The church has been specially created and called by God to be in the world in order to stand out (or “shine”) in the world. She is to be an alternate community that doesn’t just counter the culture but displays a new culture for the glory of God and the good of the world. In this workshop we will review the theology behind understanding the church as a countercultural community. We will then consider some practical and indeed provocative implications for this in topics like: relationships (especially across ethnic and social lines), money, sexuality, and facing suffering.