The church is not like other secular, voluntary organizations. It has a sacred charter and is part of God's saving work for all people. The church is not one activity choice among many, something to do when it makes us feel good or is convenient. Rather, the church is the central way we encounter God and God's people, and its purpose is to encourage and provoke us to be more Christ-like. The church is a great gift to us and the world, and it is our task to share that gift with those around us.
