I agree that mostly unused empty buildings serve little to no purpose. I once wondered why are their doors locked most of the time? (Not all are.) Some do have outreach to the needy and there are some social benefits like Pot Luck Dinners, Rummage Sales and between services Bible Studies, and the like. Still and all, I am far from being a fan of denominational churches... for instance, "Where is the Second Assembly of God church in town?" Beyond that, the comparison model for me is the accounts of the earliest assemblies of Believers in the book The Acts of the Apostles - unrecognizable today... or should I say not recognized as a valid way.