Charitable Status?

Here's another off-the-wall thought ...

So many of our churches and denominations are bending over themselves backwards to comply with the new charity law - appointing Trustees, etc. But for what purpose?

I suspect the main reason is that if we lose charitable status we can no longer claim back the tax on our giving. But is it not true that a large number of churches (possible the majority) spend the money they receive on maintaining their own buildings and paying their own clergy. In other words, our efforts and finances are directed entirely toward our own benefit. How can that be called charitable?