If I could still use toilet paper, and be able to catch the food network, maybe I'd consider it :)

I think it's an inspiring way to live. And makes us really come to terms w/ what material possessions we deem valuable.

@Ancient_Scribe@xanga - I am wondering the same thing.

@Ancient_Scribe@xanga - @MysteriumFidei@xanga @walkintotheseaaa@xanga - - I'm
not an authority in neo-monasticism by any means, but I am one of the "soon to be eight" mentioned in the post.  New monasticism developed largely out of evengelical and post-evangelical culture, a series of semi-independent, spontaneous movements that valued all the traditional aspects of monasticism, but had to modify the form for their own church polity.

The easiest example is that in all of the major monastic orders (Benedictine, Cistercian, etc.), the monk takes a vow of celibacy.  Neo-monastic communities expect celibacy from single members, but also permit and celebrate marriages and families.  The Agape Community House in Findlay has two married couple one of which has two children, and four single adults. 

As far as I know, nobody involved in any of the new monasticism projects believes there is anything wrong in classical monasticism.  Perhaps there are individuals here and there who think differently, but the idea of new monasticism isn't to update a faulty system, but to adapt monastic principles to an evangelical and/or anabaptist lifestyle (depending). 

@NightCometh@xanga - Despite its name, there's really nothing at all new about neo-monasticism.  

@sirnickdon - I lived in Lima (near Findlay) for 25 years, but I didn't know anything about this.  I think I told you about a commune on the outskirts of Lima which existed in the early 70's for a year or so.  The people there were Charismatic Catholics from the early period of that movement and believed that they were called to live as much like the New Testament church as possible.  I know this is not exactly what neo-monasticism is as you are describing it,  but it did require some of the same life-style and commitments.

I will be greatly interested to hear how all this works for you and your wife.  God's best to you!

This post is yet another example of a Christian in search of a label.

"Neo-Monasticism?"  Who cares?!

Lumen Gentium or Gaudium et Spes anyone?  These documents from the Second Vatican Council spell out in spades the beauty of authentic Christian life and identity.

@sirnickdon - As King Solomon said, there is nothing new under the sun.  However you choose to live, "neo" it's not.

@sirnickdon - The Catholics describe three basic subdivisions:  clergy, religious, and laity.

The clergy and religious actually take vows to poverty, chastity and obedience.  The laity, when they marry make the same vow only in marriage, the spouses are united as one flesh.

What you describe is a charism similar to the Focolare Movement in the Catholic Church.  Google Focolare and check it out.  This movement was born out of the ashes of World War II.  "Focolare" is Italian for "hearth."

So to answer your question, you folks need a wonderfully specific name for yourselves; a name for your movement or charism (gift).  Calling yourselves neo-whatever would not only be untrue (since it has been done before), but it would not do justice to the importance of what you are doing.

A name is different than a label.  Neo-whatever is a label soon forgotten.  A name can go down in history.

@sirnickdon - Hopefully, when you look up the Focolare Movement, you won't be put off by their deep reverence for Mary, Mother of God.  The Catholics have a thing for Mary that really rubs Protestants the wrong way.

Nevertheless, the lifestyle and values that you profess seem very similar to those of the Focolare Movement.

I took a class with Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove in 2007... he co-taught with a traditional-monastic Sister from Oregon.  And our classmates were from many different faith traditions: some Sisters from Minneapolis, an Episcopalian deacon, and Episcopalian minister, a couple Lutherans, a Covenant Evangelical pastor and his wife, and some seeking degrees in Catholic studies (or something similar...).  We developed lasting friendships and a deep respect for each other and the traditional- and neo-monastic movements.  I had the beautiful experience of sharing the Eucharist with the monks whose monestery and university hosted the course, all while immersing myself in traditions that I was not exposed to as small-town Lutheran.

What I encountered was some of most authentic community experience in my life.  Never have I been so spiritually stretched, lovingly recieved, and more called to a Way of life that serves my Jesus.

My husband and I feel called to live in community in this manner.  I was thrilled to see it featured on Revelife   Praise God!

@TheGreatBout@xanga - I'm pretty sure your god doesn't care if you burn his name spill coffee on it or throw it in the trash.  Words mean nothing, and your god does not need them to communicate therefore you should follow in its footsteps and use its name.

@walkintotheseaaa@xanga - Your god did not write the bible, though, crazy old men wrote the bible.  Besides, using YWEH (I think that's how it goes?) is just another name, which refers to the same idea and so it also could be demeaning.  And you said only not to use its name in vain, that doesn't mean not to use it at all.

Besides, if your god sends people to Hell for spilling coffee on its name...y'all have bigger problems than what to call it.

@ambreguesa@xanga - No. We are all new to this. We all have studied the NM but it's a new experience for all of us, which is exciting. We'd like to spend more time talking with other communities like Potter Street and Rutba house (who we've actually spoken to slightly).  You get started by looking deeper into what this sort of lifestyle consists of, and search for a community with opening (thesimpleway.org or theopendoorcommunity.org are good starts)