NEW NEW MONASTICISM

The differing forms of New New Vocation Monk-Friar Monasticism • Communities in abandoned places – mission in estates e.g. All Hallows - Localised or • Communities in places of high materialism and spiritual impoverishment – mission as Christian particular small community spirituality e.g. Moot

• Communities in places of pilgrimage (neo- - Network New Monastic Communities ) e.g. Northumbria Community • Communities in places of conflict - Mission Order Communities • Communities of Youth – e.g. 24/7

Models of Church & Contextual Key focus for Monastics Formation is multi-dimensional Theology • S B Bevans Models of Contextual The Great Commandment • Orthopathy – Right feeling & being Theology: Transcendent Model – Wellbeing, integrated mind, body & spirit – Strong on spirituality & humanity Summary of calling to: – Love self to be able to love others – Experience leading to understanding Love God • Orthopraxis – Right living & action • Avery Dulles Models of Church Love Yourself – Involved in mission from start to others Mystical Communion Model – Never arrive in discipleship Love Others – Fraternity on a journey • Orthodoxy – Right thinking & knowing – High on Community – Knowing the story of salvation history – Strong Pneumatology – Deeply relational

1 Two Streams to Christian Prayer and Spirituality SPIRITUALITY are vital to sustaining a Bishops, Abbots, Friars spiritual life for Diocese, Monastics, NEW MONASTICS Parish Nuns, Priests & local intentional Community Communities Contemplative - Action

Two Streams to Christian Marks of Christian Spirituality Marks of Christian Spirituality SPIRITUALITY experience leading to understanding experience leading to understanding Prayer 1. Contemplative & Mystical expressions of MODAL SODAL prayer & meditation Apophatic Cataphatic CHURCH CHURCH 2. Liturgy and ritual (multi-sensory & time Surrender methods Attentional/ Awareness Confession Liturgical marking) Of meditation Concentrative Meditation 3. Sacramental presence of God methods methods of methods of daily office 4. Holistic formation - orthopathy, orthopraxis, meditation meditation intercession orthodoxy Centring Prayer Welcoming Prayer John Main Examen 5. Rhythms of Life, spiritual practices Ignatian 6. Ancient:future approaches to mission Lectio Divina 7. Trinitarian & Theosis Creative Prayer

Marks of Christian Spirituality formation Christian Formation

Christian Becoming Catechumenate Conversion (orthopathy, orthopraxis, orthodoxy) knowing God and growing into Ongoing conversion a Trinitarian relational We have over relied on approach to rational and Deepening surrender formation as knowing facts Cataphatic of the will transrational spiritual knowing about God rather than knowing God through experience AND Apophatic I-Thou Relationship facts early discipleship mature discipleship theosis

2 Features of New Monastics • Seasonal Aspirations, Spiritual Practices & Postures • Commitment to being Missional and Contextual • Dispersed Network and distributed household “The renewal of the Church will come networks What is New Monasticism? from a new type of monasticism • Participative Governance which has only in common with the • Contemplative and Sacramental old an uncompromising allegience to • Commitment to non-dualism and non-tribalism the sermon on the mount. It’s high • Commitment to Post-Christendom and Servant time women and men banded Discipleship together to do this.” • Deeply Trinitarian in belief and practice , in a letter to his brother • Experimental and Creative in spirit and practice

Fluid-edged, centrifugally centred New Sequence

Belong – Experience - Believe Re-Monking? NOT Or Believe – Belong Re-Friaring

Focus: Experience leading to in a New Spiritual Age understanding

How do you know you have a need for God if you don’t know who you are?

Seasonal Aspirations, Spiritual Practices & Postures Seasonal Aspirations, Spiritual Practices & Postures ASPIRATIONS Rhythm or Rule of Life having three Example: Church of the Apostles, Seattle covenantal levels SPIRITUAL PRACTICES

• Aspirations as entry level – belonging before believing POSTURES

• Spiritual Practices – definitively Christian – becoming Christian to be able to commit to this.

• Spiritual Postures – an attitude of worship as life style to sustain a life-long-approach to discipleship where you never arrive !

3 Seasonal Aspirations Seasonal Aspirations Seasonal Aspirations

Example: Church of the Apostles, Seattle Example: May Be Community, Oxford Example: May Be Community, Oxford

- Love God and love neighbors - Grace grit - Give invitations and provide welcome - Space We are cultivating stick-ability. We know that to - Engage community and practice faith - Wonder deepen in prayerfulness and wisdom is likely to be a - Share stories and throw parties - Grit demanding thing. We recognise that the route to - Create art and exchange gifts healing and wholeness will require changes in us. We - Resistance - Renew culture and steward creation sense that holiness (truly human-living) is not a - Laughter cheap acquisition but can be only the result of a - Presence lifetime’s commitment. We will commit ourselves to

Jesus Christ and his way. We will encourage each other. We will dig deep.

Spiritual Practices Spiritual Practices Spiritual Postures Example: Church of the Apostles, Seattle Example: 24-7 Prayer Community

• weekly eucharist 1. The practice of Prayer While virtues are an expression of attitude • daily office, (daily, rhythmic, individual and in community). which are expressed interpersonally with • scripture reflection, 2. The practice of Mission other people, postures are an expression (both outreach and inreach). • hospitality, of attitude focused on our transcendent • discernment, 3. The practice of Mercy and Justice (personally, locally & globally). relationship to and with God, • tithing, 4. The practice of Hospitality and Pilgrimage. (sometimes called the ‘I-Thou’ • confession, 5. The practice of Creativity. relationship). • forgiveness, 6. The practice of Learning and • , feasting, Discipleship. • retreat, pilgrimage.

Spiritual Postures Commitment to being Missional and Contextual Dispersed Network and distributed household networks

• Building ecclesial communities out of - Presence • Dispersed networks of lay people committed contextual mission to a ROL - Openness • 5 Marks of Mission (Anglican Communion) • Network of intentional Households e.g. - Mindfulness – To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom, Earlsfield Friary – To teach, baptise and nurture new believers, - Expectancy – To respond to human need by loving service, • Intentional Community – taking over clergy - Wonder – To seek to transform unjust structures of society, house e.g. All Hallows Community, East – To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain London and renew the life of the earth. • Pattern of daily prayer, worship and action

NOTE: THIS IS NOT THE SAME AS COMMUNITY ACTION • Depth of community is vital to sustain the mission.

4 Participative Governance Prayerful and Sacramental Commitment to non-dualism and non-tribalism

Many New Monastic Communities have a The Church has struggled throughout its history with shared Governance System inspired by the the damaging effects of power, schism and dualism in Communities are liturgical, and are extremely politics and belief. It can be argued that Monasticism Benedictine and Franciscan traditions. Here creative in writing original and experimental began as a reaction to this at the time of the Desert there is a commitment to listening and liturgies. They draw heavily on ancient Mothers and Fathers. In continuity with this tradition, contributing to decision-making. People do spiritual practices such as Lectio Divina, the New Monastics seek to be humble, non-dualistic and have differing vocations, but these are ones Examen, Ignatian meditation, Centering Prayer post-tribal. As with many participants of the religious of function not of privilege. New Monastics and many other disciplines that require you to life, New Monastics have a high view of Christ’s New have differing vocations, where people are reach beyond the egoic self. Most practise Commandment for unity (in diversity and not conformity) in the Church. New Monastics seek to find given room to exercise these ministries in table fellowship, and have a high view of the peace and wellbeing in the context of a complex and the context of being one community. Eucharist or Holy Communion. uncertain world.

Commitment to Post-Christendom and Deeply Trinitarian in belief and Experimental and Creative in spirit and Servant Discipleship practice practice

have been birthed from a spirit of creativity, a need to find a way of community, living and Who are the new monastics? Influential radical religious worship which is flexible and contextual and a • Dominic & Benedict - radical communities, desire to exercise creative and artistic gifts. counter-cultural values & justice These communities have become crucibles for new liturgical forms and patterns as well as • Francis & Clare - radical communities and revisiting those from current and ancient ecological justice traditions. Liturgy and rhythm have grown • Teresa - radical spirituality & action from the real and raw experience of community • Luther - reformation lay communities members and the culture in which they dwell. • Brother Roger - Taize As such they have a real grounding in the now, • Dietrich Bonhoeffer - new monastics a healthy provisionality and yet maintain a sense of the continuum of Christian heritage • Merton - radical spirituality • Mother Teresa - radical action

5 Church of England and New Monasticism The Church of England in the summer recognised New Monastic Communities as a sub-grouping of ‘Acknowledged Religious MOOTS STORY Communities’.

This is the first step to a new mixed economy of the religious life – of the traditional and experimental

Mission as Place and Network Mission as Place and Network

• Mission to spiritual searchers interested in • Wellbeing – orthopathy spirituality and not religion addiction, stress, mental illness, • Mission as Place and Network depression, spiritual centredness, • Mission as participative community relationships • Contemplative - Action • Living – orthopraxis faith expressed in life as contemplative- action led by God • Belief - orthodoxy knowing God’s story and missio dei

Deep Trinitarian Christian Spirituality

6 A community that began by - Trinitarian basis focusing on the missional - New Monastic Community

Free standing wall for art, to contain cafe space and control noise. - Worship: Experimental & [Softwood framing with MDF sheathing painted needs of the dechurched white. Wiring for lighting to artworks to be Contemplative included.] that is now seeking to reach - Mission: Relational & Event the unchurched through driven - Lounge Project experimental mission and - Community: Network plus community based in intentional community resourcing worship

Sofa's, chairs, coffee Cafe counter. Location Free standing wall for art, to contain tables, rugs and free makes use of existing cafe space and provide storage. standing lamps. Seats kitchenette services and [Softwood framing with MDF sheathing moot approx 45-50 people. projects gently into the painted white. Wiring for lighting to St Mary Aldermary arts cafe cafe space allowing artworks to be included.] DRAFT visual supervision and 30 October 2009 presence.

worship Maintaining a balanced Church Church = worship + mission + community

Healthy Worship Christian church Spirituality

Mission Arts enterprise cafe

Community mission community

7 Considerations - starting up a café Mon-Fri - Economic viability of café Considerations 7hrs a day centre - 4 people giving 1.5 days to café 0.5 on relational - starting up arts events projects - no rent - meditation groups - Home for Ian - bookshop start up & mootique - leaves two rooms for place for people to stay in the - development of Quest ST MARY Shared House ST MARY community house & student Shared House placements (both requiring ALDERMARY 7 bedded ALDERMARY - Weds night activities 7 bedded income contribution) ARTS CAFÉ CHURCH East London ARTS CAFÉ CHURCH - 2xArtists in residence East London (Mansion House) (Mansion House) - East London - possibility of - Shared Office being close to Mooters who Place & Network Place & Network - Wellness Centre want to move close Hub Hub - daily experimental prayer - development of spiritual rhythm & meals - development of worship

Moot’s Rhythm of life Moot’s Rhythm of life Moot’s Rhythm of life (intentionality) (intentionality) (intentionality) Sections: Sections: Elements: 1. Presence 2. Acceptance 1. Presence We commit to journeying together with We desire to accept both ourselves and 2. Acceptance God and each other, by meeting together other people as they are, and to allow 3. Creativity ass a community, in prayer,in worship, people to say what they believe without friendship, grief, and happiness. Being a fear of judgment. We want to create a 4. Balance hopeful sign of an open community in the safe space where people feel at home and 5. Accountability city rather than just a group of individuals welcomes. We hope to learn from all those 6. Hospitality or anonymous people in and outside the community.

Moot’s Rhythm of life Moot’s Rhythm of life Moot’s Rhythm of life (intentionality) Sections: (intentionality) Sections: (intentionality) Sections: 4. Balance 5. Accountability: 3. Creativity We aspire to live with integrity in the city, striving Within the rhythm of life we desire to be We want to have an open approach to how as a community for balance between work, accountable to one another, to grow and we learn, live and encounter God in the rest and play. We wish to develop healthy journey together, listening to each other and plurality of our city and the world. We spiritual disciplines such as daily prayer, the wider Christian community for wisdom wish to be creative in our worship, in meditation and contemplation, drawing on the rather than trusting only ourselves. We want prayer, in our lives, in learning, and with ancient Christian paths. We want to live to have a willingness to share life, rather than the Christian tradition, in our theology and within our means, living sustainable lives. We to privatise it and we seek to walk together in with the arts. desire to not be simply consumers, but people a deeper way rather than as strangers who committed to giving and receiving in all of life. only know the surface of each other.

8 Moot’s Rhythm of life Sections: (intentionality) 6. Hospitality: We wish to welcome all whom we encounter, when we are gathered and when we are dispersed, extending Christ’s gracious invitations to relationship, meaning and life in all its fullness.

MOOT’S SPIRITUAL POSTURES

9 Strengths of New Monasticism Weaknesses of New Monasticism

• Strongly relational so able to adapt quickly • Leadership is really difficult to social change • Theology is very mystical and centred on www.moot.uk.net • Very participative so very attractive to the Holy Spirit – can believe that spiritual seekers and unchurched people everything you do is of the will of God seeking experience • Very communitarian can make governance • Very organic difficult • Strongly incarnational & redemptive in • Organic nature can make theology & relates to the breadth of challenging church traditions

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