Is the Church a Crutch? This is a fair question and worthy of fair and self-critical answer. In this podcast and post I offer both the positive aspects of church as well as some sobering questions that pastors, church planters, and parishioners really should consider. The statistics of church decline within our culture are staggering and I believe something beyond social decline is taking place. I offer a test  to see if the church is in fact a crutch for you. I’ll also offer a perspective that can illuminate a path forward as well as a new definition of what The Church is and can be.