Contents Preface Part I THE NOTION OF A CONSTRUCTIVE TRANSDENOMINATIONAL ECCLESIOLOGY 1. WHERE WE DWELL IN COMMON Premises of a Transdenominational Ecclesiology The Referent of a Transdenominational Ecclesiology Methodological Considerations Structure for Understanding the Church 2. FROM HISTORICAL TO CONSTRUCTIVE ECCLESIOLOGY Principles of Orientation Nature and Mission of the Church Organization of the Church Members of the Church Activities of the Church Relation of the Church to the World Part II ECCLESIAL EXISTENCE 3. THE NATURE AND PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH The Origin of the Church The Nature of the Church The Purpose or Mission of the Church Ecclesial Existence 4. ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH Community and Structure Ministries to Christian Life Enabled by Church Structures Larger Organizational Forms Church Organization and God's Will for the Church Ecclesial Existence 5. MEMBERSHIP IN THE CHURCH Becoming a Member of the Church Clergy and the People of God Visible and Invisible Membership in the Church Ecclesial Existence 6. ACTIVITIES OF THE CHURCH Pastoral Activity Worship Nurturing the Whole Life of the Members Ecclesial Existence 7. CHURCH IN RELATION TO THE WORLD The World Missionary Church Dialogue with the World Ecclesial Existence 8.

ECCLESIAL EXISTENCE AND PARTIAL COMMUNION Ecclesial Existence as Ecclesial Spirituality The Concept of Partial Communion Ecclesial Existence as the Apostolic Basis for Partial Communion.