The Sacred Overlap: Learning to Live Faithfully in the Space Between (Seedbed Resources)

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The widening of political, racial, generational, and religious differences leads too often to an “us vs. them” mentality. The Sacred Overlap communicates a refreshing vision that embraces tension and shows us how to live in radical love and faithfulness between the extremes that isolate and divide people.

The gospels display how Jesus was committed to crossing the either/or waters of the cultural and societal wars of his day. His miracles and parables often broke or ignored religious and political lines that seemed all important. He comforted the disturbed and disturbed the comfortable.

Using Jesus’ example, J. R. Briggs offers a fresh and relevant understanding of evangelism and discipleship in our present time of extreme polarization. Without sacrificing biblical integrity, The Sacred Overlap is a joyful exploration of the complexity of life in the peace of Christ. With careful discernment, Briggs:

Shares creative ways to engage with God’s mission of ministering to those who are intrigued by Jesus but turned off by church.Explores what it means to be joyful in the midst of heart-wrenching pain and earthly suffering.Models what it means to maintain a posture of convicted civility which emphasizes both grace and truth.

The Sacred Overlap helps readers see how Christians are called to live with their feet firmly planted in two different worlds—in both heaven and earth—living naturally with both the sacred and the ordinary. Only then can a Christian be a faithful witness and disciple of Jesus.

From the Publisher

An excerpt from the introduction:

“The cultural, religious, political, relational, and familial divides are growing stronger; the arguments are becoming more explosive; and the defending of our opinions is growing more and more intense. Even a global pandemic, which had the potential to unite us and draw us together, has driven us further apart. If there is ever a time for the church to see a crucial opportunity to bring hope to our current context, this is it. The widening of extremes provides the church a fertile opportunity to live in the midst of the tension, to live in radical love and faithfulness between the extremes.”

—J.R. Briggs

Praise for The Sacred Overlap

“To embrace both/and faith is risky—and rewarding—business. It’s risky for those who prefer control to trust, simplification to nuance. It’s rewarding for those who appreciate just how much surprise is involved in following Jesus. The Sacred Overlap will prove immensely helpful for both personal discipleship and corporate mission.”

—JEN POLLOCK MICHEL, award-winning author of Surprised by Paradox

“This book is profound and powerful, witty and wise, light in touch, but loaded with weighty gems. It is a goldmine of insights and inspiration. J.R. Briggs has written the book we have all been waiting for.”

—LEONARD SWEET, bestselling author, professor, and founder of preachthestory.com

“This book should be read by all those who want to be formed into someone who can personally participate in crossing divides and working for a genuinely restorative common good—and are willing to have their assumptions challenged every step of the way.”

—TOD BOLSINGER, author of Canoeing the Mountains

“J.R. Briggs writes with thoughtful discernment about how the nuance and complexity of life can find resolution in the peace of Christ, even when we don’t have all the answers. I am deeply grateful for this book.”

—EMILY P. FREEMAN, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Next Right Thing

About the Author

J.R. BRIGGS is the founder of Kairos Partnerships (kairospartnerships.org), an organization serving leaders through leadership coaching, consulting, speaking, teaching, equipping, and writing. He also serves as the Director of Leadership and Congregational Formation for The Ecclesia Network and as National Trainer & Strategist for Fresh Expressions U.S. He teaches as an affiliate professor in the practical theology department at Missio Seminary. J.R. and his wife, Megan, have two sons and live in the greater Philadelphia area.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Zondervan (September 8, 2020)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 031010212X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0310102120
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.2 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.45 x 0.95 x 8.4 inches