Being a Sanctuary: The Radical Way for the Body of Christ to Be Sacred, Soft, and Safe

by Pricelis Perreaux-Dominguez

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 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.

Genres: Christian, Church, Nonfiction, Theology, Faith, Christian Living, Spirituality

224 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 10, 2024

Reviews

[Richard Propes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I still remember sitting in a small room opposite two Elders in my congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, the church in which I grew up.

This would be a short meeting that would change my life. Devastate it, really. Until then, I'd been actively engaged in the church and had been sharing messages, preaching really, since the age of eight. However, this meeting would determine that I was gay, unacceptable as a JW, and I would be banned from all church activities and from associating from the children and families I'd grown to love.

While this would be dramatic enough, the truth is it was only part of the story. It would take me years to figure out that I am not, in fact, gay. I am a childhood sexual abuse survivor who grew up in a church that has a long history of sweeping such reports under the rug.

There was nothing wrong with me. It was them. It was always them.

This wasn't the first time I'd experienced a shattering of the safety that once expects in a church family. It would not be the last. I would have a similar experience, for different reasons, with the Vineyard Christian Fellowship and, once again, would be told to leave.

I thought about these experiences often while reading Pricelis Perreaux-Dominguez's "Being a Sanctuary: The Radical Way for the Body of Christ to be Sacred, Soft, and Safe."

If we're being honest, it's no longer surprising to hear of church scandals, people leaving the church, and a garden variety of abuses. Nearly all major denominations are experiencing declines in membership and at times it feels like politics has taken a precedent over prayer and people.

Perreaux-Dominguez poses a question that is simultaneously simple yet complex - What does it mean to be the Body of Christ in a healthy and holy way?

Can we get back to being the Church that we were intended to be? Perreaux-Dominguez shares both personal testimony and her deep wisdom to take us on an honest, biblical, and contemplative journey as she both speaks honestly about the current state of the church and offers us a hope-filled path forward.

Perreau-Dominguez herself has experienced abuse, trauma, and racism within church walls. That gives "Being a Sanctuary" a personal relevance and emotional resonance that reverberates often. She 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).

There's a good chance you will finish "Being a Sanctuary" thinking to yourself that if feels rather fundamental. Indeed, it does. Yet, in some ways that feels like exactly what's missing. We've gotten away from the fundamentals of what it means to be the church and what it means to truly belong to one another.

With each section, Perreaux-Dominguez utilizes biblical teaching, practical instruction, personal testimony, and wise companionship to offer a step forward. "Being a Sanctuary" is incredibly practical, however, it's also very mindful and constantly offers opportunities for introspection, self-reflection, and personal healing. She looks at what it means to be "sanctuary" and then how we can passionately pursue it through repentance, pursuing sanctification, showing and sharing Christ's compassion, healing injustices big and small, choosing unity (rather than uniformity), and active advocacy.

"Being a Sanctuary" is inclusive in its teachings. I was touched that Perreaux-Dominguez references disability more than once (trust me, a rarity) and challenges all of us to do what we can to become the radicals we were meant to be by returning to being a church that is sacred, soft, and safe.

As someone who so seldom feels safe, there were times I found myself mumbling "I want this church!" as I read "Being a Sanctuary." Yet, I also found myself wanting to actually be that church. One of my personal meditations as I was reading became "I want to be the safety that I needed most."

For those who've experienced church-related trauma, "Being a Sanctuary" is a nurturing reminder that we're called to a better way. With wisdom, softness, and holy wisdom, Perreaux-Dominguez invites us on a journey toward getting there.

[Kate Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm convicted and encouraged by this book. The message was something I've both been longing to see and needing to hear. The writing style was hard to get into at first, but it picked up as the book went on.

Definitely check this out!

[Grecia T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will write my full review soon. I need 5 to 10 business days to process. But I truly believe this is required reading for all but especially Christians. Those who have been wounded by the church. Those who see the hurt and want to help. Just an incredible book. If one gave standing ovations to books, this one would get 3 from me.

*FULL REVIEW LOADING*

This book was made with intention. I could tell there was a lot of heart and thought that went into each chapter. The discussion questions make it a great tool for a book club or community group. I also found the inclusion of scripture to reference with each chapter so incredibly grounding. The selah intermissions were very helpful. It was nice to slow down and process what was reading.

[Beth Pederson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“There is partiality in the world, but they can’t be in the kingdom of God due to gifting, position, or being known. We must be set apart from the world in all ways, including this one. If the world has influencers, we should have people making an impact. If the world has celebrities, we should have Christ centered teachers discipline us. If the world has systems and structures of partiality, we should create a culture where pews, platforms, and pulpits don’t determine your worth." We must be a Sanctuary!

This book is a five star read and should be read by Christians and non-Christians alike. Pri is the real deal. You can see who she is as she writes about us being called to be people who are soft, safe, and sacred. This book also has many scriptures laid out in it, thought-provoking questions, and Selah meditations. I know typically we can only give a five star rating however this is a 10 out of 10 and a must read for everyone.

[Sarah Masterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being A Sanctuary was a breath of fresh air. Pri writes with grace, truth, and helps to illuminate Scripture. The reflective questions, breath prayers, and Scripture selections were well-chosen and timely.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the last few years, many people in the big “C” church have experienced spiritual abuse or trauma and have fled their home churches as they have become jaded after hearing scandal after scandal. To be honest, I was struggling with this too. It felt like in 2020, amidst the global pandemic that we were experiencing, I couldn’t go a week without hearing about a Christian leader who was exposed for something immoral. I understood why people were leaving the church. It was frustrating and exhausting.

I appreciate Pricelis Perreaux-Dominguez’s heart in addressing the hurt experienced in the church and encouraging the body of Christ to become healthy and holy. In her book, Being a Sanctuary, she shares three ways that the body of believers can be healthy: by being sacred (focused on Scripture), soft (trauma-informed), and soft (justice-oriented).

I wish I could fully explain how encouraging and hopeful this book made me feel. In many non-fiction or Christian books, there is a call to action, but that call can often attached to feelings of guilt or shame. I didn’t get that feeling while reading this book. I felt seen, cared for, and challenged. Perreaux-Dominguez focuses on identifying all people as image bearers, as ones who are deserving of dignity. Her message is simple yet beautiful and can be easily dismissed, especially regarding people we disagree with. But she provides practical suggestions to ensure that we take notice of those who are often forgotten, isolated, ostracized, or who have fallen away from Christ.

You can tell that there is so much intentionality in writing this book. I recently listened to her podcast interview from “With The Perrys,” and I loved hearing about her purpose, even with the cover. After each chapter or section, Perreaux-Dominguez provides resources (key radical points, restorative meditations, Scripture to sit with, and Selah interludes) for readers to slow down, mulling what they have learned and moving them from inaction to action. She sees people as God sees them, and I desire to do the same.

I encourage everyone to check this book out. Her audiobook is on sale on Amazon right now, or you can check out my affiliate Bookshop link below.

[Alex Marque · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book that offers clear wisdom from the scriptures and from the authors real lived experience and expertise that deserves an ear. The author does a great job of calling the church to live out its vocation as the body of Christ in a way that seeks the dignity of all human beings (the author also models the humility and love to give dignity to those that would not agree with her and even lash out at her). The book is honest about when the church has not lived up to its calling but in no way is the book despairing. On the contrary, the book is full of hope—hope in God who is at work in the church for the world. The book has conviction and encouragement for all as the author again and again points the reader back to Christ. This book would be great for church leaders, church groups and individuals alike to wrestle with where their “blind spots” might be and how we can truly see all who God calls us to love.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written book that brings the love of Christ and the difficult issues of our generation into the same conversation—without anger. It references relevant scripture (some of the usual verses and some that are unusual). It also offers reflective questions and models healing prayers/meditations to “selah” about the relevant topic of each chapter.

[Maegan McCown · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is so much healing that is necessary for both people hurt by the Church and the Church itself. This helps to provide some deeper insight into how to be apart of the body that is truly there for everyone, not just the people that fit the narrative of a Christian

[Nirupa Mathew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a Sanctuary was a pleasant surprise that left me feeling seen and understood within its pages. It’s rare to find a Christian author who addresses justice issues so insightfully while keeping the gospel at the forefront. The book challenged me with its call to extend gentleness and compassion to everyone as image bearers, while also reminding me to be gracious to myself. I especially appreciated the emphasis on practicing selah—pausing, embracing stillness, and listening for God’s voice.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a Sanctuary not only invites the Body of Christ to be the sanctuary it's meant to be, but its pages also offer the experience of entering a sanctuary. The pages are “sacred, soft, and safe” places for a broad range of readers. Each chapter is punctuated with invitations to accountability, personal anecdotes, thought-provoking reflective questions, and, perhaps most importantly, practical invitations to remain in prayer and scripture.

While remaining digestible, it's evident that a gifted Bible scholar and teacher thoughtfully organized the material. Readers familiar with the Bible will likely appreciate the author's diligent workmanship, rightly dividing the Word of truth. Those who are less familiar will likely appreciate the historical and contemporary contexts she offers for the scriptures cited.

The material does not assume that every reader is familiar with (or even interested in) contemporary church culture, nor does it assume that active members of the Body are necessarily aware of (or oblivious to) the harmful consequences of some of the body's practices. This book considers every reader with compassion, dignity, and mercy, regardless of their relationship with the Church. No one is vilified. No one is othered. All are invited to stop and consider how they can walk out the radically kind, just, and merciful way of Jesus. I anticipate revisiting this book regularly, whether acting as a disciple or seeking discipling.

[Fontana Arnaud · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so well written & practical & timely. I feel so challenged and equipped and inspired.
Such a beautiful marriage of knowledge and instruction.

[Lucy Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perreaux-Dominguez’s gifts for teaching and mercy combine wonderfully in this beautiful and truly honorable call to justice and holiness within the Bride of Christ.

[Victoria Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pricelis's love for people is evident throughout this book as she challenges and reminds the Body of Christ to be people that always honor and see the Image of God in each and every person.

[Shanté Grossett O'Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book and I appreciate Pricelis' heart for the Church. She opens the book by expressing that the Body of Christ is in crisis. Although the Body is in crisis, Pricelis does not simply point to its faults and shortcomings. Instead, she calls the Body to be a sanctuary, or, as she describes it, a place that people can call safe, soft, and sacred. I liked that the book was divided into three sections. In the first section, "Safe," she emphasizes the importance of pausing and listening rather than pursuing fast growth and success. Pausing helps us to hear God's voice more clearly so that we can properly abide in his will. She also calls Christians back to Jesus' call to love one another -- whether they be our friend or our enemy. Lastly, in this section, she addresses the need for unity rather than uniformity within the Church. In the second section, "Soft," she highlights compassion and the need to be trauma-informed Christians. In the final section, "Safe," she discusses the need for justice in Christian circles. She explains that all Christians are called to pursue justice, even if they are not directly impacted by injustice. Overall, I enjoyed this book and the way in which Pricelis weaves in her own story of faith and dealing with Church trauma to communicate her message. I think that this book can be a good starting point for Christians wanting to find a way forward after witnessing or experiencing scandals, sin, injustices, trauma, and other issues in the Church.

[Jennifer Dawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a Sanctuary is not only a formational book for the current state of the church and our world, but it’s a guide for times and generations to come. I finished the book feeling a tangible shift and awareness of my perspective, yet I’d only just begun to let its contents soak in. It’s a book that I will continue to reference and use to reflect, whether national conflicts arise or I’m struggling to treat fellow image bearers with dignity. Being a Sanctuary isn’t a one time read, but a tool to take with you throughout your faith journey.

[Kerri Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2

[Ayanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOWWWW, UGHHHHH, OH MY GOODNESS, YESSSSSSS, NOOOOOO, ARE YOU KIDDING ME, CALM DOWN Ayanna, and WOOOOOO HOOOOOO are just a few of, as the younger people say “All the things” that I said, felt, and perhaps both reading Being a Sanctuary: The Radical Way for the Body of Christ to Be Sacred, Soft, and Safe by Pricelis Perreaux-Dominguez. When choosing to read a book which deals with issues of this nature, I do not want to be screamed at, preached at, condemned, disregarded, or blamed. What I want is to read Truth, be invited to feel safe being vulnerable while revisiting some of the same experiences, learn about other perspectives, be reminded of the hope I have, how to practically be restored and restore others, and that’s exactly what I got!

The author uses her journey through the dark times of being abused in the church yet this book is not focused on her. She explores these experiences in such a descriptive way that the Body of Christ and those who were once part of the Body of Christ can benefit from. A profound statement Pricelis makes “None of us should belong to the Body of Christ and not know how to be the Body of Christ” resonated with me because I’ve seen and experienced where we learned how to follow the protocols of a local body while neglecting how to be who Christ instituted, His church. There is something in this book that many will find their story in. My hope is that wherever you find your story, as you’re reading, you will be inspired, motivated, feel seen, and be courageous to take action.

I really appreciate that this was an easy read in that I did not have to grab a thesaurus, a dictionary, or the like given the weightiness of the subject. Pricelis’s choice of words and wording allows the reader to remain in the book to reflect, meditate, and pray without interruption. There is a lot of repetition of the same ideas and the ordeals she’s gone through which may not appeal to everyone; however these points are relevant and leave a deep impression.

Being a Sanctuary is engaging, informative, sobering, and encourages the reader to take the steps to being a sanctuary. Pricelis is a straight talker who will challenge you because of her love for Christ and His Body (which she stands by). This book gave me a greater appreciation of the Lord, His ways, and those made in His image. If you are one who likes reading books that incorporates the Word of God, want to find language and solutions for what you or others have experienced, and practical ways forward, please invest in a copy for yourself and for someone you love!

[Timothy Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a gift to the Church. Pricelis has articulated in this book a heartfelt, prophetic, and biblical plea for the Church to return to a form where she looks like Jesus again. The subtitle called this a "radical" way. Still, it is only radical because the current reputation of the Church in America has been so far removed from the very normal and biblical attributes that Pricelis argues for here. Being sacred, soft, and safe should not be unordinary. It shouldn't be hard for churches to embody this way of being. Unfortunately, it is unordinary, and I'm grateful that Pricelis has helped articulate both the problems and solutions for the Church to wrestle with.

This book has been written from a place of real personal experience as a member and leader in churches, from careful biblical study and practice, and from a compassionate and urgent desire to see the Church become healthy again. I think this book is a must-read for Christian leaders (both in church and para-church settings). This book is also an excellent resource for those who have experienced real wounds from Church spaces and need fresh vision and encouragement for what the Church should be and can be. This is also an excellent book for the very-churched Christians who may not understand why people have mixed feelings about the church so they can grow in awareness while owning the ways God might be inviting them to help their own churches become healthy and holy. I'm grateful for the effort and work put into this book, and excited for others to read and experience it.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gah! This was so good, I’m actually having trouble ording my thoughts.

The author, through personal anecdotes, Scripture, introspective questions, and breath prayers, calls us out, and calls us home.

My favourite bit, was the centering of Imago Dei, and how, by focusing on every persons’ intrinsic value, we’re more able see past The Sides and Stances, and recognize The Soul. #hallelujahfixitjesus

I also really appreciated her acknowledging hurdles those with disabilities and neurodivergence face in the physical building of the church, and how people can’t ‘come as they are’ if their needs aren’t met. We managed to change the wafer to gluten-free for our celiac congregants, we can probably turn down the light show and turn up the house lights.

As and afirming believer, I didn't agree with everything, but Sacred, Soft, and Safe are tremendous tentpoles – a great place for us to start.

Thanks to NetGalley, and Baker Academic for this actionable ARC.

[Stacy Vrooman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pricelis wrote a book that everyone in the big C Church should read. Even if you don’t think you need it you should read it anyways. Her love for the Church, even as she holds it to account, shines through in her writing. She is calling us all to be sacred, soft and safe when I think it is easy to say that has not been true of the American church for some time. She provides practical and scriptural encouragement for why and how we can do this well for Body of Christ. If there are parts that make you a little uncomfortable it probably means that it applies to you (read, me) and I would take it to the Holy Spirit for how you can make a change. Thank you for writing a book I didn’t know I needed but I’m so thankful I read. This book is a gift to the Church.

[David Westerveld · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of good thoughts in this book. I appreciated the different perspective especially the idea of the church being soft and safe as well as sacred. I also appreciated the emphasis on not being "left" or "right" but rather Biblical which means sometime left and sometime right and sometime neither. There were a couple of things that bugged me a bit. One example was the repeated use of the phrase "trauma informed" She acknowledges the buzz wordyness of it, but I personally still found it distracting. Buzz words in general do too much work and I find it hard to know exactly what is meant when they are used. I would have preferred using less trendy words instead as I think it would have given more clarity and usefulness to this book.

[Addie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a timely, important book full of wisdom, truth, grace, exhortation, and hope for the church to become a healthier, holier place. So many people have left the church because it hasn’t looked like Jesus and there are so many stories of church hurt - abuses of power, silencing of voices, etc. Pricelis does not shy away from hard topics but instead illuminates a path with Scripture, reflective questions, meditations, and brilliant wisdom on how the church can move toward being a place of safety, rather than wounding. A place of refuge, instead of harm. O how needed and applicable this book is! CANNOT recommend it enough!!! Let’s change the story of church hurt. Order your book T O D A Y!

[John Wojciechowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a Sanctuary goes back to the basics of scripture reminding me that we, as Christians, are called to be a reflection of God’s love to ALL of our neighbors by being a safe space. We also should remind our Christian communities of this requirement when we see behaviors and attitudes that contradict with this call.

It addresses challenging topics with directness and dignity and has thought provoking prompts with practical steps to be a healthier and holier church.

[Sarah Butterfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a much-needed call to the church to be sacred (focused on scripture), soft (trauma-informed), and safe (justice-oriented). Throughout this book, the author's love for Jesus and the church shines through, despite her own story of church hurt. Each chapter features practical suggestions, a summary of key radical points, restorative meditations, and scriptures to sit with. I especially loved her focus on both personal AND collective responsibility!

[Olivia L. Gold · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was such a convicting and insightful read. there were so many lines i underlined, "mmmhmmm" moments, and gentle encouragement to be a better church for others.

The author speaks with gentleness but conviction. I loved the questions and Selahs and the Bible verses at the end of each chapter.

This is a perspective that the church needs to hear and listen to especially in a time when other voices are getting even louder.

Definitely something I would encourage all Christians to read.

[Liz Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning love letter and call to action for the church. What I found particularly striking and convicting is Pricelis’ gentle, but direct biblical rebuke of ANY partiality within the Body of Christ. It’s so common today for people to use the Bible to defend their “side” or stance, but in this book Pricelis offers a different way, the way of the Radical. Each chapter ends with reflection questions, meditations, and scriptures to dive deeper into each topic. What a beautiful gift to the Body.

[Stacey Cochran · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good book. Very timely. Practical yet not preachy, but completely Scriptural. The questions and reflections at the end of the chapter really stick with you. Highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be one of the most refreshing and simultaneously challenging books I have read this year. Pricelis is encouraging and yet also calls followers to a higher standard- to love God and people, act justly, to love mercy, and walk humbly with God. This will definitely be a book I return to again and again.

[Glenn Harden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerful forces in our culture are assaulting diversity, inclusion, and empathy. Here is a refreshing call for the church to resist these trends and embrace its call to be sacred, soft, and safe--that is, to be like Christ. The book is meant to be done in Christian community, especially churches. Recommended.