What is the Church?

In the midst of a struggling time, I have been led to the question of what is the Church? Or, more specifically, "What is the Church called to be?"...   And of course, just like most of the questions I have been asking lately, the answer is no less attainable than smelling the color 9, o really.   Is the church to be collection of people with a similar goal? a similar story? .... Maybe, as the church we are meant to be disciples...: those who will strive with all that they are, regardless where they have come from, to be just like the Rabbi who walked on the streets of Jerusalem a couple thousand years ago....the same One who gave up His life as a ransom for many... the same One who rose again three days later after reminding the accuser who gave him his place... This Jesus, fought off the effects of our sin (that is he died in our place) and who calls us, 2000 some  years later.  To be one just as He is one with the Father.  

Maybe rather than studying the latest trends in church achitecture and worship styles, we should be studying what Their relationship is like...