Too many think the role of churches (and other religious organizations) are mostly about religious belief. In America, churches have always been much about providing services, for immigrants, social, cultural, and yes job opportunities. Many of Baltimore society churches are places where the upper crust meet and greet and get face time with potential employees. My first summer job (age 14) working in a country club kitchen, was through a church connection. Marriages have always been arranged in church communities.

With the decline of church attendance, there has been a great decline in community socialization. Church membership has always been a collective of people who are interlaced into the greater community. Look at the number of people posting, on this site wanting to know where to meet people. Seems that a bar is the most common answer. Not the place where people are being the most honest, with themselves or others.