A church abandoning God for something they can count on (6)
I believe the answer is:
abacus
'a church' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
I can't explain the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for abacus that I've seen before include "Old counting-frame" , "Totter" , "An ancient counting frame with beads" , "frame of sorts" , "Early counting-frame" .)