Daniel Medina
http://www.pastordanielmedina.com/
Rev. Dr. Daniel Medina was born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Miami, Florida. A graduate of Florida International University, Daniel went on to serve in U.S. Military Intelligence. He holds graduate degrees from the University of Oklahoma and St Thomas University (Florida Center for Theological Studies), Miami Gardens, FL.
Dr. Medina recently published the second edition (revised and updated) of his first book, The Scandalous Menu, and has written on several topics, including Sacramental Theology, Charles Williams’ Theology of Romantic Love & Co-Inherence, Zen Meditation, Consciousness, Near Death Experiences, World Religions, and Spirituality. Dr. Medina is an ordained Anglican Priest (The Anglican Mission) , a public schoolteacher, and Pastor of the United Church of the Good Shepherd, a parish located in Cutler Bay, FL, affiliated with the Alliance of Baptists, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, and the Christian Universalist Association.
Dr. Medina is Founder & Prior of Banyan Abbey and Founder & Director of The South Florida Meditation & Mindfulness Society, a local counseling service in South Florida. Daniel teaches Mindfulness, Meditation, Yoga, and is a Sound Therapist. He has served South Florida as a clergyman for over 15 years and lives in Miami with his wife, Victoria.
Dr. Medina is a Husband, Father, Son, Ordained Minister, Monk, Teacher, Educational Psychologist, Counselor, Life Coach, Spiritual Director, Lay Zen & Taijiquan Practitioner, a Certified Mindfulness Teacher, Haiku Poet, Jazz Drummer, Sound Therapist, Lacto-Vegetarian, Cyclist, Urban Gardener, Amateur Photographer, Pilgrim, Lyricist, Mandala Designer & Amateur Ensō artist.
Works

The Scandalous Menu: Supper for Prophets & Disciples (Updated & Revised)
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