# The theology of the Church (Ecclesiology)

The group of believers who have a relationship with God are known as [the Church](church.md).

The "church", however, has several definitions:

1. It can refer to the group of individuals who have an eternal relationship with God.
   - This definition includes everyone who had believed in the coming Messiah *before* Jesus was born.
   - This term is usually also called the "catholic" church by some believers.
2. It can refer to the [cultural group](people-culture.md) of those people, specifically when they're meeting.
3. Many times, it includes the [not-for-profit organization](mgmt-church-worship.md) that meets, including people who only allege their relationship with God.
   - This one includes every person who associates with Christian culture, including [debatably spiritual practices](people-conflicts-christian-2_debatable.md).

Christians who choose to lead the Church are held to a higher moral standard.

- Scripture indicates that God sees them as responsible for His "flock", so they must rightly handle the truth and live in good conduct.

The Church was established by Jesus, and was carried on through the Apostles.

- Scripture indicates that spiritual leaders are appointed, so "lone wolf" spiritual leaders are practicing something not established by Scripture.
- However, while Catholics assert the history of Apostolic succession coming back to Peter, the actual record of anything beyond the top bishop (i.e., the Pope) is a bit spotty ([events calendar at this link](https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/events/b64.html)).

The Church is responsible to *both* [preach the Gospel](spiritual-exercises-evangelism.md) and [make disciples](spiritual-discipleship.md) across the world.

- Evangelism is the [marketing](marketing.md), while discipleship is the [education](education.md).
- The scope of this daily practice expresses as a series of [habitual changes](habits.md) that more articulately align us with [a relationship with Jesus](https://theologos.site/devotion-chaos/).
- This is not a solo venture, and happens corporately, though there are many contentions on *how* corporate it should be.