I certainly don't know how to begin to answer to these questions. However, I posted this quote from a T.D. Jakes book that I'm reading "Before You Do" on my facebook about a week or so ago, because this is one of a few real definitions of what I feel a church should be:

"Church is not a museum for perfect people, but rather a hospital where injured souls unite to recover.

I think it applies to the "hoops" mentioned here.