Finally...Fellowship

Yesterday, we enjoyed a marvelous day highlighted by an assembly of worship with the church in Kenmare. They were gracious enough to ask me to speak about Englewood. Although they kept thanking me for the words of encouragement to them, we were the ones most encouraged. We take for granted the opportunity for real conversation; we operate on the edge of fear something will be said which is controversial, or someone will get angry, but some of these folks would give anything to be in such a "risky" position. They are only now approaching the wall which separates polite and comfortable worship with a tepid commitment to mission from the radical white-hot faith which calls for unswerving trust in God through a willingness to be bound to one another. I think of the times at Englewood when we have made exploratory excursions into the land of the latter only to retreat back into the security of the former. I have had three weeks now to think about, read about and pray about the reasons why a land filled with monastic communities once upon a time, now suffers through a culture seemingly void of life in the Spirit. All that remains are the literal ruins of these communities and a nostalgic remembrance of nominal faith. I have not figured out all that went wrong, but I have list started. I am convinced that the real issue is how a community sees itself and how folks will be bound together by God's Spirit as each member lives out love for the other and keeps faith with this identity. Rules and the exercise of authority while appearing neccesary must always be seen as a poor substitute for love and mutual submission. Also, it seems a community either gets off the track or bogs down when it begins to bear the burden of those who want only the benefits of community without the responsibility of sacrificial love. Ancient monastic communities suffered the weight of those who had romanticised dreams of a "special vocation". I think it is time we make clear that intentional and integrated expressions of community is what God desires for all peoples not just for a band of religious heroes. The trick seems to be how we establish neccesary temporary borders (be a holy people) that are permeable (invites others in). Although I am grateful for and have tremendous respect for our many friends in intentional Christian communities, it is important we take seriously their sincere words of humility concerning their pursuit of God's kingdom in Christ. When they say they haven't "arrived", we ought to believe them, even if they are far ahead of us (or at least in a differant place than us).