new monasticism

As the conversation continues regarding the future of church facilities, the New Monastic movement is beginning to break substantial ground in the U.S. I can't help but wonder how this trend may influence the function of local church buildings in the years to come.

New Monasticism has been around for decades, but was officially birthed in the summer of 2004. New Monastics live in community with one another, sometimes in one building and other times in close proximity to one another. Singles, couples and families are all included in a communal way of life that seeks to return to the first century Church's way of doing things.

There are 12 "marks" that New Monastic communities live by , but general values can be outlined more simply:

1. Thoughtful, prayerful, and/or contemplative lives
2. Communal life
3. Focus on hospitality
4. Practical engagement with the poor

What that ends up looking like is several homes in close proximity that give shelter to even more families. They usually eat together on a regular basis, and host meals that are open to anyone in the community. They often shelter the homeless, or individuals recently released from jail/prison. They develop devotionals that the whole community participates in during their individual prayer times and corporately. Some attend a local church for weekend worship services; others do not.

So what does this mean for a local church? I think it simply means there may be church plants in your community that could use your support. They're not church plants in the traditional sense that they're trying to establish a house of worship like yours, but they are a member of the body of Christ doing the work of the gospel. They could probably use some extra food, or help with home repairs, or extra Bibles, or training/info on helping someone overcome a drug addiction.

It seems to be one more trend that would shrink a local church body, but have more use for a flexible church building. A quiet chapel or prayer room might be appreciated by New Monastics in your community whose homes are generally full of people. A library/bookstore with a few computers might be helpful for those trying to ease ex-cons back into society. A gym, rec room, or garden would be an asset for them as well.

The local church body in the digital era may need to become less about being the Church and more about supporting the church - whether or not they're "members."