It’s About Connection
September 2, 2026
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:4-6
As I write this, delegates from all over the world have gathered together in Johannesburg, South Africa, for our denomination’s General Conference. Over the course of a week, this group of clergy and laity will make decisions for the good of our movement. I won’t get into all the details of the work being done there, but this global gathering has made me think about connection.
It is easy, I think, for us to get so focused on what’s happening in our local church that we end up unintentionally forgetting that we are part of a much bigger movement. We forget that there are like-minded Christians who have covenanted together across North Alabama, across the United States, across Africa, across Asia, across Europe, and across Central and South America. What a joy it is to think about how God is moving in all these places. What an honor it is to think that we, right here in Leeds, Alabama, are part of something so widespread. And how exciting it is to think that this movement continues to grow around the globe!
Beyond our own denomination, we know that there are millions of Christians worldwide with whom we share a similar love of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We truly are part of the universal church of Jesus Christ! We declare this every time we say the Apostles’ Creed, of course: “We believe in the holy catholic church.” That little “c” word catholic means universal—we believe in Christ’s church that has existed for 2000 years; we believe in Christ’s church that exists today; and we believe in Christ’s church that exists in heaven.
Yes, we have our differences, and it’s true we don’t all worship the same way, but we do serve One God, and we have one Hope, our Lord Jesus. And because of this, we should, as Paul reminds us, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” And we can do so because “to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”
Let us be glad then for the connection we have with our fellow believers here at Leeds First Methodist Church. Let us also be glad for the connection we have with fellow believers across North Alabama. And let us be glad for the connection we have with fellow believers around the world. This, friends, is the picture of God’s church—every tribe, every tongue, every nation, worshiping together!
Grace and peace,
Brandon