Let the Church be the Church
Let the people rejoice
For we've settled the question
We've made our choice
Let the anthems ring out
Songs of victory swell
For the church triumphant
Is alive and well

Let the Church be the Church
Let the people rejoice
For we've settled the question
We've made our choice
Let the anthems ring out
Songs of victory swell
For the church triumphant
Is alive and well

Oh, this old ship's
Been through battles before
Storms and tempests
And the rocks on the shore
Though the hull, it may be battered
Down inside, it's safe and dry
It will carry its cargo
To the port in the sky
(In the sky)
God has always had a people
Many a foolish conqueror
Has made the mistake of thinking
That because he had forced
The church of Jesus Christ out of sight
That He had stilled its voice
And snuffed out its life
But God has always had a people
The powerful current of a rushing river
Is not diminished because
It is forced to flow underground
But purest water is the stream
That burst crystal clear into the sunlight
After it's fought its way through solid rock
There have been charlatans
Who like Simon the Magician
Sought to barter on the open market
That power which cannot be bought or sold
But God has always had a people
Men who could not be bought
And women who were beyond purchase
Yes, God has always had a people
There have been times of affluence
And prosperity when the church's message
Has been nearly deluded into oblivion
By those who sought
To make it socially attractive
Neatly organized, financially profitable
It has been gold-plated, draped in purple
And encrusted with jewels
It's been misrepresented, ridiculed
Lauded and scorned
These followers of Jesus Christ have been
According to the whim of the times
Elevated as sacred leaders
And modern as heretics
Yet through it all, their march is on
That powerful army of the meek
God's chosen people who cannot be bought
Flattered, murdered or stilled
On through the ages they march
The church! God's church triumphant!
Alive and well!
Let the Church be the Church
Let the people rejoice
For we've settled the question
We've made our choice
Let the anthems ring out
Songs of victory swell
For the church triumphant
Is alive

Listen, child of God, it's alive
Discouraged pastors
(It's alive)
It's His church and it's alive
Lonely missionary
Sow the seed with confidence, it's alive
(It's alive)
Old saint, you're not alone and forgotten
The church is alive
(It's alive)
It's alive, my brokenhearted friend
Busy mother, cast your cares on Jesus
It's alive, young student
You're not alone in serving the Lord
(It's alive)
Lonely father, there's rest in the Lord
And the church is alive
(Alive)
Cynical skeptic, you haven't killed God
With your noisy unbelief, He's alive!
So family of God, raise your hands
(It's alive)
And praise the Lord, the church is alive!
The church is alive and well!
Alive and well!
Alive and well!