Why should we think theologically about the Church? How does this relate to the question of ecclesiology? What function does theology have within the Church? It is often thought that theology, “talking about God,” is somehow separate from the church. However, Dr. Justin Stratis suggested that theology was one of the primary functions of the church by quoting Barth; «Dogmatics is a theological discipline. But theology is a function of the church. The Holy Spirit has been left with the church and has been present throughout the history of the church, guiding the church to speak and act according to the will of the Father. Theology is the sifting and critical reflection on the words and actions of the church to identify this presence and works of the Spirit, identifying where God, rather than man, has worked. Theology cannot take place without the church for it is in and through the church that God exposes his character and plan to the world that needs him. So what is the connection between systematic theology and the church? It is explored through the notion of God's mission in the world enacted through the church, those things it does for and through us. This mission, as postulated by St. Augustine, reflects the way God exists, a reflection of the triune lifestyle, the "processions" of God. What He does is completely tied to the way He exists. So, the purpose of theology is to explore and express this relationship, to see how “procession” defines “mission,” and therefore asks questions that impact ecclesiology. As ecclesiology asks questions about the nature of the sacraments, the laity, the clergy and sacred spaces within the Church, the questions that must always be kept in mind are 'what does God, through his mission, do in creation, and why?' and...... half of the sheet ......October 2013].Dogmatic Constitution of the Second Vatican Council on the Church: Lumen Gentium, [Online], available: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html [Accessed 24 November 2013].Martos, J. (2001) Doors to the Sacred: A Historical Introduction to Sacrements in the Catholic Church, revised and updated edition, (Missouri : Liguori Publications). McGrath, A. (2011) Christian Theology: An Introduction, 5th edition, (London: Wiley-Blackwell). Murray, S. (2004) Post-Christendom: Church and Mission in a Strange New World, ( Carlisle: Paternoster Press). Stackhouse, I. (2004) The Gospel-Driven Church: Retrieving Classical Ministries for Contemporary Revivalism, (Milton Keynes: Paternoster). Wright, N. G. (2005) Free Church Free State: The Positive Baptist Vision, 1st edition, (Milton Keynes: Paternoster).