Fraternal relationships are a visible expression of the invisible universal church. Second, they are a means for formal cooperation and accountability in ministry. Finally, they are a conduit for personal friendship beyond our own denominations, regions, and nations. 

The division of the church is a product of man’s sinfulness. There should be one visible church. When Christ returns, our denominational labels will be no more. There will be one church, and all of Christ’s body will be visible as one under King Jesus. But here and now, we are divided visibly, but we are genuinely one church and one body invisibly by our common union with Christ by the Holy Spirit. Denominations are important; we should not throw them away or the theological distinctives they represent. However, the need to express the reality of our connection to the universal church of Christ is equally important.

In the Apostle’s Creed, we confess to believe in “…the holy catholic church” This phrase often causes confusion, as people confuse it with the Roman Catholic church. However, catholic here means universal. We believe there is one universal church made up of all believers. Anyone who believes in the Good News of Jesus and has been saved in His work is part of His universal church. This unity impacts how we work with other Christians, especially those close to our theological convictions.

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