Synopsis
The Sacred Secular examines cultural spaces where people are experiencing something sacred. These places are not in the church. They're in yoga studios, neighborhood potlucks, and TED Talks. Dottie Escobedo-Frank and Rob Rynders see lessons for the church in these spaces. They see new ways we can convey to people that the church is uniquely sacred and significant and that Jesus is for them. These glimpses into the sacred-secular will inspire creative church leaders to set aside their assumptions about what church looks like. The Sacred Secular nurtures empowerment, creativity, spiritual movement, and the courage to embody the sacredness and substance of our faith. "Many of us in the church (including clergy) feel we have more in common with the 'spiritual but not religious' than we have with lots of church folks these days. We are just as spiritually hungry and thirsty as ever, but we're open to finding God in surprising places and spaces . . . including 'secular' ones. This beautifully written book is all about that phenomenon. I think you're going to love it." --Brian D. McLaren, author/speaker, brianmclaren.net "Be prepared to hear contemporary stories akin to the Apostle Peter discovering God in an 'outsider'--Cornelius--in twenty-first-century urban America. This book is a jewel from two missional church practitioners in The United Methodist Church. It offers wisdom, vision, creativity, and humility that will mark the gospel-bearing church of the future. I highly recommend The Sacred Secular to pastors, church planters, and laity who want their congregations to know how to develop culturally connected faith communities in our rapidly changing world." --Elaine A. Heath, Dean, Duke Divinity School, Duke University, Durham, NC
About the Authors
Dottie Escobedo-Frank earned her Master of Divinity from Claremont School of Theology and her Doctor of Ministry from George Fox Evangelical Seminary in Semiotics and Future Studies. Dottie is an elder in the Desert Southwest Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, where she serves as the District Superintendent of the South District. She is a speaker and writer, and her work has centered on church revitalization, worship and preaching, and multicultural ministry. Dottie is the author of Converge: Our Common Sins, Jesus Insurgency with Rudy Rasmus, ReStart Your Church, Sermon Seeds, Advent and Christmas, and the Igniting Worship Series.
Rob Rynders is a United Methodist pastor and consultant for nonprofits and small businesses. He is the co-founder and previous co-pastor of City Square Church, an innovative United Methodist faith community in downtown Phoenix. He uses his strengths in strategic planning and visioning to connect people and ideas to each other, in order to make our communities and the world a better place. In 2012 Rob was honored with Claremont School of Theology's Distinguished Alumnus award. He lives in Tucson, AZ with his wife and two sons.
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