Remonking the Church

Circa 1988

Defining remonasticization
The remonasticization we would support would not be as tightly defined as traditional monasticism. It would not, for example, mean the stereotypical cluster of people retiring to desert solitude. Rather, it would look to the biblical antecedents for a select group of holy persons set apart to call all persons to holiness, such as the Old Testament Nazirites, Israel’s witness as a light to all nations, and Jesus’ calling of disciples to train and teach with the goal of drawing all Israel to the same discipleship. And, of course, there is the church itself which is supposed to be no more than it hopes the world will someday be. In this context, remonasticization might take several forms, all oriented toward service in and to the world.

Not Your Father’s Commune

by Tom Sine

A group of young Methodists are putting their faith in ‘co-housing’

From re:generation quarterly.

While some North American congregations spend vast sums on expanding physical plants, their next generation is asking, “Is this all there is?” These young people are unwilling to let modernity arrange most of the furniture of life, while faith is reduced to a trivial diversion on the edges. They don’t want to compartmentalize their faith–even if it’s a large, well-furnished compartment with an indoor swimming pool and a food court. They want a church that is actually connected to the rest of lives–or better yet, a church that actually shapes their lives.

Read more… 

A summary of racial related conversations in the last month:

1. “oh… you are Eliacin, I’ve been meaning to meet you. You are latino right? From Mexico!

- No, in spite of your idea of all latino’s on this side of the country being mexicans, I am Puerto Rican.

2. ” I don’t see your color. You are just a person to me. (Later in the same conversation) I love your bronze skin, your kids are so beautiful because they are mix-race.

3. (In reference to a brown skin, brown eyes, brown hair boy) Eliacin, your son is over protecting the dessert.

- Ladie, he is not my son. We might have brown skin, brown eyes and brown hair but we are not related.

Following on what Christine’s at Godspace said about Persepolis – here is a trailer of the upcoming animated film.

PERSEPOLIS

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUp9o_CNo04]

The Broken Heart Manifesto

Right now, look around.
Find someone’s face.
Meditate on their hopes and pain.
Take them on.
Make them your own.

Did you feel that?
Did you feel your heart break?

With whatever
you have been given,
bring healing to their pain
and give life to their hopes.