This is my question too...Church is not the building as already described, we are the church and we are the temple of God...keeping this in mind going to church (gathering) has an impact on our spiritual life one way or the other way on our inside(the temple). The more I try to live spiritual life me and alonethe less I think about it. However the more I spent my time with those in and around the church the more I will be concerned about my innerbeing than to my physical being. So, though it is not the gathering what matters, it is a tool or a way through which we will be able to experience the love and grace of God with others. I personally test the difference between not going and going, so for me it made a clear difference.
Why do I go to church.....hmmmm...
Cause my Jesus is there.I love hanging out with Him and just learning more about Him.sometimes I wonder if he gets bored cause he knows everything about me,but I will never finish learning about him,so I hope not...okay...i'm rambling now, so i think in done.