The nave: is the body of the church the congregation are placed on the pews. The nave holds the features like the font, pulpit and lectern.
Hymn number boards: are made out of wooden board within the nave for the service. There used to display the necessary numbers for the hymns.
The pulpit: is a raised platform in the nave; it’s used so the whole church can hear what’s been said. The pulpit is made of wood and stone.
Communion Rail: is placed in front of the congregation. They must kneel to receive communion. It’s placed between the chancel and sanctuary. Anyone can kneel before the rail a blessing is not needed.
The sanctuary and chancel: is the area in front of the altar. The clergy and choir sit here. The pews are placed in between the altar and congregation.
Stain glass windows: are windows, which are specially made by the church, different coloured glass is often used to show scenes from the bible. They are presented well and often Christ is show.
Some churches have graveyards outside the church normally these are the graves of important people in the church like bishops.
Analyse the role and function of a priest or minister.
Ministers in a church play a very big role. A minister is a very important member of the church. A minister has many responsibilities and in the following I will mention the duties the minister has to fulfil. All the evidence I gained was from a minister called Reverend Steve Whitmore.
Ministry only works as a team. Teamwork must be used to enable a good image of the church. The ministers are people who must communicate the vision accurately, visually and passionately. They must mobilise believers. The success of ministers isn’t measured in how many faithfully attend activities and events but by how many is becoming fully devoted and obedient followers of Christ.
A minister must do the following to keep the church running smoothly. They must give time for regular prayer and readings. Ministers often have to plan what they will say in service, as they have to portray God’s words so they aren’t misleading. Ministers have duties to supervise others and get to know the church community well. Ministers visit people who need help with personal and spiritual problems. This can some times people just feeling lonely or who need reassuring.
Ministers often have to support various charities and organisations to show there for the people in need. Ministers regularly go and visit the ill and pray with and for them to assure there not alone, as God has and always will be with them.
The minister is responsible for administrative work and also in leading others into mission to help the community. The word ministry is known to mean serve and all Christians are called to serve God in one way or another. However becoming a minister has its set backs as there are any financial problems and materialistic things don’t mean anything any more. Also becoming a minister involves moving around a lot and also sacrificing many aspects of your life.
Ministers are not forced to wear a dog collar some do and some don’t but they are worn at services. Some believe they are more approachable if they aren’t wearing one. Also celibacy is another aspect of ministry, it has been argued if not being celibate is a distraction to the work. But in the end it’s up to personal opinions.
Analyse and explain the role and function of the church in the local community.
The church plays a big role in the community. The church organises many events. There is something for everyone the church is an all rounder. Everyone welcome there is no outsider. The church organises clubs like scouts and brownies. These clubs are for young girls and boys. They hold many activities and include simple first aid activities there both fun and educational these are useful as they keep children occupied.
The church is also known for organising charities and fundraisers for those who’re less fortunate and to provide for the church. The church holds services and bible reading also there is Sunday school for youngsters who want to know more about Christianity. These help boost Christianity and also help children increase their knowledge.
During Christmas and Easter meals are made for the homeless and extra services are held so people can come together. There are shelters provided for the homeless and food and compulsory supplies are given to the less fortunate. This helps people get together and spreads kindness.
To keep the teenagers happy and out of trouble there’s youth clubs. This is where young people can stay and relax without getting in trouble. Many clubs and activities take place. To keep the mothers happy there are mother and toddler groups. This is when all the mum’s can get together drink tea and complain about the kids. This is very popular and keeps both the mums and toddlers happy. For single parents there are clubs, which can help with the upbringing.
The duty of the church is to also preach to other about Christianity this is done by regular leaflets been given out. Also the duty of the church is to check on the people with health problems so it’s important poorly people are visited quite frequently.
For different people there are different sessions so therefore the church holds lurgical and non-lurgical ceremonies. Christianity is portrayed in many ways without changing the original meaning. It’s just in some forms it appeals to some more then others.
The church will also be there to celebrate religious events and spread the joy of Christianity. For those Christians who want to pray and find out more about there religion. The church is the key place. For those who have committed crimes and wish to repent the church is there and those who just want to talk they can go in to the church and there will be people who will be happy to listen. The church is ideal for those who aren’t Christians as well because they have a place they can go when there feeling lonely. The church is part of the community.
So overall the churches role is to ensure that they can try and help the less fortunate, spread the word of god through kindness. Like Jesus they try to help others and they play a big part in peoples life’s to ensure they can cope. A lot of people depend on the church so the church is carrying on the work of Jesus so its role and function is to keep Jesus alive and that’s why the Eucharist is celebrated. I have enclosed a leaflet which the church gives out to inform the public of events.
(The leaflet you gave me goes here)
You don’t need to go to church to become a good Christian.
Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view. Your answer should refer to Christian teaching.
To either agree or disagree with the statement above I need to state what I think a good or bad Christian is. I believe a good Christian is whom who follows the teachings of Jesus. Tries his up most to follow in the steps of Jesus helps others. A good Christian must lead his life the way God has asked and follow the Ten Commandments, which are:
- Worship one god only,
- No images of god,
- No misuse of gods’ name,
- Keep the Sabbath day holy,
- Respect parents,
- No murder,
- No adultery,
- No stealing,
- No lying,
10) No coveting.
The teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, which can be found in (matthew5-7), should also be followed.
To answer this question fairly I will have to address both sides of the statement.
The reasons, which the statements can be true or false, are as follows:
It’s not necessary to go to church, as God is everywhere. If you were to pray to God it’s not important to visit the church. When a person is praying it’s between them and God no one else is involved. Therefore there is no need to be in church whilst praying.
To further this if you don’t attend church it doesn’t mean you can’t follow the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments can be followed in everyday life. There are ways to follow the teachings of Jesus as you do your social activities you can show you’re a Christian by socialising with the neighbours by inviting them around. You can also help people in charities or anyone who needs help you can be the Good Samaritan.
Although if a person doesn’t attend church they can still show they are Christians. As we know not all the work of a church is done in a church. Churches organise many events within their towns to help others and encourage Christianity. They can get involved in them and do all the duties expected within the role.
To argue this case in response I could say God may be everywhere but a Church is the community where Christians carry on the work of Jesus. For this to work Christians must attend church in order to present Christianity as solid. If everyone was to attend church they would be a good e.g. to each other.
Also I believe a person who is attending a church doesn’t get greater award then those who don’t. In some circumstances like in countries where there isn’t enough money to build a church people still prey and the way of worshipping in Christianity is universal.
Jesus is remembered in the Holy Communion it is difficult to keep these memories alive in one doesn’t attends church.
If a person were to attend church and prey they would be able to increase their knowledge with each other’s experiences with God. They would be able to enjoy Christianity together. If a person would not attend the church they wouldn’t be able to take part in the sacraments. The sacraments are important in the working of the church and by not attending you may not be fulfilling the tasks of Christianity.
To my conclusion I believe it’s up to the person weather they want to attend church. Although “a church is built for recognition as a place of worship” it’s not necessary to attend church to do this. To most people being a Christian is personal. In the time of Jesus there was no such thing as a church and people still managed to prey. Some people prefer to attend church, as they feel closer to God. But every person has a different relationship with God. I personally favour worshiping at home as I feel more confident and find it easier to prey. So the statement is neither true nor false. Also as God is omnipresent it doesn’t matter where you pray or what you do because god will always now your initial thoughts and intentions. Also I would like to add people who attend church aren’t always good Christians they may be murders and only attend church one day a week and the rest of the week don’t follow Christianity. So hence I believe you can be a good Christian wherever you go as long as your intentions are good.
