“Synod” in the Teachings of Church Fathers: Lessons for a Synodal Church Today

Abstract

Synods and Ecumenical Councils were done in order to arrive at the lessons for the Synodal Church today. It also affirms the teachings of the Church  Fathers on the importance of Living Tradition of Synods and its processes which are passed on to generations of Christian Communities to settle internal  disputes. It concretely cited how the Church Fathers handled crisis impinging on the understanding of faith, discipline, and morals through the Synodal  processes. It examines the understanding of synods and Synodal Church by expounding the meaning of synod and ecumenical council. It highlights the  early Church procedural conciliar; it elucidates the theology and power of ecumenical councils. It deliberates on the Church Father's processes of local  synod and the decisions of the local synod leading to lessons for the Synodal Church today. The article ends with recommendations and conclusion.