a.
According to the chapter, what is the church and what is its purpose?
“The church is what God is doing in the world, The church is the divine work, the bride
of Christ, the gathered community of the redeemed,” [CITATION Ten12 \p 60 \l 1033 ].
The Church is a place for believers to come together and be part of what God is doing in
the world. This is a place of peace and holiness.
b.
Why is the word “holy” important for the church according to Dr. Tennent? What
kind of righteousness is God calling his church to have? Explain.
“To be holy means to be set apart,” [CITATION Ten12 \p 60 \l 1033 ]. God is calling the
church to have the righteousness of God. “Declared righteousness must become
embodied righteousness, wrought in us not by our own strength but through the power of
the living God,” [CITATION Ten12 \p 61 \l 1033 ].
c.
What is the difference between the Roman Catholic Church and the use of the word
catholic to describe the church in the creed? What does it mean for believers and
how we are connected to one another?
The word catholic means ‘universal,’ whereas the Roman Catholic Church is a religion.
In the creed it mentions that we must remember we are not Methodist, Baptist,
Presbyterians, or Pentecostals, that we are first Christians [ CITATION Ten12 \l 1033 ].
d.
Finally, explain why the Christian church is unique from other organizations? What
connection do you think the church was meant to have with doing “social
work”? How might you as a Christian social worker help the church increase its
impact?
This is difficult to answer, because growing up I only attended Christian Churches. My
papa was a Nazarene pastor. I never had the opportunity to experience different churches,
so I am uncertain what makes Christian churches unique. However, one thing I can say is
that a Christian church (at least the ones I have attended) are very welcoming of the
people that come. The Christian church does not care what your background is or what
you have done in your life, they will welcome you with arms wide open.
