The Orthodoxy on Crimean Peninsula: the Church Structure in the New Geopolitical Situation

In examining the relationships between a state-recognized Protestant pastor and local bureaucrats, this article argues that church leaders in contemporary China are strategic in enhancing interactions with the local state as a way to produce greater space for religious activities. In contrast to the idea that the Three-Self church structure simply functions as a state-governing apparatus, this study suggests that closer connection to the state can, at times, result in less official oversight. State approval of Three-Self churches offers legitimacy to registered congregations and their leaders, but equally important is that by endorsing such groups, the state is encouraging dialogue, even negotiations between authorities and the church at local levels.

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The missional church structure and the priesthood of all believers (Ephesians 4:7�16) in the light of the inward and outward function of the church

Verbum et Ecclesia ◽

10.4102/ve.v38i1.1709 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 38 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Timothy A. Van Aarde

Keyword(s):

Kingdom Of God ◽

Missional Church ◽

Priesthood Of All Believers ◽

The West ◽

Church Structure ◽

The New Testament ◽

Institutional Church ◽

Church Structures ◽

And Function ◽

The Church

The missional church is a new consciousness which has been raised for the missionary sending of the church in the West to be a witness for the Kingdom of God in its own context. The missional church has returned mission to the centre of ecclesiology. A structural functioning of the missional church and its relation to existing church structures are essential to rescue the missional church from simply becoming the latest fad. The present missional church conversation in advocating for an organic church structure undermines existing institutional church structures. A dynamic functioning church structure in which the inward and outward dimensions of the church�s single ecclesiological structure are able to function in a cohesive unity is set out in Ephesians. The function of the gifted persons in the task of equipping of the believers to fulfil their missional calling, vocation and function is paramount to the healthy integration of the missional church model in existing mission and church paradigms and for it to function within the framework of existing church structures.Interdisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The article suggests that a dynamic unity exists between the ecclesiology of the church and missional structure and function of the church. The article explores interdisciplinary implications from the fields of the New Testament and missiology.

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ECCLESIOLOGICAL CONDITIONALITY OF THE AUTOCEPHALOUS SYSTEM OF THE UNIVERSAL ORTHODOXY

Sophia. Human and Religious Studies Bulletin ◽

10.17721/sophia.2020.15.3 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 12-17

Author(s):

Andriy Kobetіak

Keyword(s):

The State ◽

Natural State ◽

Byzantine Empire ◽

Ancient Rome ◽

Local Churches ◽

Church Management ◽

Political Bargaining ◽

Church Structure ◽

Church Law ◽

The Church

The article deals with one of the fundamental problems of the whole corps of the church law – autocephalous principle of the existence of the church. This problem drives the researchers' attention to the very essence of the existence of orthodoxy in general. The preaching of Christ and the Gospel leave no direct pointers of the internal organization of the church. The apostles make only the subtle hints to the administrative arrangement of the church in general. Their mission preaching and spreading the faith to all nations, however, they did not envisage any other administrative system than autocephaly. Church dogmas and canons, which regulate all aspects of the life of the Church, were formed during the heyday of Christianity in the Byzantine Empire. However, the significant politicization and dependence of the church on imperial power led to the proclamation of a number of canons that contradicted the original nature of the church. This also applies to autocephaly. Under the pressure of the state authorities, the primacy of honor together with ancient Rome is shared by the capital's Constantinople chair. The theory of the "Five Patriarchates" is be- ing formed, which are called to rule the world Orthodoxy. During the Ecumenical Councils, autocephaly was transformed from a basic and natural state of the Church existence into a certain privilege and a subject of political bargaining in the international arena.Despite the long process of forming the canonical and legal corps of Orthodoxy, there is no clear regulation of the procedure for proclaiming a new autocephalous church today. This led to significant misunderstandings and the termination of Eucharistic communion by a number of Local Churches after granting autocephalous status to the Ukrainian Church. Theological disputes over the very procedure of signing the Tomos still take place today. Besides theoretical justification, the internal church structure also has a practical value for the process of bestowing autocephaly on the new national Local Churches. This is relevant due to the struggle of a number of modern countries for the church independence and the Ecumenical recognition. Starting since the Byzantine Empire times, the state power has constantly imposed its own church management principle and methods, which often was going against traditions and canonical norms. Orthodox ecclesiology offers its own approach to church-administrative management. It is proved that merely the autocephalous system is the only acceptable option of the existence of the Universal Orthodoxy.

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The concept of sobornost’ and the problem of church authority in Russian theology late 19th — early 20th centuries

Issues of Theology ◽

10.21638/spbu28.2021.407 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 537-552

Author(s):

Vyacheslav A. Yachmenik ◽

Keyword(s):

Chronological Order ◽

Local Council ◽

Compassionate Love ◽

Church Authority ◽

Church Structure ◽

Theological Thought ◽

Academic Theology ◽

The Church

This article is devoted to the problematization of the idea of сhurch authority in Russian theology at the turn of the epochs, which is considered on the basis of the emergence and development of the concept of sobornost’. The reconstruction of the polemical context of A. Khomyakov allows the interpretation of the texts of which the concept of sobornost’ is included in theological thought. It also makes it possible to connect the problem of the authority of hierarchy with the idea of sobornost’ of the Church. In addition to the “Khomyakovsky” context, the author refers to three other authors, considered in chronological order. First, this concerns a collection of articles by Fr. A. Ivantsov-Platonov, in which he interprets the idea of sobornost’ designating it as an ideal characteristic of church structure. Here sobornost’ is associated with conciliar rule, which was not directly suggested by Khomyakov’s concept, and becomes a marker of (un)canonicity. Secondly, the author turns to the spiritual-academic theology at the beginning of the century, in which “sobornost’” is developed at two levels — institutional and mystical. This attempt receives the greatest meaningful development in the texts of Metropolitan Archbishop Antony (Khrapovitsky), who substantiates the authority of the hierarchy through the development of “personalistic” sobornost’ and the idea of the pastoral “compassionate love” for parishioners. Thirdly, the author considers the documents of the 1917–1918 Local Council in the focus of the connection between sobornost’ and church authority. It is concluded that the inclusion of the idea of sobornost’ into the context of academic theology leads to the formulation of the idea of the hierarchy’s authority, which was expressed in the construction of a new image of patriarchal ministry at the Council.

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KLASIS DALAM KRISIS: TINJAUAN EKLESIOLOGIS TERHADAP ATURAN MENGENAI KLASIS DALAM TATA GEREJA MASEHI INJILI DI TIMOR TAHUN 1999

10.31234/osf.io/kfhjg ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Liliya Wetangterah

Keyword(s):

True Nature ◽

Religious Plurality ◽

Church Structure ◽

Church Life ◽

Triune God ◽

Missionary Church ◽

The Church ◽

The Trinity

The Church’s self-understanding will help the church to organize herself optimally. The understanding cannot be separated from the Trinity. Therefore, this paper uses the communion approach proposed by John D. Zizoulas to understand the Trinitarian nature of the church. The Trinity is three persons who life in communion, based on equality and respect for differences. As the Trinity’s creation, church life and ministry are based on equal relations and respect for diversity.A creation of the Trinity, the Church is a complementary communion of the equals, that respects diversity. In this understanding, GMIT will be more aware of her true nature. GMIT is obligated to build communion not only in herself but also direct that communion outward. In other words, GMIT is by nature a missionary Church. Equality and respect for diversity are the spirit of GMIT as a missionary Church.As a missionary church, GMIT is also called by the triune God to live and serve in East Nusa Tenggara. The contexts of povery and religious plurality in East Nusa Tenggara are the challenges that GMIT needs to addres in her ministry. In addressing such challenges, GMIT needs direct all of her life, including her structure. GMIT also needs to preserve her identity while answering those challenges. Klasis in GMIT as an integral part of the church structure, enables GMIT to carry out her mission by preserving her identity faithful to the nature of GMIT as a communion inspired by equality and respect for diversity.

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The Caucasian Territorial Churches and the Sāsānid Commonwealth

Восток Афро-Азиатские общества история и современность ◽

10.31857/s086919080017082-7 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 82

Author(s):

Frank Schleicher

Keyword(s):

Power Factor ◽

The State ◽

Seventh Century ◽

Sixth Century ◽

Financial Resources ◽

Local Power ◽

Central Administration ◽

Contact Person ◽

Church Structure ◽

The Church

At the beginning of the sixth century, the kingships in Caucasian Iberia and Albania were eliminated by the Sāsānids. Thus, the system of vassal kings that served well for centuries was suddenly replaced by direct rule across the board. In this study, we want to ask why this change suddenly became possible. For the Sāsānian administration always needed a central contact person in the countries who could control the local nobility. It is striking that the establishment of a strong church structure always preceded the end of kingship. This can be seen particularly well in the example of Armenia, whose kingship had already been eliminated a century earlier. It is therefore reasonable to assume that after the end of kingship in Armenia as well as in Iberia and Albania, the regional churches took over its central functions of cooperation with the Sāsānian central administration. Now the church served the administration as an important local power factor, and allowed it he control of the powerful dynastic clans. Despite occasional conflicts, the churches cooperated with the Sāsānids and they were able to benefit greatly from this cooperation. Their advantages consisted in access to financial resources and, above all, in strengthening their position of power vis-à-vis the leaders of the local noble clans. Ecclesiastical power reached its peak when the Katholikoi finally also led their countries politically, as Kiwrion did in the case of Iberia at the beginning of the seventh century. Thus, the church became the state-forming institution in the Caucasian countries.

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Sejarah, Bentuk dan Makna Arsitektur Gereja GPIB Bethel Bandung

Jurnal Lektur Keagamaan ◽

10.31291/jlk.v14i2.505 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 347

Author(s):

Masmedia Pinem

Keyword(s):

Basic Needs ◽

Church History ◽

Art Deco ◽

Protestant Church ◽

Church Structure ◽

Developed World ◽

The Village ◽

The Church ◽

World Development

This article attempts to describe the history, together with the characteristic architecture of GPIB Bethel. GPIB is the abbreviation of the ‘Protestant Church in Western Indonesia’. Built in Bandung, in 1948, it is located in Jalan Wastukencana 1, in the Village of Babakan Ciamis, Sub District of Sumur Bandung, City of Bandung. This type of church structure was designed by Schoemaker, a Dutch architect, who combined and syintisized between basic needs, concepts, and values of each genre that came from developed world archictecture in that time. The model was already well-known as an “essential expression” of European Chris-tianity. Exsisted Elements of church was adapted from world development architecture in that era. The elements of mass and figure have been des-cribed as spiritual manifestations of Christianity. There is perhaps an element of art deco its architectural decoration. The church of Bethel is now a building categorized as ‘A’, meaning that it is to be conserved in its models and functions, prohibited by law from any changes to its functions - it is now a legally protected part of the Indonesian legacy. Keywords: Church, History, Type, Architecture, Bandung. Artikel ini ingin menggambarkan sejarah, bentuk, dan arsitektur Gereja GPIB Bethel. GPIB adalah singkatan dari Gereja Protestan di Indonesia bagian Barat, berdiri sejak tahun 1948 dan terletak di Jalan Wastukencana No. 1, Kelurahan Babakan Ciamis, Kecamatan Sumur Bandung, Kotamadya Bandung. Model arsitektur yang didesain oleh Schoemaker seorang arsitek Belanda yang merupakan sintesis dari kebutuhan, konsep, dan nilai-nilai yang dimiliki oleh masing-masing aliran-aliran dalam perkembangan arsitektur dunia sebagai produk arsitektur pada zamannya yang merupakan “essential expression” bagi kekristenan di Eropa. Elemen-elemen yang ada merupakan adaptasi dari pengaruh zaman yang berkembang saat itu. Elemen pada tatanan massa dan ruang serta elemen pelingkup ruang yang dijumpai memiliki makna kerohanian sebagai perwujudan nilai-nilai Kristianitas. Begitu juga elemen-elemen dekoratifnya merupakan suatu produk zaman yang dipengaruhi oleh arsitektur art deco yang sangat berkembang pada zaman itu. Gereja ini adalah termasuk salah satu tipe bangunan yang berkualitas ‘A’ dan telah dikonservasi tanpa perubahan bentuk dan fungsi yang signifikan, sehingga ia termasuk dalam kategori bangunan Cagar Budaya yang dilindungi oleh Undang-Undang. Kata Kunci: Gereja, Sejarang, Bentuk, Arsitektur, Bandung.

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KLASIS DALAM KRISIS: TINJAUAN EKLESIOLOGIS TERHADAP ATURAN MENGENAI KLASIS DALAM TATA GEREJA MASEHI INJILI DI TIMOR TAHUN 1999

10.31219/osf.io/qmycr ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Liliya Wetangterah

Keyword(s):

True Nature ◽

Religious Plurality ◽

Church Structure ◽

Church Life ◽

Triune God ◽

Missionary Church ◽

The Church ◽

The Trinity

The Church’s self-understanding will help the church to organize herself optimally. The understanding cannot be separated from the Trinity. Therefore, this paper uses the communion approach proposed by John D. Zizoulas to understand the Trinitarian nature of the church. The Trinity is three persons who life in communion, based on equality and respect for differences. As the Trinity’s creation, church life and ministry are based on equal relations and respect for diversity.A creation of the Trinity, the Church is a complementary communion of the equals, that respects diversity. In this understanding, GMIT will be more aware of her true nature. GMIT is obligated to build communion not only in herself but also direct that communion outward. In other words, GMIT is by nature a missionary Church. Equality and respect for diversity are the spirit of GMIT as a missionary Church.As a missionary church, GMIT is also called by the triune God to live and serve in East Nusa Tenggara. The contexts of povery and religious plurality in East Nusa Tenggara are the challenges that GMIT needs to addres in her ministry. In addressing such challenges, GMIT needs direct all of her life, including her structure. GMIT also needs to preserve her identity while answering those challenges. Klasis in GMIT as an integral part of the church structure, enables GMIT to carry out her mission by preserving her identity faithful to the nature of GMIT as a communion inspired by equality and respect for diversity.

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Polish Church Hierarchy and the Holocaust – an Essay from a Critical Perspective

Zagłada Żydów. Studia i Materiały ◽

10.32927/zzsim.121 ◽

2010 ◽

pp. 76-127

Author(s):

Dariusz Libionka

Keyword(s):

Critical Perspective ◽

Knowledge Based ◽

Church Hierarchy ◽

Church Structure ◽

The Holocaust ◽

Individual Actions ◽

Anti Jewish ◽

The Church ◽

Immediate Reactions ◽

Pope Pius Xii

The text deals with the attitudes of the Polish Catholic hierarchy towards the Holocaust. It describes the activities undertaken for the benefit of converts during in 1940–1941, how higher clergy perceived anti-Jewish incidents in Warsaw (spring 1940) and murders of the Jews in the Łomża region (summer 1941), and finally the immediate reactions of the bishops to the Holocaust on Polish territory. Particularly important is the explanation of the reasons why the extermination of the Jews was not mentioned in correspondence with the Vatican (Pope Pius XII and the Secretariat of State) during 1942–1943. Due to Adam Sapieha’s position in the Church structure during the occupation, the figure of the Archbishop of Cracow is the focus. The text also analyzes statements concerning the Jews and the Holocaust by the hierarchs outside Poland (Primate August Hlond and Bishop Karol Radoński). The text also discusses the attitude of the Church hierarchy’s representatives towards organized and individual actions to help the Jews. The author’s aim is to summarize existing knowledge based on Church sources (Polish and Vatican) available to researchers and documents of Polish underground, and to identify controversies present in the hitherto interpretations, as well as the directions and limitations of further investigationinto the matter

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H.J. Spijker (1802-1870). Een Kennismaking

Nederlands Archief voor Kerkgeschiedenis / Dutch Review of Church History ◽

10.1163/002820392x00608 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 81 (1) ◽

pp. 46-69

Author(s):

M.J. Aalders

Keyword(s):

Nineteenth Century ◽

Executive Committee ◽

Church And State ◽

Reformed Church ◽

Church Structure ◽

Liberal Attitude ◽

Ardent Supporter ◽

The Church

AbstractH. J. Spijker (1801-1870) was one of the most important liberal administrators of the Nederlandse Hervormde Kerk (Netherlands Reformed Church) of the second half of the nineteenth century. He was first heard of in a discussion about a revision of the 'Algemeen Reglement van de Nederlandse Hervormde Kerk' (The constitution of the church). In this discussion he proved to be an ardent supporter of a more democratic church structure. In 1852, Spijker became a member of the 'Algemene Synodale Commissie', the Synod's executive committee. Being in favour of the separation of Church and State he played an important role in 1853 by urging for moderation when relations between Protestants and Catholics were severely tried, owing to the restoration of the Catholic hierarchy (1853). This did not make him beloved by all. As a result he lost his position in the organisation; he returned in 1860 in the national church council, however, first as chairman of the Synod and a year later as chairman of the 'Algemene Synodale Commissie'. His most important contribution again had to do with a more democratic church structure. In 1852 this liberal attitude brought him into contact with J.R. Thorbecke, who found a position for him in the 'Departement van Eredienst'. When he died in 1870 the separation of Church and State, as laid down in the constitution of 1848, was almost completely realised. Spijker's contribution had been considerable.

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