices.
Clergy and Religious Officials
The role of a clergy is to be a servant of God and a guardian of holy things. Clergy are those who have been ordained in the ministry and can take on various roles including preaching, teaching, leading worship, administering the sacraments and providing guidance and pastoral care. In addition to clergy, there are other religious officials such as lay readers and deacons who can also perform many of these roles.
Lay Leadership and Laity
The laity are all members of the Christian community who are not ordained in the ministry. Lay people have an important role in the religious leadership of Christianity, including contributing to the day-to-day life of the church through worship, learning activities, prayer, church management and evangelism.
Denominations
Christianity is divided into different denominations including Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Anglicanism and Protestantism. Each denomination has its own set of beliefs and practices and the way that its religious leadership is structured reflects these differences.
National Churches
In many countries, a national church, or ‘state church’, is established by the government in order to provide spiritual guidance for its population. These churches, such as the Church of England in the UK, often have a significant role in the religious life of the nation and are structured accordingly.
Evangelical Churches
Evangelical churches often place an emphasis on preaching and outreach. Many of the members of these churches are lay people who take part in a range of activities such as leading worship, evangelism and mission activities. In these churches, the role of the laity is often seen as essential to the health of the church and its ministry.
Non-denominational Churches
Non-denominational churches do not have a formal connection to any particular denomination but may draw inspiration from different traditions. These churches can be ministry-focused or evangelical in nature and lay leadership is often seen as central to the functioning of the church.
Congregations
Most denominations are made up of a variety of congregations and each congregation forms its own religious leadership structure. In smaller congregations, the clergy or religious official may take on most of the responsibility for the ministry of the church, but in larger congregations, lay leaders and laity can also play an important role in the life of the church.
Theological Schools
Theological schools provide education and training for those who wish to pursue a vocation in church ministry. These schools offer a range of courses which combine theological studies and practical experience to equip individuals for more effective service in their particular denomination and context.
Missional Churches
Missional churches are those which focus on engaging in outreach and evangelism activities. Those leading these churches often pursue a form of ‘missional leadership’ which seeks to equip and empower laity to take on leadership roles and to be actively involved in mission activities.
Synods and Conferences
Synods and conferences are bodies which meet periodically to discuss theological topics and to make decisions about the life of the church. These gatherings are attended by a range of people including clergy, religious officials, lay leaders and laity. Through such discussions, churches are able to discern God’s will and to come to agreements about how best to live out the Christian faith.
Governance of the Church
The way in which a church is governed and the nature of its religious leadership can have a deep impact on the church’s life and mission. Churches must ensure that the structures they have in place are conducive to nurturing spiritual growth, providing effective leadership and enabling members of the church to serve God with their whole hearts.
