NeoMonk.com

...the restoration of the church will surely come only from a new type of monasticism which has nothing in common with the old, but a complete lack of compromise in a life lived in accordance with the Sermon on the Mount in the discipleship of Christ. I think it is time to gather people together to do this...

Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Extract from a letter to his brother Karl-Friedrick
January 14, 1935
Source: John Skinner, Northumbria Community

I read this quote from Bonhoeffer some time ago, and I must confess that I wasn't sure what he was talking about. "A New Monasticism" sounds like so many robed friars desperately attempting to remain relevant with "contemporary chants" and a website with cheesy graphics called "neomonk.com". However, recent reading has definitely brought me to some different conclusions. In fact, my initial thoughts revealed my simplistic and superficial view of monasticism. Bonhoeffer had a vision that was both historic and ahead of his time, and a vision that I am more convinced than ever that we need to understand and embrace.

The majority of our monastic imagery comes from an historical and stereotypical view of Roman monasticism: men and women cloister themselves completely apart from the world with the intent of ridding themselves of the world and walking in greater holiness and purity toward God. This will include a rule by which they will live, typically very detailed and rigorous and vows to keep the rule and the lifestyle. These groups are characterized by things like celibacy and poverty, as well as a strict asceticism. This is not the sort of thing that Bonhoeffer was talking about. His 'New Monasticism' really has resemblance to a monastic way of life more ancient than that of Rome. Celtic Monastic Communities were established in 5th century and were used of God to take the Gospel to yet unreached parts of Great Britain and the European mainland. The rugged spirituality of the Celtic Communities looked far different than their Roman counterparts. Their intent was not to pull away from society, but indeed to influence society with the Gospel. This 'Sermon on the Mount' living means coming together, for the purpose of going out and being the 'salt of the earth' and 'the light of the world'. The 'rule' tended to be simple. Entire families would join these communities which were strategically placed near busy ports and townships. Tradesmen and artisans, craftsmen and business owners would work and live out their faith in the presence and in the midst of Christless communities - thus bringing light to darkness. Inevitably people would hear truth after they'd seen truth lived out before them. Entire communities would eventually turn from idolatry and paganism to Christ. (You can read more about this in several different sources. See George Hunter's 'The Celtic Way of Evangelism' and Thomas Cahill's How the Irish Saved Civilization for starters)

There are actually several Celtic Monastic Communities that are in existence today. While these communities probably bear only a small resemblance of their ancient predecessors, many seem to have some similar values. The Northumbria Community in Northern England is one in particular that I have found true to Scripture and to history and to my heart. I mention them here, because I simply want to mention their 'rule', which is availability and vulnerability. This is how they expect their members to live. I have pondered this a lot recently and I wonder if this sort of thing is how a church ought to live - by a rule. Not a complicated elongated legalistic rule, but a simple, New Testament, 'Sermon on the Mount' Rule.

Here's an example:

Two Sunday's ago Jon (Worship Leader in place of Brian for a day), stood before the congregation before the first note was even sung and began sharing his weaknesses (In keeping with 2 Corinthians 11:29ff). After this, he gave instruction for several minutes of silence and reflection on individual personal weakness; asking God to reveal and to make us aware of personal weakness. All of this was fine until the Jon gave the final instruction: after silence and reflection, share two of those weaknesses with the person sitting next to you. Ouch. The option to not participate was there. However, most did participate and it was a beautiful precursor to taking Communion together. While reflecting on that moment in a service - the rule of vulnerability is what flashed into my mind.

The reality is that we need something more than 'a moment'. We need something more lasting and rugged and authentic. If we are to travel in this strange and alien land together we need one another and we need Christ. Since that Sunday, there have been many times when I have noticed 'vulnerability'. I had my vulnerable moment last week. What if we were - as a church - more than a 'church'? What if we were a Community that committed to one another these things: We will be available to one another and to God. We will be vulnerable to one another and to God. Thus we will walk in Community and lift our hearts in worship.

This is the kind of neo-monasticism of Bonhoeffer's dreams. I will join him in that dream, as well.