The role of lay believers in Church movements

Uloga i značenje vjernika laika za život Crkve oduvijek je bila od velike važnosti. Isto tako udruživanje i okupljanje vjernika laika u crkvene pokrete ne predstavlja nikakvu novost već ona postoji od najranijih kršćanskih vremena. Velika prekretnica u životu vjernika laika događa se nakon Drugog vatikanskog sabora. Drugim vatikanskim saborom svi vjenici su jednaki i sakramentom krštenja dužni vršiti svoj apostolat. U prvom dijelu rada govori se općenito o vjernicima laicima, daje se jasna definicija samog pojma „laik“ kao i prikaz položaja vjernika laika kroz povijest. Uz to govori se i o njihovoj ulozi te vršenju njihove kraljevske, proročke i svećeničke službe. Što su to ustvari crkveni pokreti, koja je njihova uloga, neka od osnovnih obilježja kao i ustroj te slabosti pokreta izlažu se u drugom dijelu rada. Treći i najvažniji dio rada govori o ulozi vjernika laika u crkvenim pokretima. Uloga vjernika laika u crkvenim pokretima od velike je važnosti što se može vidjeti već pri samom osnivanju pokreta gdje čine jedan od glavnih pokretačkih čimbenika. Isto tako njihova uloga unutar pokreta očituje se u vršenju službe navještanja i svjedočenja gdje zajedno sa svećenicima moraju Crkvu učiniti prisutnom i djelatnom. Laici i njihova uloga unutar Crkvenh pokreta nikako se ne smije podcjenjivati i omalovažavati zbog toga što oni kako u povijesti tako i danas čine jedan vrlo važan element u životu Crkve.The role and significance of lay believers for the Church life has always been of great importance. Likewise, the association and gathering of lay believers in church movements is not a novelity, yet it existed since the earliest Christian times. A major turning point in the lives of lay believers occurs after the Second Vatican Council. By the Second Vatican Council, all the believers are equal and, by the sacrament of baptism, are obliged to carry out their apostolate. The first part of the thesis discusses lay believers in general and gives a clear definition of the term "layman", as well as an overview of the position of lay believers throughout history. In addition, their role and the performance of their royal, prophetic and priestly ministry are discussed. The second part of the thesis points to what exactly are church movements, and what is their role, as well as their basic features, structure and weaknesses. The third and most important part of the thesis discusses the role of lay believers in church movements. The role of lay believers in church movements is of great importance, which can be seen in the very founding of the movement, where they are one of the main driving factors. Likewise, their role within the movement is manifested in the performance of the ministry of proclamation and witness, where together with the priests, they are making the Church present and active. The lay believers and their role within the Church movements must not be underestimated or belittled because they, both in history and today, constitute a very important element in the Church life