Our ultimate purpose is to bring glory to God by functioning as the “body of Christ.” As we do this we also fulfill two specific purposes relating to God's plan for the earth: (1) evangelism to non-believers and (2) encouragement for believers. (Php 1:11; 1Co 12:27; Mt 28:19; 1Co 14:26)
NOTE: Among other things, the church is also known as the bride of Christ and the living temple of the true God. Obviously, the church is not a building, a meeting place, an organization, or a denomination. The church is the totality of all believers in Christ, regardless of denomination or meeting place. The entire body of believers is the church, and as such, the church is the dwelling place of God.