I took this list below from Shane Claiborne’s book, The Irresistible Revolution.  It is something I have been contemplating lately.  It describes a "movement of radical rebirth grounded in God’s love and drawing on the rich tradition of Christian practices that have long formed disciples in the simple way of Christ."  They are calling it the "new monasticism" and here are its distinctives:

1. Relocation to the abandoned places of the empire.
2. Sharing economic resources with fellow community members and the needy among us.
3. Hospitality to the stranger.
4. Lament for racial divisions within the church and our communities, combined with the active pursuit of a just reconciliation.
5. Humble submission to Christ’s body, the church.
6. Intentional formation in the way of Christ and the rule of the community, along the lines of the old novitiate.
7. Nurturing common life among members of an intentional community.
8. Support for celibate singles alongside monogamous married couples and their children.
9. Geographical proximity to community members who share a common rule of life.
10. Care for the plot of God’s earth given to us, along with support for our local economies.
11. Peacemaking in the midst of violence, and conflict resolution within communities along the lines of Matthew 18:15-20.
12. Commitment to a disciplined contemplative life.

So let’s think about this list a little bit…

I suspect, first off, that many evangelicals would point out one glaring omission on this list–i.e. the great commission and/or the spread of the gospel message.  But I was thinking about that some.  If the body of Christ committed itself to these 12 things wouldn’t the gospel message become a visible entity for the surrounding world to see and experience.  I’m not saying that the message wouldn’t be articulated in words, obviously it has to be, but I think the gospel is much more holistic than the truth that comes out of our mouths.  It should be an outpouring explanation to all of why were are living in this manner.  I think the gospel could be more fully realized if these principles took on an active form and shape in the deeds we live by.  The gospel would be seen with all its intended power because it would be communicated in the love that only Christ can give to the world–through the lives of His body.

Second, I like this list because it mentions the word "intentional" twice.  That’s been a buzzword for me for the past three or four years and I think it is crucial for Christians to think and act intentionally in the world.  Otherwise, we’re just talking to ourselves…which some might find quite…crazy?

Third, obviously "relocation to the abandoned places of the empire" is a principle I resonate with.  Are we willing to move out (like Abraham and so many other people of faith) to the place God wants us to reside in?  What if it’s to the slums?  What if it’s to the (God forbid) suburbs?  What if it’s to the high plateau areas or the low valleys?  What if it’s to the "abandon places" in the empire without running water or proper medical care?  Do we even take these things into consideration when we start house-hunting?  If not, why not?  (These are hard questions.  I am asking them of myself so don’t think I’m pointing any fingers!?!  I’ve got enough to worry about in my own life in this regard…)

Fourth, number 2 talks about sharing with the "needy" among us.  Who are the needy among us? Are there needy people among us?  Is tithing to ensure our church is functional each week the same thing as sharing economic resources with the community members and needy among us?  When I try to answer this question I am literally ashamed at my attempts to respond.  (Note: I’m obviously not saying tithing isn’t productive; it achieves kingdom purposes.  I, of all people, would not be so hypocritical to suggest otherwise.  I also am doing what I am called to because other people are giving sacrificially to my family and my dream.  I’m only attempting to show that I think there is value in considering what a difference can be made in real (flesh and blood) people’s existence if we think beyond our own refrigerators and TV screens.

Number 4 hit a nerve with me as well.  What if the Church started thinking of creative ways to make this a reality instead of paying lip-service to the idea?  A lot of the churches I’ve been involved in would say they welcome diversity, but what about being active in living out racial reconciliation and promoting a more diverse (yet unified) congregation of believers?  In reality, a fairly homogeneous orthopraxy (i.e. lived out theology) is cleaner and easier to practice so we end up at churches with people who are basically just exactly like us in thinking and appearance.  There’s nothing wrong with being "us" but if the body of Christ does not consist of only elbows, why do we we persist in being surrounded by such a cloud of elbows?

I love number 7.  I have seen firsthand how sharing "common life" with the body in a really intentional way can breathe new life into…life?  It’s like the salt-less salt analogy that Jesus uses.  When our life has lost its life how can it be alive.  I think this is the way that community works, too.  If we are sharing community within the body of Christ, real life is enlivened and the false life we are accustomed to starts to fade away.  (I also think that this is only feasible in light of number 9.  If you don’t live in proximity to your community it becomes increasingly difficult to share "common life" together.  Everything is planned, agenda-ized, and relegated to the leftovers of weekend and holidays.  That’s quasi-life, not common life.)

Number 11 is another new (old) idea, eh?  It sounds innovative, but it’s just what the "kingdom of heaven" prescribes.  Peacemaking and being tools for conflict resolution within communities.  Wow?!?  We can really do this sort of thing?  It seems so far removed from what we are (or I should say what I am) doing right now.  But isn’t it an exciting concept?  What if communities began to look to those in the Church to help with their seemingly "irreconcilable differences" and problems?  What if Christians left peace in their wake instead of judgment and condemnation?  That’s beginning to sound like a kingdom that a loving God might have created, huh?

Well, I could go on, but I’d hate to be branded a starry-eyed idealist.  I know these things are tough to accomplish (in our own abilities: impossible to accomplish!) but I like to take a look at these things from a new angle and remember that Jesus has called us into a new world–not one that is already established, but one that we are tasked to bring into being–in our own small, mustard seed kind of ways.  He created this kingdom and made it possible; he maintains it and brings it to fruition.  We are asked to visualize and embody it and to help others open their eyes to its reality.

It’s just the new (old) school all over again.  And the gates of hell will not stand against it…