The church must be distinct from the world to reach the world. The calling of the church is to be holy and committed to declaring the excellencies of God -- but is it? Has the church lost its distinctive mission? A minority of those who claim to be born again say they believe in moral absolutes (source: Barna Research). One-third of evangelicals between the ages of 18 and 35 have no problem with unmarried men and women living together (source: Evangelical Alliance). Evangelical Christianity is becoming increasingly worldly. Materialism, hedonism, violence, sexual misconduct, pluralism, and divorce are becoming as common within the church as without. As a result the church is losing its distinct identity as a people set apart to reach the world. In this book, R. Kent Hughes builds a case for godliness in the church -- a case that echoes the biblical call to holiness. The church can reach the world only if it keeps itself from being ensnared by the world. Hughes is not simply urging Christians to say no to worldliness -- he is calling the church to say yes to Christ and to his call to reach our lost world. - Back cover.