This ecclesiology , known as denominationalism , contends that each group ( which fulfills the essential criteria of `` being Christian '' ) is a sub-group of a greater `` Christian Church '' , itself a purely abstract concept with no direct representation , i.e. no group , or `` denomination '' , claims to be `` the Church '' . This ecclesiology , known as denominationalism , contends that each group ( which fulfils the essential criteria of `` being Christian '' ) is a sub-group of a greater `` Christian Church '' , itself a purely abstract concept with no direct representation , i.e. , no group , or `` denomination '' , claims to be `` the Church . ''