a group of individuals who have learned how to communicate honestly with each other, whose relationships go deeper than their masks of composure, and who have developed some significant commitment to ‘rejoice together, mourn together,’ and ‘delight in each other, make others’ conditions our own.’
- M. Scott Peck, M.D. The Different Drum: Community-Making and Peace

I was asked to contribute to the latest issue of Conspire! magazine. You can see it on pages 16 and 17:

Here's what I originally submitted:

So, you’ve read Jesus for President and it changed your life! You’ve now joined the growing droves of Claibornagains–those young, twenty-something white folks, growing dreads, leaving the suburbs, headed to the city to join or start a community and save all the poor people in Shane’s, er, I mean Jesus’ name. I applaud your idealism. I envy your energy. I covet your beard and I want your single-gear bike... But there are just a few things to take into consideration.

This isn’t youth group. As awesome as it is to live with all these people, it’s hard. I used to think that as long as you all loved Jesus, you could live this way with anyone. It’s not true. Some of us are meant for each other. It’s almost like a marriage. In fact, coming up with a written “commitment” is never a bad idea with this kind of thing.

Don’t be a tourist. When it comes to communities such as these, tourists are those that think they can move in for a year or less, develop deep relationships and save the city. This stuff takes time. A long time. Most of us haven’t a clue what God has in store for us in our neighborhoods for years. And don’t think relationships are any easier! For those that can only experience this for a short time, enjoy it, soak it in. You will get a lot more than you will ever be able to give in such a short time. And that’s okay. Just know that this stuff doesn’t happen over night. You can have a wonderful plan. But you have no idea what God has in store for you.

You’re not St. Francis. That’s right, birds probably won’t rest on your finger and tell you what’s been going on in the neighborhood. If one does, get a book deal and fast! My point is that you’re not perfect, you’re not the epitome of selflessness and God (and Shane) is okay with that. Maybe you’ll forget to recycle or compost. Or maybe you just enjoy a greasy hamburger or latte now and then. Don’t kill yourself over this.

This is not a new and awesome idea. Shane, nor you, didn’t invent this. The Holy Spirit has been calling God’s people to this for centuries. Know that you follow a long line of people trying to live in prophetic ways. And not all of them are dead. So, you would be wise to go find some of them and learn from them.

You wouldn’t be in this if you weren’t an idealist. I’m not saying you should check your idealism at the door. You’ll need it. You need those ideals, you need that hope that got you to this point in the first place. Just be realistic. Be practical. And constantly ask yourself is this sustainable?

Obviously, the magazine decided to cut my tongue-in-cheek statements about Mr. Claiborne. For the record, I really appreciate Shane and his work. I was more intending to make jest of the fanaticism surrounding him... he is a clown afterall.

I've been having some conversations as of late with those that would consider themselves a part of the new monasticism genre. I deeply appreciate the intentions and actions of this group from what I can tell. Those I do know include some of the people I most highly respect. But I wonder if using the term "monasticism" is a bit of a misnomer. Afterall, from what I know, most of those that commonly fall under this label do not practice whipping themselves, or some of the other more unpopular historical monastic practices. And if we follow our history, monasticism has not historically been about being a monk, it's been about returning to the essence of the church.

When I was speaking in San Jose I was asked several times if I thought our community fell under that label. I said I didn't think so. Not that I don't want to be associated with these folks, but because I think what we're primarily interested in is new ecclesiology. The term new monasticism relegates these communities to para-church status. It also weakens the threat it poses to the Christendom institution. So, maybe it's a bit safer. But if I were to evaluate most of the communities I've peaked around at on the internet, they're new ecclesiology communities just as much as new monastic. They proclaim by their common life, There is another way to be the Body of Christ... Although, if one starts spelling it wrong with u's and z's I have to wonder if they're more interested in aesthetic as opposed to essence.

Read up on new monasticism here.

Tom Smith pulls it together quite succinctly.

Yep, it's been awhile. As I almost always say when I need an excuse, 'Lots has been goin' on.' I've been on an truly incredible inner journey over the last couple of months... I think I'll come back to that later, let's just say it's been rough but good. On another note, we went out to Ohio several weeks back for the Feast of St. Patrick's. Really rich time for all of us, the whole family. The kids were loved by older kids and so much Jesus-ness was demonstrated to them by kids under 18 years of age... I don't need to tell you what that automatically says of their parents.

But speaking of their parents... those folks are my personal Justice League. My son loves the Justice League. All of the most amazing super heroes are right there, in one room, working for the good of the world together. Could it get any better? In his mind, no way, not unless some of the Marvel characters joined the party. About once a year I get to hang out with my personal Justice League: all my heroes in one room. Even when we're surrounded by defeat, tragedy they save my sorry ass every time. I love them for it.

An added benefit to the trip was Matt Casper was able to come out for the weekend as well. Matt and I got to have a dialogue in one of the main sessions, talk about his book and field some questions. If you weren't there you can listen to it here. It was fun. Brooke and I also did a workshop on sustainability and the Kingdom of God and I think that was productive (if you were there, I'd appreciate any feedback).

Speaking of Matt, dude's getting all kinds of press these days. His book is now out and you need to read this. I know he's a friend, so I'm biased but I really think Matt is a great writer and you'll get a lot out of it. A website for the book should be up soon. His band, Hell Yeah, just got a review in City Beat. You can check out the piece here. This is a photo from the last show I played with him.

Another friend of ours is getting press too! Brooke and I were flipping through the magazine GOOD and saw this ad with our friend Sebastian, creator of Califas Journal and a great film maker in it. Pick up the issue, visit CalJo's site too... there's also a short piece on the creators of Wooster Collective-which is a fabulous website.

One last thing, if you're from the Anabaptist world, you might find this interesting. I'm speaking at the Mennonite Church USA biennial convention in San Jose this summer. I'll be speaking to the Urban Leaders Network (or something like that) meeting at a pre-convention event as well. I think the best place to find info is here. Let me know if you'll be there and maybe we can grab coffee. The added benefit for me is that the family is coming along and we'll be hanging out with the Sharps and Joel and Katie after the event... Can't wait. Alright, that'll have to be it for now.

My buddy Chris over at Doulos Christou Press just informed me that the conference, Inhabiting The Church: New Monasticism and God's Revolution is going to be held on June 1-2, 2007 in Indianapolis, IN. Right now, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove of Rutba House and author of To Baghdad and Beyond and Schools for Conversion will be speaking along with Tim Otto of Church of the Sojourners and co-author of the book Inhabiting The Church. Brooke and I may be there as well. We'll see. You can visit the website for more details.

"... while third spaces are incredibly important, safe spaces are as well."
- Jordon Cooper (speaking about this)