Religion has become something of a byword for many people in this country. It’s not uncommon (even among Christians) to hear someone say they’re “spiritual, but not religious.” Very few Americans want to be identified as “religious” these days.

To be fair, a lot of bad things have been done (and continue to be done) in the name of religion.

ISIS, the Crusades, and the caste system are among the worst examples; but most of us can probably think of more subtle ways in which the church has harmed us or people we know.

In view of such abuses, it can be very tempting to be “spiritual but not religious,” withdrawing from organized religion into some sort of private spirituality. And in truth, some time away from church can be a good thing for some people. It may prove to be a time of healing and inner reflection.

I am convinced, however, that Christians need the church. Is the church perfect? By no means. Given human nature, that would be far too much to expect. But while flawed, the church still provides some things I feel are necessary for our spiritual growth.

One thing the church provides is spiritual and moral clarity.

Left to our own, each of us is likely to understand God solely in terms of our own experiences and tastes -and this makes it very easy to be misled!

We need some sort of check on our tendency to make God into whatever we want God to be, and this is one thing the church can provide – a community where we can dialogue and discover truth together.

I believe this is what Jesus has in mind when He says He has given “the keys of the kingdom of heaven” to Saint Peter and his successors (Matt 17:18-19).

The “keys” here are the keys to spiritual truth, the keys that unlock the mysteries of the kingdom – and they only work when people come together for mutual discernment.

Another important thing we can find in church is fellowship with like-minded people.

In an increasingly secular culture, it can be hard to find friends who are spiritually oriented – and the spiritual quest can be very lonely at times. By coming together for worship and social activities, Christians can encourage and strengthen each other in the journey.

Indeed, one of Jesus’ most passionate prayers is that we come together in unity; “that they all may be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you” (John 17:21). This is pretty hard to do if our spiritual lives are lived in solitude!

Finally, corporate worship links us with the saints from every age.

Whenever we gather to publicly read Scripture, sing hymns, pray, and partake of the sacraments, we are mystically united with the whole company of heaven – including those who have died and those who have yet to be born. The corporate gathering makes it much easier for us to experience their presence. Why would we want to isolate ourselves from such blessings?

For all of these reasons (and more), I feel that I must partake in the life of the church (and indeed be “religious” in that sense) to grow spiritually.

Is it possible for us to experience God’s love, God’s truth, and God’s presence on our own, apart from organized religion? Certainly! But it seems to me that it’s a lot harder to do that way; and life is hard enough as it is.

In the words of the late Rev. William Sloane Coffin, “It’s true, the church is a crutch. But what makes you think you don’t limp?”