Off the Moutain…(in search of a new monasticism)

…it seems to me that God is always moving and always moving on…keeping step with Spirit is so terribly important…I think of Peter wanting to build condo’s on the mount of transfiguration–we like camping out–but Jesus was moving on. That passage is always interesting because it pegs the human tendency to want a worshipful experience; to prefer the glorious and the glittering experiencing of having “truly met the Lord as He is”…that’s the experience most of us are after. And the best part is–He gives it to us. Well, at least he gave it to them (Peter, James, and John). But quickly, ever so quickly, he moves off the mountain and descends into the needs of humanity. For Jesus the mountain wasn’t the point–the multitudes were. His mission (and I would argue, our mission also) is to seek and save the lost and the looking–to meet their needs–to heal their wounds–to touch them in their situations and untouchability…love…and particularly; love in the ghetto of humanity (remember Jesus’ statement to the Pharisee’s: “A physician is not for the healthy”–but it is a whole lot easier to want to become the community nurse for a country club than to be the pro bono medic in the war zone of Compton isn’t it).

Anyhow…Jesus descends into the mess of humanity, while we long to hang out on peaks of highest praise. That is one of the realities of the “mount of transfiguration” narrative. God moves on towards His Mission–and we want to stay put. And so this is where keeping step with Spirit comes in…as disciples we must follow the Master into the margins where He is always going.

Having said all this, one of the most exciting motions of God today is found in the growing counter culture called “New Monasticism“. I was first exposed to the words “new monasticism” years ago in the writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer when he called for Christians to move towards this type of life–save not in the cloister, but out of the world and into the foundation of a new society that looks radically different than the world system. I remember being grabbed by the brutal honesty of Bonhoeffer’s wrestling with the notion that Christians are called to be relevant to their culture but also peculiar from it as well. What might that look like?

A new generation of Christians–dissatisfied with the dominant cultural regime; considering themselves expats of the empire of capitolism and greed; having come down off the mountain and into the masses of hurting; are forging ahead into a “new monasticism”. History will tell where this return to Christian community and the burden of tending to the lost and the looking, will end…but for the time being, it is tremendously exciting.

April 08 a new book comes out by one of the pioneers in this frontier expansion…Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove. It is called appropriatly: “New Monasticism: What it has to say to today’s church”. Here’s what Brazo’s Press, the publisher says about this book:

“It’s hard to be a Christian in America,” writes Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, a leader in the new monasticism movement in America, a growing group of committed Christians who are living lives of radical discipleship. However, the movement doesn’t mirror traditional monasteries–many members are married with children and have careers, yet they live differently, often in community in once-abandoned sections of society. Wilson-Hartgrove founded a new monastic community and works with an alternative theological collaborative. In this book, he takes readers inside new monasticism, tracing its roots through scripture and history and illuminating its impact on the contemporary church. He identifies the key tenets of new monasticism, including:

• How monasticism is the oldest form of counter-culture in the West
• God’s alternative economy and financial practices for church
• Hospitality and active peacemaking
• A model for grassroots ecumenism
• What the church offers new monasticism: stability, diversity, and structure

“Monasticism isn’t about achieving some sort of individual or communal piety. It’s about helping the church be the church,” Wilson-Hartgrove writes. A must-read for new monastics or those considering joining the movement, this book will also appeal to 20- and 30-somethings, pastors, leaders, and those interested in the emerging church.

Endorsements

“It is my sincere hope that new monasticism will grow so strong and healthy and widespread that every follower of Jesus in every church has the opportunity, if not to actually live in a new monastic community, to at least have enough proximity and relationship to be influenced by it. This book can help that dream and prayer come true.”–Brian McLaren, author of Everything Must Change“This is the most informative work to date on its subject. Written in fluid, accessible prose and without pretense, it is also rich in personal and historical insights. The result is a book that is both beguiling and highly credible.”–Phyllis Tickle, author of The Divine Hours“This book demonstrates how embracing the lifestyle prescribed by Jesus is a realistic possibility in our present age. It also shows how countercultural Christianity can provide a needed critique of our self-centered, consumerist society.”–Tony Campolo, Eastern University

“This book is a scavenger hunt into Christian history and the abandoned places of Empire where the Spirit is stirring today. It’s like digging around in the dirt trying to find the pearl we buried, the pearl that is so beautiful it’s worth giving up everything else in the world for.”–Shane Claiborne, author of The Irresistible Revolution

“Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove is bringing things both old and new out of the great Christian storehouse! New monasticism is discovering what is always rediscovered–and always bears great life for the gospel.”–Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, Center for Action and Contemplation

So…I can’t wait till April 08. I will be cracking open the book and may it crack open my heart. I hope you read it too.