The church doesn’t need to sexy herself up. She doesn’t need a membership at Gold’s Gym. She doesn’t need Botox. She might initially look unattractive. But our ears see the unseen. Our ears see the Lord of dance take her in his arms. Our ears see her as resplendent, without spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. And on the dance floor of grace and mercy, she glides along in the arms of the God who loves her. We’re in that dance, we who are the body of Christ, the bride of Jesus, the church where there’s always more than meets the eye.
This is a great article on the nature of church and what is the measure of success.