For the first time in history we live in a culture where an amazing number of people claim to have a relationship with Jesus but have no relationship with the church. Is it really a good thing to be a believer but not a belonger? Not according to Jesus. Life in Christ is a corporate affair. The church is God’s plan for spiritual growth. There is no backup plan. Therefore, it is more important than ever before to rediscover the great and beautiful gift of the church.

In an article entitled “The Church Why Bother?” Tim Stafford says, “A living, breathing congregation is the only place to live in a healthy relationship to God. That is because it is the only place on earth where Jesus has chosen to dwell.” Gene Getz says, “The more we understand God’s wonderful plan for the church and the more we are involved in this process of spiritual growth, the more excited we will become about the church of Jesus Christ!”

The church in this world will never be perfect because the church is people. But for all its shortcomings the church is God’s plan! The church, the bride of Christ, is God’s agent for bestowing grace on a grace starved world.