Very Brief History of the Church

1. Very Brief History of the Church • ~33 – Jesus is killed by religious and civic leaders. Spirit of Christ falls on gathered believers and the church is born

2. Very Brief History of the Church • ~33 – Jesus is killed by religious and civic leaders. Spirit of Christ falls on gathered believers and the church is born • 33-333 – Christianity grows from small sect to major religious movement, challenging Roman hierarchy/religion

3. Very Brief History of the Church • ~33 – Jesus is killed by religious and civic leaders. Spirit of Christ falls on gathered believers and the church is born • 33-333 – Christianity grows from small sect to major religious movement, challenging Roman hierarchy/religion • 333 – Constantine, Roman Emporer, makes Christianity the official religion of Rome. Everyone becomes Christian.

4. Very Brief History of the Church • 333 – Constantine, Roman Emperor, makes Christianity the official religion of Rome. Everyone becomes Christian. • To support and organize this huge new religion, hierarchy is established and councils are called to determine standards for doctrine, cannon…

5. Very Brief History of the Church • 333 – Constantine, Roman Emperor, makes Christianity the official religion of Rome. Everyone becomes Christian. • To support and organize this huge new religion, hierarchy is established and councils are called to determine standards for doctrine, cannon… • Ministry is done by “professionals”

6. Very Brief History of the Church • 333 – Constantine, Roman Emperor, makes Christianity the official religion of Rome. Everyone becomes Christian. • To support and organize this huge new religion, hierarchy is established and councils are called to determine standards for doctrine, cannon… • Ministry is done by “professionals” • Money is given to support mission work among “heathen” at the edges of the empire

7. Very Brief History of the Church • 333 – Constantine, Roman Emperor, makes Christianity the official religion of Rome. Everyone becomes Christian. • To support and organize this huge new religion, hierarchy is established and councils are called to determine standards for doctrine, cannon… • Ministry is done by “professionals” • Money is given to support mission work among “heathen” at the edges of the empire • This method and way of thinking is the backbone of the Christian Church until the 1960s counter cultural movement

8. Very Brief History of the Church • This method and way of thinking is the backbone of the Christian Church until the 1960s counter cultural movement • “Post modernism” deconstructs the foundational assumption that Americans are Christians and that Christians grow up in and remain affiliated with “their” denomination.

9. Very Brief History of the Church • This method and way of thinking is the backbone of the Christian Church until the 1960s counter cultural movement • “Post modernism” deconstructs the foundational assumption that Americans are Christians and that Christians grow up in and remain affiliated with “their” denomination. • The mainline churches, who adhere to the “Christendom” paradigm, begin to decline in membership.

10. Denominational Membership Totals(in millions)

11. First Pres. Organizational/Ministry Chart Nominating Deacons PNC Long Range Planning