Why does the Orthodox Presbyterian Church put such time and energy into interchurch relations? People frequently ask me that question, and I answer by pointing out the usefulness and importance of fraternal relations within the universal visible church.

Westminster Confession of Faith 25.2 defines this universal visible church as that church which “consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion; and of their children: and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ.” This universal visible church is composed of particular, visible churches (WCF 25.4). The Orthodox Presbyterian Church is one such particular church. It is a part of the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, along with all those denominations and federations that profess the true religion. Christ, who is the head of the universal visible church, gives his church everything necessary “for the gathering and perfecting of the saints, in this life, to the end of the world” (WCF 25.3).

Jesus in the Great Commission sent his church to all nations—every kindred, tribe, and tongue. No one particular church can accomplish this task. It is the whole church, the whole universal visible church of our Savior, that is tasked with the proclamation of the gospel to the world. WCF 25.3 focuses the work of the whole church on the “gathering and perfecting of the saints,” and it is my contention that this cannot be accomplished without a visible unity among particular churches by way of fraternal relations. A house divided will not stand. An army separated will not win. This is what makes interchurch relations useful and important.

Fraternal relationships between particular visible churches of like faith and practice glorify God, honor Christ, promote the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, and enhance the witness of Christ’s church throughout the world.

Glorifying God

For nearly a decade, while serving as a full-time missionary of the OPC, I came to realize that as churches worked together in a coordinated effort to advance God’s kingdom, God’s glory was manifested and displayed to the communities in which they served. Cooperation through a common vision, shared faith, and the fellowship we possess in Christ, brings much glory to God. When many different churches from many different groups or denominations work independently despite sharing a common vision, faith, and fellowship, confusion can result. We should not compete against churches of like faith and practice—we should help one another, encourage one another, and pray for one another. How can we do this to God’s glory? By establishing and maintaining strong fraternal ties with churches that adhere to the doctrinal standards of Reformed and Presbyterian churches. In a world where the slogan is compete, compete, compete, a divinely established unity of fraternal relationships strengthens the church to the glory of God.

Honoring Christ

Jesus Christ is the King and Head of his church. As its King and Head, he is honored as the church submits to him in all things. As the Great Commission is given to the whole church of Jesus Christ, Christ is most honored when the church as the church, with all of its gifts and graces, faithfully labors for the extension of his kingdom. In

1 Corinthians 12, Paul reminds the believers that gifts were given by the Spirit for the edification of the whole body. Gifts are not given for the individual’s pride or arrogance. The gifts are given to advance the cause of Christ. What applies here to the Corinthian church also applies to the universal visible church. Gifts are given to the church not for the pride or advancement of any particular church, but for the exaltation and honor of Christ. When churches neglect or refuse to share the gifts given by Christ, they dishonor the Lord. WCF chapter 26, “On the Communion of Saints,” states in article 1:

And, being united to one another in love, they have communion in each other’s gifts and graces, and are obliged to the performance of such duties, public and private, as do conduce to their mutual good, both in the inward and outward man.

This communion of the saints applies to churches, presbyteries, general synods, and assemblies as well as to churches with whom we have established fraternal relations.

Promoting the Unity of the Spirit

Fraternal relations between particular churches promotes and strengthens the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Paul exhorts the Ephesian saints to walk “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:2–3). Even acknowledging that there are particular churches because of geography, nationalities, languages, and cultures, the command of Christ is that a spiritual unity must be maintained. Some would argue that this spiritual unity can only be realized or obtained by an institutional unity. This idea fails to take into account the diversity in the body of Christ. Fraternal relationships with churches of like faith and practice allows for diversities centered around a shared confessional heritage. For instance, the North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council is a council of American Presbyterian and Continental Reformed churches to labor together for Christ’s kingdom without having to deny their heritage or cultural traditions. There are differences between the Belgic Confession and the Westminster Confession. These differences could prevent a formal union, but are not a hindrance to our laboring together through a fraternal relation seeking to advance Christ’s kingdom while maintaining the unity of the Spirit.

Often the question is asked, “Why are there so many denominations?” There are social, theological, and cultural answers to this question. Some are legitimate, and some are not. There have been sadly many divisions in Christ’s church, and the evil one uses these to tarnish the church’s witness. I have heard it said that Protestantism is the religion of division. The endeavor to establish fraternal relationships can be used to heal sinful divisions as well as to create fraternal ties with churches of like faith and practice, to the strengthening of the church’s witness that Christ is the great reconciler. Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Are churches to walk aloof from one another or to seek to demonstrate biblical unity as the one body of Christ? These several reasons make the pursuit of fraternal relations a useful and important enterprise for churches of like faith and practice.

The author is an OP minister and member of the Committee on Ecumenicity and Interchurch Relations. New Horizons, February 2025.