The Church is composed of all who have responded to God's call through the saving love of his Son, Jesus Christ. All Christians are important to the effective working of the body of Christ, even though we may differ in spiritual gifts, in national origin, or in social standing. Even parts which seem weaker are indispensable. No Christian can live apart from the body of Christ any more than a hand or a foot can live apart from the human body. All true Christians respond to him as Lord.
Common worship is an important factor in establishing and maintaining koinonia.
We believe the Church is to apply New Testament principles to its life. Throughout its history the Churches of God has maintained the importance of a strong doctrine of the Church, seeing it as basic to sound Christian theology. The Church's doctrines of regeneration, the ordinances, church government, and church discipline are all affected by its doctrine of the Church and the high importance placed upon New Testament principles. John Winebrenner, the earthly founder of what has become the Churches of God, General Conference, had a high view of the Church. The Church exists only because of the grace of God and the atoning work of Jesus Christ.