Asking why Christianity is unattractive to so many people, this book contrasts a revolutionary Jesus who changed the world with a marginalized church that is being ignored by our culture. And it explores how churches can do a better job of representing Jesus to the world.

Has the church" become a barrier to faith? Is what our culture knows as "the church" a near approximation of Christ's presence in the world? Or does "the church" give a distorted view of Jesus as businessman, showman, huckster, or fraud?

Without abandoning love for the church or forgetting the biblical mandate for its presence in the world, Rubel Shelly explores a model for thinking of church in terms that are more personal than institutional. In doing so, Shelly considers questions important to Christian life and identity, including:

Are discipleship and church membership equivalent concepts?
Why is Christianity unattractive to so many?
How has so much evil been perpetrated in the name of Christ?
What is the responsibility of Christ-loving people to the church?
Where is the beauty of Christ visible in today's culture?
How can my church do a better job representing Jesus to the world?"