neo monasticism

So, I have been exploring the idea of some kind of neo monasticism. Some kind of intential, communal, kingdom living that reflects and refracts God’s action in the world through our lives. A deeper commitment by a group of Christians to be in the world. I don’t know what that means, but I feel it out there. I just don’t know what it is yet. I did run across New Monasticism, on the web and I am reading some of what they have to say.

For the last 8 months or so, I have been attempting to tie myself into a larger liturgical tradition through Celtic Daily Prayer out of the Northumbria Community, a geographically dispersed community, practicing being ‘alone, together.’ They point to Deitrich Bonhoeffer as an inspiration for their new and different monasticism:

The renewal of the Church will come from a new type of monasticism which only has in common with the old and uncompromising allegiance to the Sermon on the Mount. It is high time people banded together to do this.

I don’t know what this neo monasticism will look like, but as my wife says, I’m weird… so I guess that gives some indication. Northumbria Community also put flesh on the bones of my longings with these words from William Stringfellow:

Dynamic and erratic, spontaneous and radical, audacious and immature, committed if not altogether coherent. Ecumenically open and often experimental; visible here and there, now and then but unsettled institutionally. Almost monastic in nature, but most of all enacting a fearful hope for society.

So, it’s time to instigate the kingdom around here. I don’t know what that means. I don’t know who will be a part of this “thing” but I do know there is at least one other person within 5 miles of me who knows there is more to this life than going to work, going to church, and dying.