Communities of reconcilliation

An interesting article on new-monasticism and reconcilliation from Jason and Vonetta Storbakken members of Radical Living (God's Politics)

Some of our neighbors, many of whom I have known since I was young, have been afflicted by drug addiction and poverty. They are not merely the nameless, faceless people you might read about or pass on the street. They are living souls made in the image of God. When a person applies for membership at Radical Living we explain that we want to live in community with people who desire to invest in the lives of their neighbors, regardless of their position in society. We are not interested in living with "tourists" who want to "experience the ghetto."

The idea of "us and them" is perpetuated when an intentional community does not actively seek to diversify its membership.  New Monastic communities need to be redemptive communities where all, regardless of ethnicity, national identity, or economic status, are invited to participate in the communal rhythm of Christian living.

Technorati Tags: Emerging Church: Missional: new-monasticism