I have been seeing a lot of chatter lately about “deconstructing” and countless conversations that paint the church in a purely negative light. Some of those concerns are real, and the pain is valid. We cannot gloss over abuse, hypocrisy, or harm that has happened within church walls. Those wounds deserve to be heard and healed. But I would like to enter this conversation with a different angle, one that does not ignore the pain, but also does not throw away God’s chosen instrument for advancing His kingdom.
The church is not a man-made afterthought. From the moment Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18), it became God’s plan for how His message would spread, His people would grow, and His light would reach the world. The church is imperfect because people are imperfect. Yet throughout history, despite flaws, scandals, and seasons of spiritual drought, the church has been a force for good spiritually, socially, and culturally in ways that cannot be ignored.
Below are ten powerful reasons why the church still matters. These are drawn from Scripture, from history, and from the reality of what the church has brought to the world for over two thousand years.
1. A Place of Spiritual Formation
In every generation, the church has been the primary environment where believers are taught God’s Word, discipled in the faith, and equipped for service (Ephesians 4:11–13). Without the church, much of Christian teaching would be fragmented and left to private interpretation. Throughout history, the pulpit, the catechism class, and the Bible study have been spaces where faith is shaped not just for individuals but for entire communities.
2. A Family for the Isolated
Acts 2:42–47 paints the church as a place of fellowship, shared meals, and mutual care. In a world marked by loneliness, the church has historically been a spiritual family for the widowed, the orphaned, the single, and the marginalized. When functioning as God intended, the church gives people a place to belong, something secular culture struggles to replicate.
3. Preservation of the Scriptures
From the early centuries, the church safeguarded and hand-copied the Scriptures long before the printing press. Monks in monasteries labored over manuscripts, ensuring God’s Word was preserved and passed down. Without the church’s commitment to Scripture, we would not have the Bible in our hands today.
4. Advocacy for Justice
Many of the world’s greatest justice movements were led by people of faith through the church. The abolition of slavery in the British Empire was championed by William Wilberforce, whose convictions were birthed in church fellowship. The American civil rights movement was fueled by the Black church, where leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. found both their platform and their power in the pulpit.
5. Care for the Poor and Sick
The concept of the hospital itself has roots in the church’s ministry. In the fourth century, Christians established some of the first organized hospitals and orphanages. Church-run soup kitchens, shelters, and clinics have existed for centuries. Even today, many of the world’s most effective humanitarian organizations, such as World Vision, Compassion International, and the Salvation Army, are church-born.
6. A Center of Worship
While private devotion is vital, corporate worship ignites a different kind of spiritual fire. In the gathered church, we sing, pray, and lift our eyes to God together. This shared experience strengthens the believer’s soul, aligns hearts with heaven, and reminds us that faith is not a solo journey (Hebrews 10:24–25).
7. A Moral Compass
In cultures where moral lines are blurred, the church has stood as a prophetic voice. At its best, the church has spoken truth to power, defended the sanctity of life, and reminded societies of God’s standards for justice, compassion, and righteousness (Micah 6:8).
8. Intergenerational Influence
One of the unique gifts of the church is its ability to bridge generations. Elders teach the young, and the young bring fresh energy to the old. Paul modeled this in his letters to Timothy, showing that faith is passed down best in community where stories, testimonies, and wisdom are shared.
9. Global Mission Impact
The church has been God’s instrument for spreading the gospel worldwide. From Paul’s missionary journeys to modern missions, countless men and women have left comfort to carry Christ’s name to the nations. Today, nearly every language group in the world has heard the gospel because the church refused to keep it to itself.
10. A Living Witness of Hope
The church has endured persecution, exile, pandemics, wars, and societal collapse, yet she remains. This resilience is itself a testimony that Christ’s promise in Matthew 16:18 still stands. In every crisis, the church has been there, feeding the hungry, sheltering the displaced, and proclaiming that Jesus is still the hope of the world.
A Loving Call to Remember
We must acknowledge the wrongs done in the church’s name. They are real. They have hurt people. But walking away from the church entirely is like abandoning the only hospital in town because some of the staff made mistakes. The answer is not to dismantle the church, but to reform her, to bring her back to the heart of Christ.
Jesus loves the church so much that He calls her His bride (Ephesians 5:25–27). If He has not abandoned her, neither should we. The church is still God’s plan for making disciples, and she is still worth defending, healing, and building.
About the Author
Larry W. Robinson is a seasoned broadcaster, author, speaker, and publisher with more than 30 years of experience in media and ministry. He is the host of the internationally syndicated Larry W. Robinson Show, publisher of Gospel Updates magazine, and founder of The Gospel Music Honors. Larry’s mission is to empower believers to build their personal economies while embracing spiritual and financial freedom. Through his books, syndicated broadcasts, and community initiatives, he continues to inspire audiences worldwide to live with faith, purpose, and impact.
For more information, visit www.ceolarry.com.
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