Old Lutheran Quote of the Day

We also distinguish between a particular church and the church catholic.  We do not deny that particular churches are visible.  But we assert that the church catholic is invisible, whether one takes the expression "church catholic" for the gathering of the saints or for the embrace of all particular churches... The church is called "invisible" because of faith and other internal gifts that the human eye cannot see.  Yet we also say that it is and is said to be visible because of the preaching of the Word and the administration of the Sacraments, which do externally meet the eyes and ears. -- Blessed Johann Gerhard, *On the Church*, p. 130.