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| Len Member Joined Nov 7, 2007 255 posts Location: Kelowna, BC |
 Anabaptists and new-monasticism |
Posted Jan 21, 2010; 5:37 pm |
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I submitted an article that looks at this synthesis to the coming issue of DIRECTION. And then today I ran across this on an NZ blog..
Everyone a monk: historical connections between Anabaptism and Monasticism.
The latest issue on On The Road, the journal of the Anabaptist Association of Australia and New Zealand is out, and it is themed around this years conference on “New Monasiticsm”. The stand out reflection (for me) is a lengthy article by Gordon Preece (the title of which is the title of this blog post).
Here’s an excerpt:
“…The trouble with being asked to talk about monasticism is that it could be habit-forming; I’ve now been asked to turn my Australia Day AAANZ conference talk into an article. The real issue though is whether the combined strengths of monasticism and Anabaptism (AB) can provide holy habits that may sustain us in our journey towards the city of God in the new Dark Ages of global economic and ecological meltdown…”
Preece’s article begins on page 7 of the PDF attached below. Those with an interest in New Monasticism will find this a fascinating issue. Enjoy.
http://prodigal.typepad.com/files/on-the-road---march-2009.pdf |
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| gay lynn voth Member Joined Jan 25, 2005 732 posts |
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Posted Jan 26, 2010; 1:06 pm |
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Thanks for this link, Len. I have taken a look at some of what is there and appreciated seeing how others are picking up on various elements of the Anabaptist tradition and re-interpreting them for contemporary use. I hope others will take a look as well. Preece includes an interesting discussion about the relationship between Anabaptists and the Reformed tradition that is relevant.
I look forward to reading your article in the Direction. |
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| thursday Member Joined May 6, 2009 94 posts |
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Posted Jan 27, 2010; 3:00 pm |
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Len thanks for this it is interesting that you bring it up since I was just thinking about this connection yesterday  .
I'm not overly familiar with "New Monasticism" but I believe the movement owes a lot of its formation to Jonathan Wilson, in his 1998 book called "Living Faithfully in a Fragmented World" (see wikipedia new-monasticism). As far as I can tell Wilson is something of an "Anabaptist appreciator" though not one himself. |
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| Sudsy Member Joined Sep 23, 2003 2902 posts |
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Posted Jan 28, 2010; 1:17 pm |
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Yes, thanks Len, this was an interesting read on the history of this topic. What stands out to me is that throughout history man keeps wandering from the ways of Christ. Often to be 'more holy' we withdraw from worldly involvement and become isolated communities. To become 'more missional' we try to 'fit in' and sometimes transformation is substituted for reformation. We either don't become missional, at least in a local sense, or we go for numbers/results that too often don't turn out to produce transformed lives.
I believe Jesus showed the balance we need. He took time out to get alone for prayer, guidance and getting spiritually re-charged for each day. He spent time ministering and fellowship with His followers. And He also mingled with society where they lived and demonstrated the Kingdom way of life through words and deeds in missional work. Any 'new-monasticism' that follows this example is one I am interested in being part of.
Can this be accomplished in the way we now 'do church' ? I don't think so without some pretty big changes. Many are quite comfortable to live our their lives with minimal changes within our institutions as we have a choice, to some extent here, whereas the changes in the world are forced upon us. Often these folk are the ones that pay the bills to keep these institutions operating. Others who don't think the current ways make sense, just quit attending. And a remnant will once again attempt another movement back to some form of community in mission involvement. Hopefully, the latter will bring about a revival of Christ followers that follow according to Christ example in the scriptures. |
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| Len Member Joined Nov 7, 2007 255 posts Location: Kelowna, BC |
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Posted Feb 3, 2010; 12:23 pm |
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So maybe the question is not "can this be accomplished" but "how do we get there?"
I think I have partially answered that question in the article I sent to DIRECTION last month.. to appear in the current winter issue.
But I think many others are also answering that question in books, articles and conversations everywhere. In sum, I think I would quote Richard Rohr
"We dont' think our way into new ways of living - we live our way into new ways of thinking."
Related, a new resource..
Growing Deeper in Our Church Communities:
50 Ideas for Connection in a Disconnected Age
By Christopher Smith
This little book aims to offer practical solutions that by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit may help move us away from the disconnectedness that often overshadows our lives, as churches and individuals.
Scot McKnight has described Growing Deeper: “Fantastic practical ideas that most local churches can do to help connection and fellowship.”
The author, Chris Smith, is a member of the Englewood Christian Church community on the near-eastside of Indianapolis. He is also the editor of The Englewood Review of Books. He regularly writes and speaks on topics related to church, community and God’s reconciliation of all things.
Growing Deeper is now available on the Englewood Review website. The following link offers readers a quick preview of the eBook, as well as a bio for the author. If you chose to review this title and are pointing people there, please use the link:
http://erb.kingdomnow.org/free-ebook-growing-deeper-by-chris-smith/ |
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