Rooted in the Wild: Revitalizing the Church in a Blended Ecology

Discover the blended ecology model for modern churches. How can the church adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing culture while staying true to its roots? With churches facing declining attendance and outreach struggles, Rooted in the Wild offers a timely and inspiring solution. Author Michael Adam Beck introduces the concept of a ＂blended ecology＂ of the church. This groundbreaking approach combines the ＂deep roots＂ of traditional practices with the ＂wild branches＂ of fresh, unconventional expressions of faith. From biblical foundations to real-world examples, Beck explores how churches can honor their heritage while reaching new people in unexpected places, such as homes, tattoo parlors, and dog parks. This isn’t just a lofty vision - it’s a practical, hands-on guide filled with actionable strategies for revitalizing your church community. Whether you’re a leader in an established congregation or someone pioneering innovative ways of doing ministry, Rooted in the Wild shows how tradition and innovation can work together to create meaningful transformations. This book serves as a roadmap to bridge the past and the future, helping your congregation grow as a community while expanding its ministry to all.

Michael Adam Beck is the Director of Fresh Expressions for The United Methodist Church and a lecturer and program director at several seminaries, including the Fresh Expressions House of Studies at United Theological Seminary. He is senior pastor of St. Mark’s UMC in Ocala, FL, and has served as co-pastor with his wife Jill, directing addiction recovery programs, a jail ministry, food pantry, and racial justice movements. He is the author of several books, including Doing Justice Together and A Field Guide to Methodist Fresh Expressions.