Being a Sanctuary
The Radical Way for the Body of Christ to Be Sacred, Soft, and Safe
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About
"Perreaux-Dominguez constructs a solid model of church reform. . . . This inspires."--Publishers Weekly
What does it mean to be the Body of Christ in a healthy and holy way?
When news outlets reveal church scandals or we hear stories about people leaving the church, it can seem as though we are in a bit of a crisis as the Body of Christ. In Being a Sanctuary, Pricelis Perreaux-Dominguez--who has experienced abuse, trauma, and racism within the church--takes us on an honest, biblical, and reflective journey as she examines the state of the church and offers us a hopeful path forward.
Perreaux-Dominguez focuses on three aspects of God's vision for the church: that it would be sacred (Bible based), soft (trauma informed), and safe (justice centered). Each section of the book explores what these mean for the church using biblical teaching, practical instruction, and stories from her own experiences. She unpacks practical steps the body of Christ can take to realize this vision and cultivate a lifestyle of being a sanctuary, including repenting, pursuing sanctification, showing Christ's compassion, healing injustices, choosing unity over uniformity, and being advocates.
This book is for anyone ready to be both challenged and encouraged on how we, as the Body of Christ, can collectively return to God's foundational call to be radicals who choose the path of being sacred, soft, and safe--just like Jesus is.
Contents
Introduction (But, Really, an Invitation)
Selah Prelude
Part 1: Sacred--From Passivity to Responsibility
1. Selah Will Be Our Saving Grace
2. Higher and Holier
3. The Roots of Uniformity and the Road toward Unity
4. Taking Sanctification Seriously
Selah Interlude: The Body I Now See
Part 2: Soft--From Collision to Compassion
5. A Call to Collective Suffering, or Practicing Presence
6. A Place for the Weary, Wounded, and Wandering
7. Living in Sighs and Silence
8. Souls over Sides and Stances
Selah Interlude: Choosing to Be Last
Part 3: Safe--From Observing to Responding
9. Know Peace, Know Justice
10. "Go and Do Likewise"
11. Beloved before Anything
12. Being Sanctuaries
Selah Postlude: Restorative Radicals
Endorsements
"Within the pages of Being a Sanctuary, Pricelis Perreaux-Dominguez lays bare a thought-provoking journey into the essence of Christ's vision for his church. This book sparks a vital discourse on restoration and the true embodiment of what Jesus intended for his community, the Body of Christ. This book is essential reading for those yearning to rediscover a church that embodies the profound love and grace of Christ, offering solace and strength as Psalm 46:1 assures: 'God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.' This is the strength the church must cling to during its present crisis of apathy."
Latasha Morrison, New York Times bestselling author of Be the Bridge; CEO and founder of Be the Bridge
"Pricelis's love for the church is matched by her passion for truth. In this crisis moment of the church, many will find their own story in this book. Many of us will resonate with this longing to belong to something real and meaningful that points to the beauty and justice of God. This invitation to restoration through truth is one we all need."
Sandra María Van Opstal, pastor and author of The Next Worship
"Pricelis Perreaux-Dominguez addresses the church with passionate love. Sometimes those with the strongest words speak boldly because they have ferocious hope. That hope is palpable through these pages. Pricelis calls the Body of Christ to rise up and shine like Christ himself."
Faith Eury Cho, pastor and author of Experiencing Friendship with God
"As a pastor, I am grateful to have voices like Pricelis's in the church. As we all learn how to serve better those who have been hurt in the church but do not leave the church, books like this will prove an invaluable resource."
Jeremy Jenkins, executive director of All Things All People
"Rather than grow calloused from serving as collateral in the white evangelical machine, Pricelis chose softness and safety. Throughout these pages, she invites readers to see themselves as welcoming sanctuaries to all image bearers, embodying the gospel for every tribe and tongue."
Tiffany Bluhm, author of The Women We've Been Waiting For and Prey Tell
"Being a Sanctuary is a challenge: a challenge to comfortable Christianity and self-centered faith. Pricelis is not afraid to face complicated, painful topics, including her own story of church hurt and loss, to help Christians become a safe place in a wild world. Being a sanctuary means really seeing people: not just stances and sides but people loved by God who need a truth that sets them free."
Phylicia Masonheimer, founder and CEO, Every Woman a Theologian
The Author
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Carolina Ramirez Pricelis Perreaux-Dominguez
Pricelis Perreaux-Dominguez (MSW, MSEd) is a truth-teller and space builder committed to helping the Body of Christ be healthy and holy. She is the founder and CEO of Full Collective, creator of the annual Sowers Summit, and host of the Being a...
Continue reading about Pricelis Perreaux-Dominguez
Reviews
"Christians must work together to repair an American church riven by crisis, division, and disillusionment, according to this wise guide. . . . Perreaux-Dominguez constructs a solid model of church reform that recognizes social, cultural, and racial differences while prioritizing the essential unity that comes from 'working alongside Christ' and one another. This inspires."
Publishers Weekly