Is religion disappearing from American life? Less than 50 percent of Americans now hold membership in any religious institution, and even fewer attend worship services. The decline in Christian churches is especially pronounced among the young, cutting across all denominations.

But for Methodists and like-minded Protestants, concerns are deeper than shrinking denominational membership. Polls show disconcerting ignorance about religious and spiritual matters even among churchgoers. Our values as a society are in large measure molded by religion. What shape will Protestant Christianity take in the 21st century? And of Methodism? And beyond that, what kind of community will we be?

Dawsey proposes returning to the roots of Christianity. And with anecdotes, stories, and a sweeping grasp of church history, he examines those essential practices and beliefs necessary to revitalize American churches. The key, he argues, is rediscovering Christianity as a philosophy of living.

John Wesley characterized the practice of religion as doing no harm, doing good, and keeping the ordinances of faith. Loving God and God's creation—the doing of Christianity—marks the path for becoming the churches and individuals Christians were called to be.