Part I: Foundations of Ecclesiology

A. Nature and Definition of the Church

  1. Ecclesiology — Doctrine of the church
  2. Christian Church — General concept
  3. Church (building) — Sacred architecture
  4. Church (congregation) — Local assembly
  5. Body of Christ — Pauline metaphor
  6. Bride of Christ — Nuptial imagery
  7. People of God — Covenantal identity
  8. Temple of the Holy Spirit — Pneumatological dimension

B. Marks and Attributes of the Church

  1. Four Marks of the Church — Nicene characteristics
  2. One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church — Creedal formula
  3. Unity of the Church — Oneness
  4. Holiness of the Church — Sanctity
  5. Catholicity — Universality
  6. Apostolicity — Apostolic foundation
  7. Notes of the Church — Protestant additions

C. Theological Models of the Church

  1. Models of the Church — Dulles’s typology
  2. Church militant and church triumphant — Temporal divisions
  3. Visible church — Institutional body
  4. Invisible church — Spiritual body
  5. One true church — Exclusivist claims
  6. Branch theory — Multiple valid expressions

Part II: Church Governance and Polity

A. Models of Church Government

  1. Ecclesiastical polity — Governance systems
  2. Episcopal polity — Bishop-led
  3. Presbyterian polity — Elder-led
  4. Congregational polity — Local autonomy
  5. Connexionalism — Methodist model
  6. Ecclesiastical jurisdiction — Authority structures

B. Episcopal Structures

  1. Bishop — Overseer
  2. Archbishop — Metropolitan
  3. Patriarch — Senior bishop
  4. Pope — Bishop of Rome
  5. Cardinal — Prince of church
  6. Primate (bishop) — Chief bishop
  7. Apostolic succession — Episcopal continuity
  8. Historic episcopate — Traditional succession
  9. Laying on of hands — Ordination rite

C. Presbyterian and Reformed Structures

  1. Elder (Christianity) — Presbyter
  2. Teaching elder — Minister
  3. Ruling elder — Lay leader
  4. Deacon — Servant minister
  5. Session (church) — Local council
  6. Presbytery (church governance) — Regional body
  7. Synod — Assembly
  8. General Assembly (presbyterian church) — Highest court

D. Congregational and Baptist Structures

  1. Congregationalism — Local church autonomy
  2. Pastor — Shepherd
  3. Church meeting — Business assembly
  4. Covenant (religion) — Church covenant
  5. Association of churches — Voluntary cooperation
  6. Convention (meeting) — Denominational gathering

Part III: Ordained Ministry and Holy Orders

A. Concept of Ordination

  1. Ordination — Setting apart for ministry
  2. Holy orders — Sacramental ordination
  3. Priesthood (Catholic Church) — Ministerial priesthood
  4. Priesthood of all believers — Universal priesthood
  5. Minister (Christianity) — General term
  6. Clergy — Ordained persons
  7. Laity — Non-ordained faithful

B. Major Orders

  1. Bishop in the Catholic Church — Episcopal office
  2. Priest (Catholic Church) — Presbyteral office
  3. Deacon — Diaconal office
  4. Major orders — Traditional classification
  5. Minor orders — Preparatory orders
  6. Subdiaconate — Abolished order

C. Clerical Celibacy and Marriage

  1. Clerical celibacy — Mandatory vs. optional
  2. Clerical celibacy in the Catholic Church — Latin discipline
  3. Clerical marriage — Married clergy
  4. Eastern Catholic Churches — Married priests allowed
  5. Uxor presbyteri — Priest’s wife

D. Ordination of Women

  1. Ordination of women — General overview
  2. Ordination of women in the Catholic Church — Official prohibition
  3. Ordination of women and the Anglican Communion — Anglican debates
  4. Women’s ordination in Protestant churches — Various positions
  5. Complementarianism — Male headship
  6. Christian egalitarianism — Gender equality

Part IV: Sacraments and Ordinances

A. Sacramental Theology