The Scandalous Menu

The Eucharist is the living parable of the Christian life and story. It embodies every aspiration, teaching, hope, sacrifice, and selfless act of mercy and grace. Christ left it as a memorial in word, presence, and deed. It is love before us as Christ's very own real presence empowers and wills us to love others as he loved us first. The Eucharist is the multisensory expression of Christ consciousness embodied in matter and in time. Anyone who embraces the real presence of Christ in Spirit and in truth will experience a life transformed. The experience of gathered worship, prayer, study, spirituality, and acts of justice and mercy will never again be the same. Written for the Church universal, The Scandalous Menu is a manifesto for the local church to embrace the supernatural power of the Eucharist and to reclaim the sacrament as the source of meaning and definition for life together as a people of God in Christ. It is the call to reaffirm marriage vows with the bridegroom and for aspiring to be a Eucharistic community in the context and place God has called the local church to be, serve, and do. This book is a call to a life of deep intimacy, a higher experience of God, and an invitation to unending transformation. ""There are few good books written on the Lord's Supper in the Free Church tradition, so I rejoice when one comes along. Medina believes that the Supper can renew worship, piety, and mission. . . . I recommend The Scandalous Menu to all who seek ways of enriching worship, especially to pastors and worship leaders. --John Rempel, Toronto Mennonite Theological Centre, Toronto School of Theology ""This book is a timely answer to the neglect of some important aspects of the celebration of the Lord's Supper in several Christian communities and provides an interesting interpretation that should be considered and analyzed by serious scholars and liturgical specialists."" --Marcos Antonio Ramos, Author and Church Historian ""Daniel provocatively challenges us to rediscover the power of the Lord's Supper. His insights have challenged me to make sure that this ancient practice does not get lost in routine but remains central in our gatherings and in our discipleship."" --Andy Frost, Share Jesus International ""In The Scandalous Menu Daniel Medina tackles a subject close to his heart. . . . Everything he writes and every sub-topic he approaches is meant to ultimately strengthen our corporate life together, as much as our personal relationship with our Lord, no matter what our tradition. . . . Read it and be blessed."" --Ray Hileman, Pastor, St. Petersburg First Church of the Brethren and Director, Heaven's Mirror Ministries Daniel Medina was born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Miami, Florida. He holds graduate degrees from the University of Oklahoma and the Florida Center for Theological Studies (St. Thomas University, Miami Gardens, Florida). Dr. Medina teaches at South Dade Senior High School, Homestead, FL, and serves as an Adjunct Professor for the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, South Florida Extension Center, Hialeah, FL. He has served as a nonconformist clergyman for over 15 years. He serves a local parish in Cutler Bay, FL, and lives in Miami with his wife, Victoria, and his family.