There is a comfort in driving by a small, creaky, still-standing country church on a Sunday morning, wouldn’t you agree?

The comfort stems from all it represents; the beauty, voice, and necessity of the church make it #9 on my alphabetical list of 70 things I believe every man needs to know and understand. (Find out what else I’ve included so far; we’ll continue unpacking the full list here each week!)

The Beauty of the Church

Whether it’s that country church, a hut, a home, a strip mall, or a cathedral nestled among skyscrapers, the church is a sacred, holy place. It’s where we gather, worship, find rest for our souls, and commune with Almighty God.

But it’s much more than a place. Jesus proclaimed, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18, emphasis mine).

Jesus came to build His church, and we are this church of His—you and me. Though deeply flawed and far from perfect, we have always been God’s primary plan to share the hope of the gospel to a wary but watching world.

Even on our worst day, the church offers a better hope than any other institution on its best day. E. Stanley Jones, the missionary to India, said it best: “The church has many critics but no rivals.”

The Voice of the Church

Christians visit nursing homes, shelter the homeless, minister to prisoners, and feed the poor. Who else does all that?

The church has spoken hope through its actions—

• Across the ages: Emperor Julian the Apostate said, “Those impious Christians! They not only take care of their own poor, but ours as well!” This legacy of care and service is woven into the church’s history.

• In the world: Imagine for a moment what the world would look like without the church. Where would be the great hospitals, schools, and universities? Where would be the food banks, the coalitions for the homeless, the rescue missions? Would anyone be doing inner-city youth work, caring for orphans, or providing homes for young, unwed mothers? Where would be the voices calling out for abstinence from premarital sex or the right to life? Who would be the voice of justice, and the hands of mercy?

• For families from cradle to grave: Consider how the church meets the needs of families: weddings, baptisms, hospital visits, funerals, communion, counseling, grief groups, fellowship opportunities, addiction recovery ministries, nursery and preschool, worship services, spiritual education, retreats, and more. No institution supports marriage and family like the church.

The positive impact of the Christian church is a singular achievement—and there isn’t a close second. Who would be the feet of the gospel of salvation? Who would be the light in the darkness, the salt seeking to preserve society and culture?

The Necessity of the Church

Colossians 1:18 reminds us that Jesus is the founder and head of the church: “And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.”

As His body, we gather because Jesus wants us to. Hebrews 10:25 exhorts, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

For many people, “church hurt” is real, but giving up the habit of meeting together is not the solution. The church assembled is where we experience a unique measure of worship, fellowship, growth, service, and accountability. In truth, there is no such thing as a Lone Ranger Christian. We need other Christians.

For reflection today: 

• Do you have a high or low view of the church? Why?
• Do you agree with the phrase, “The church has many critics, but no rivals”?
• What do you think are Christ’s wishes for you related to the church, according to Matthew 16:18 and Hebrews 10:25, and how will you respond?