Cross & Culture Series

As All Saints seeks to “live as the body of Christ in Austin for the world” we are continually asking how we are called to engage with the culture of which we find ourselves a part. The Cross & Culture series is a launching pad for thoughtful discourse on the dynamic and complex parts of our culture in which we participate daily, including everything from music and literature to movies and politics.

The Artistry & Design of Sacred Space

Why does church architecture matter?
What does church design communicate about God,
and how does it impact our worship and mission as Christ's body?
 Why does All Saints look the way that it does?

On Friday, April 21 we examined these questions and more with the help of author and speaker, Dr. David Taylor, and a panel of experts at our annual Cross & Culture event on the intersection of faith, culture, and the arts.

Participant Bios

Dr. David Taylor
Keynote Speaker
W. David O. Taylor is Associate Professor of Theology and Culture at Fuller Theological Seminary. Prior to his appointment at Fuller, Dr. Taylor served as a pastor for ten years. Born and raised in Guatemala City, he has lectured widely on the arts in both academic and popular settings, from Thailand to South Africa. Taylor has served as board member of Christians In the Visual Arts (CIVA) and as a core participant in the “Theology, Modernity, and the Visual Arts” project, hosted by King’s College, London. He is the author of several books, including Glimpses of the New Creation: Worship and the Formative Power of the Arts (Eerdmans, 2019), Contemporary Art and the Church: A Conversation between Two Worlds (IVP Academic, 2017) and A Body of Praise: Understanding the Role of Our Physical Bodies in Worship (Baker Academic, 2023). In 2016 he produced a short film on the psalms with Bono and Eugene Peterson. The June 2016 issue of Christianity Today featured him and his wife for their work with the church and the arts. And an ordained Anglican priest, he lives with his family in Austin, Texas. He tweets @wdavidotaylor and instagrams @davidtaylor_theologian.
Rev. Tim Frickenschmidt
Panelist
Tim Frickenschmidt is the Senior Pastor of All Saints. Tim and his wife, Elissa, moved to Austin in June 2006. He was ordained and installed at All Saints as an Assistant Pastor in August 2006 and then later, in 2012, elected and installed as the church’s Senior Pastor. Originally from Enid, OK, Tim attended Oklahoma State University for his undergraduate degree. He and Elissa served with Campus Crusade at Auburn University before attending seminary at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis. Tim and Elissa have three boys, Jake (sophomore at The University of Texas), Gage (high school senior), and Powell (8th grader). Having been Senior Pastor of All Saints throughout the process of planning and constructing the church campus, Tim has a great appreciation for the interplay between theology and architectural design, and the crucial connection between the two when planning any space, but particularly a worship space. 
Emily Teng Yan, AIA
Panelist
Emily Teng Yan, AIA, is an architect at Perkins & Will in Dallas. She is passionate about creating well-crafted buildings that focus on the community and place-making. Emily received her Bachelors of Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin and her Masters of Architecture from the University of Cincinnati. Her graduate thesis focused on the relationship of craftsmanship to sacred spaces and the role of the architect as the craftsman in creating places of rest within society. Emily has worked on a range of projects in worship, cultural, education and commercial. A few of Emily's notable projects are the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, Park Cities Presbyterian Church and Highland Park Presbyterian Church. During her free time, she enjoys traveling, volunteering in her community, and spending time with her husband and daughter. 
Arthur Andersson, FAIA
Panelist
Arthur W. Andersson is one of the founding principals, along with F. Christian Wise, of Andersson / Wise Architects. Arthur studied architecture at the University of Kansas and the University of London, graduating with a Bachelor of Environmental Design in 1979. Andersson/Wise was founded in 2001. As Design Director, Arthur’s role is to provide leadership by integrating the client into the collaborative process and establishing design concepts. He is the principal in charge of the overall design process and of facilitating client communications through the design phases of each project. Andersson / Wise designed All Saints’ campus and we are thrilled to begin to see the designs for the next phase take shape.
Bruce Buescher
Featured Artist
Bruce Buescher is an architect and artist living and working in San Antonio, TX. He earned a BArch from Auburn University, where he participated in the acclaimed Rural Studio and received the AARC King medal for his thesis "Beauty, Ecology and Architecture". After graduation he worked for Leers Weinzapfel Associates in Boston where he was extensively involved in the design and construction of the Harvard University District Energy Facility. During this time he began making paintings on the side and in 2019-2020 he and his wife participated in a handful of artist residencies around the country. Bruce is currently committed to parallel architectural and artistic practices, working full time at Tobin Smith Architect and making art in between spending time with his wife, daughter and dog.
Josh Welker
Featured Artist
Josh, his wife Michelle, and their three boys, Fred, Charlie, and Eden, live in San Antonio, TX. Josh’s studio is behind their house. They like to ride bikes and swim together. They also spend a lot of time at their local climbing gym. Josh and Michelle attended All Saints when it was still in a gymnasium. In 2009 they both graduated from UT Austin (where Fred is hoping to study architecture). Josh’s family reports to still feel a deep gratitude and connection to many of the congregants and pastors at All Saints who walked with them through some of their more difficult times.