Katedral och gemenskap - Svenska Missionskyrkans självförståelse

Abstract

In the Mission Covenant Church of Sweden there is a tension between Cathedral and Community in the Process of self-understanding. Cathedral is characterized by institution, succession, hierarchy, episcopalism and sacraments while Community represents discipleship, revelation, anarchy, Congregationalism and fellowship. From the very beginning of the Mission Covenant Church of Sweden in 1878, this tension has existed in this church being born in Sweden, out of Lutheran roots and having an engagement for revival faith. From time to time neither Cathedral nor Community have been the dominant factors for self-understanding and this article tries to trace different circumstances and reasons for one or the other to be dominant.  

I study especially the ecclesiological and liturgical development in this church concentrating on looking at the Book of Worship over the years, the dialogue between the Mission Covenant Church and the Church of Sweden and the teaching of pastoral students.  

There are interesting observations to be made in the different volumes of the Book of Worship where in the earlier years, questions were asked of the new members of the church concerning habits of faith and conduct. In recent years those questions are no longer asked and people are more generally welcomed into the family of God.  

In the dialogue with the Church of Sweden, the Mission Covenant Church is dealing with its Mother Church and the overall understanding of Christian Faith in Sweden, the Church of Sweden being a national church open to everyone living in Sweden and with some 7 million members. My conclusion is that being in dialogue with this church and seeing members under no obligation to attend church on a regular basis be recognized as people of a strong faith, prepares the Mission Covenant Church to understand itself as more of a Cathedral than a Community.  

At the Seminary, in the teaching of pastoral students, I recognize a teacher as being a forerunner in the movement taking place in the Mission Covenant Church as a whole. This teacher presents the students with a worldwide church and thereby introduces the students for impacts in the Cathedral direction.  

My conclusion is that both Cathedral and Community need to be considered in order to understand the blend that is the Mission Covenant Church of Sweden; Cathedral giving more emphasis on liturgy and the holy priesthood, while Community stresses the heritage of holy people.