Learning to Be: Reconstructing Peace and Spiritual Health (Paperback or Softback)

Now, more than ever, there is an alarming number of people searching for spiritual health, a subversive movement leaving a once vibrant faith behind.

The process of deconstructing one’s faith can be helpful, but without intentional reconstruction, people end up doing more harm than good. There is a global trend of Christians returning to the liturgy of the early Church as an antidote to the overly-produced mega-church versions that tend to leave people in first gear, while simultaneously encouraging them to jump directly to fifth gear without all the preparation found in the middle gears. In Learning to Be, Chad E. Jarnagin shares a life-changing perspective of a healthy faith by challenging and investigating spiritual orientations, postures, and healthy ways forward.

Learning to Be posits that people are not able to move forward with new, healthy practices and rhythms without first healing from past toxins, abuse, and unhealthy patterns. Chad points out some of the issues believers face and why in order to show that there are healthy ways forward through new (old) spiritual practices and postures that enhance and assist stillness and a slower pace. He also provides weekly worship directions and traditions that help reorient a life of devotion while addressing spiritual practices found in Anglicanism, as well as Benedictine and Ignatian Spirituality that help people of all sectors of faith move forward and learn to be still again.

Chad E. Jarnagin is an Anglican priest and Rector of Luminous Anglican Parish, Franklin, TN as well as an aspirant to the Rule of Saint Benedict. He attended Carson Newman University and Berklee College of Music and is pursuing a Master of Biblical Studies, as well as a certification for Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and aspires to work toward a doctorate. Chad has abundant experience as a musician and speaker, including over 1800 touring appearances. His focus on contemplation and spiritual health has made him an acclaimed and trusted voice. He was named Top 100 2009 Top Bloggers and included in the 2013 40 Under 40 Change-Makers in Rejuvenate Magazine. Member, President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (2003-2009). A curator and teacher of the Enneagram personality typing system. Chad grew up around Cincinnati, Ohio and has now lived in Nashville, Tennessee area for over twenty years with his wife and three sons.