A.W. Tozer wrote in 1962:
What is the real definition of the Christian church? What are the basic purposes for its existence?
I believe a local church exists to do corporately what each Christian believer should be doing individually —and that is to worship God. It is to show forth the excellencies of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. It is to reflect the glories of Christ ever shining upon us through the ministries of the Holy Spirit.
It was never in God’s revealed plan that the Christian churches would degenerate to the point that they would begin functioning as social clubs. The fellowship of the saints that the Bible advises is never dependent upon the variety of social connections which the churches lean upon in these modern times.
The Christian church was never intended to function as a current events forum. God did not intend for a popular news magazine to serve as a textbook,providing the ramp from which a secular discussion can take off and become airborne.
You may have heard me talk about dramatics and acting,of make-believe and hypocrisy. If so,you are not surprised when I declare without equivocation that the church of Jesus Christ was never intended to become a religious theater. When we build a sanctuary and dedicate it to the worship of God,are we then obligated to provide a place in the church for entertainers to display their amateur talents?
In this kind of sinful world,what are you doing with the spiritual light and awareness God has given you? Where do you stand with God in your friendships,in your pleasures,in the complexities of your day-to-day life?
My comments:Church is not about building things or doing art projects. We are to worship God in Spirit and in truth. The truth is in God’s Word,the Bible. The truth can only be found there,not in my experiences or little dramas or videos. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 If the Bible is not being read and preached and taught in your church,then you are in the wrong place. We should love to talk about Jesus Christ and learn about all of His attributes through the Bible. We should know the attributes of God through the Bible. The more we know about Him,the more we appreciate what He has done and will do for us.