Many still don't understand what the church is all about. They consider the church as a building they see around where Christians meet and worship God. Congregational buildings are just like any other buildings.
The church is actually the body of Christ and all those who have given their life to christ constitute the members of his body, therefore the church refers to all believers of Christ.
Now you are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 1 Corinthians 13:27
Some people wonder why Christians always gather at a place of meeting when they can actually worship God from their homes or at any place just like other religions do.
The church is just like a physical hospital where people go to when they are sick. The church welcomes every sinner to come just as he is for his sins to be cleanse by the blood of Jesus and be made whole.
The church do not expect unbelieving attenders to get rid of their sinful habits or change their lifestyle in order to attend a service. Instead, they are encouraged to come "just as they are for that is the only place they can be delivered from their sins.
Jesus was the one who established the church on earth and he made it the right place where every sinner can be cured from all sins and have a new life. Jesus never came for the righteous but for sinners. Those who are not sick do not need a physician but those who are sick.
When Jesus heard it, he said unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Mark 2:17
Jesus was the only one who understood the situation of sinners and what they actually go through in their struggle to break free from the power of sin and death. For this reason he never condemned sinners who came to him rather he forgave them of their sins, teach them about the word and welcome them into God's family(the church)
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:17-18
Christians should desist from condemning one another, looking down on others as if they are the only sinners or the worst. We are all working on our salvation with fear and trembling, no one is perfect yet and that's why we meet always to share God's word which is the right antidote to help us deal with sin.
Let's all pray for the church to be more friendly and always welcome everyone who needs salvation.