Communities of practice with all their shortcomings, are the best way to make the teachings available to people. The Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, need the church in order to be manifested. ("Wherever two or three are gathered in My Name, there I am.") People can touch the Father and the Son through the church. That is why we say that the church is the mystical body of Christ. Jesus was very clear about the need to practice the teaching and to do so in community. He told his disciples to be the light of the world.
— Thich Nhat Hanh, Living Buddha, Living Christ