Ekklesiologie is die teologiese studie van die kerk – haar aard, doel, struktuur en funksies. Wanneer ‘n gemeente byvoorbeeld besin oor wie mag predik, hoe ouderlinge verkies word, wat die kerk se sending is, of hoe die plaaslike gemeente tot ander kerke verhoud, ondersoek hulle ekklesiologiese vrae. Hierdie studieveld sluit ook die verhouding tussen plaaslike gemeentes en die universele kerk in, en help gelowiges om te verstaan wat dit beteken om deel van die liggaam van Christus te wees en hoe die kerk haar opdrag moet vervul.
Ecclesiology is the theological study of the church – her nature, purpose, structure, and functions. When a congregation reflects, for example, on who may preach, how elders are elected, what the church’s mission is, or how the local congregation relates to other churches, they are examining ecclesiological questions. This field of study also includes the relationship between local congregations and the universal church, and helps believers understand what it means to be part of the body of Christ and how the church should fulfil her mandate.