TallSkinnyKiwi

Monastery or Seminary?

"The rise of urban monasteries and abbeys will add a much-needed residential element to education. Ministerial training will be reconnected to gardening, hospitality, cooking and entrepreneurship. Associations of monasteries and seminaries will form "trails" open to student-pilgrims." Andrew Jones, Christian Century, 2006

An article I wrote for Christian Century in 2006 has surfaced online. Good! It was originally only available in paper form. The title is not good and not what I intended to say. I spoke about interactive video gaming which got edited down to "videos" and that had the opposite effect of what I wanted to say. But the rest of the article, which deals with how I see ministry training happening in 2050, is still worth reading. Especially the part about monasteries which I am seeing as one of the preferred training options for the emerging generation over a traditional seminary or Bible College.

I am writing from one of those "monasteries" right now. Mount of Oaks was started recently by 20-something Europeans to provide a place to discover God and his community, learn to live sustainably on His earth, and launch out into his mission. It is influenced by Protestant and Catholic streams, and currently has two guys who were part of a Christian Ashram in India named Delhi House[now named Sewa Ashram]. This gives it a different feel than more structured monasteries like those seen in the West. It is, however, quite rural, unlike most new postmodern monasteries in Europe that generally spring up in the urban centres.

Previously on Tallskinnykiwi: Monasticism in the 21st Century

Technorati Tags: monastery, new monasticism

Life is the slow lane in Portugal

The donkey's name is Nono. We are still at Mount of Oaks community in Póvoa de Atalaia, Portugal. Its actually quite nice to slow down a little. I am getting some reading and study done - even writing a paper on new media.

I must mention our arrival: We actually got our huge Overlander stuck in the small narrow streets of the town next to the land and had to reverse out, much to the amusement of the townsfolk who all came out to look. It just happened to be Easter Sunday morning after church so EVERYONE was there. Some followed us and one guy led us out of the town. It reminded us of that Portugal scene from Love Actually - "He's going to KILL Aurelia!" [See it here]

Eventually, and after some serious 4 wheel driving, we made it to the Mount of Oaks. The townsfolk will probably be talking about it for the next century.

The community here is less than 2 years old. Its exciting to be part of something so new and primal. Last week they hosted a course on Permaculture which was very successful. The television people interviewed here this month and noticed that, out of all the intentional communities like this in Portugal, Mount of Oaks excelled them all by maintaining a healthy relationship with the local town. Hope we didn't screw that up by our monster truck episode.

Anyway, Barbara is hoping and praying for 5 more full-timers who can come and live on the land and start building more structures. Sound like something for you?

Portugal - Mount of Oaks

We have arrived at a new monastic Christian Community in Portugal called Mount of Oaks. Its completely off-grid which is refreshing but I miss my running water and electricity. Its been a good few days hanging with people from Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Zimbabwe, England, NZ (yeah . . another Kiwi!) and of course Portugal. Ton from the Netherlands is an interesting fellow - he started the Sewa Christian ashram in Delhi, India a few years ago and is now here in Portugal, making us lunch. Barbara Leite is the hard working inspirational figure here. You may have read about her on her blog or on this one during my last visit to Portugal.

Heres a picture of the "internet cafe" that we are blogging from right now, on a neighboring farm not far away. Its not fancy but it does the job.

In Spain

After a week finding rest in parking lots across France, and going without electricity for a whole week, the Jones clan hit the beaches of Spain for a day. We were here in Barcelona 5 years ago when our group came together to walk the Camino de Santiago.

Off again this afternoon, traveling south. Do you know of any ministries in Valencia area where young people are reaching out to the next generation? If so, please tell me.

It's Friday, but Sunday's a-Comin'!

It might be one of the most famous Easter sermons of our generation. I first heard it in the mid-80's on a mission ship called the MV Logos. This spitting preacher named Tony Campolo was working himself into a frenzy in imitating a black Pentecostal preacher. We took it all onboard [literally] and we were quoting lines from his sermon for months. It went something like this:

"It’s Friday, but Sunday’s a comin’. It was Friday, and my Jesus is dead on a tree. But that’s Friday, and Sunday’s a comin’. Friday, Mary’s crying her eyes out, the disciples are running in every direction like sheep without a shepherd. But that’s Friday, and Sunday’s a comin’. Friday, some are looking at the world and saying, “As things have been, so they shall be. You can’t change nothing in this world! You can’t change nothing in this world!” But they didn’t know that it was only Friday, and Sunday’s a comin’. Friday, them forces that oppress the poor and keep people down, them forces that destroy people, the forces in control now, them forces that are gonna rule, they don’t know it’s only Friday, but Sunday’s a comin’. Friday, people are saying, “Darkness is gonna rule the world, sadness is gonna be everywhere,” but they don’t know it’s only Friday, but Sunday’s a comin’. Even though this world is rotten, as it is right now, we know it’s only Friday. But Sunday’s a comin’. "
[I stole this text from my friend Bob Beltz who has published an article this week called "Whats So Good About Good Friday?"]

Does anyone have the original video? Why not publish some highlights on youtube and let us know. In the meantime, Tony's sermon goes on today. Some people have turned the theme into a video. Its not Tony, and its polished to a shine that not everyone will appreciate, but here it is . .

Christianity's Dangerous Idea, by Alister McGrath

I am mostly finished with Christianity's Dangerous Idea by Alister McGrath, but not done yet. Its an enjoyable read about Protestantism - its origins and distinctives, in particular the dangerous idea that anyone can read and understand the Bible for themselves. Yesterday I was reading it in a park in France when some guys invited me for a beer and the next thing I knew I was explaining my book to French Catholics. It made me feel very PROTESTANT.

Its a good book and suitable for students. Alister covers the usual suspects and touches on worthy missions background to Protestantism's expansion but he also offers some unique insights - like the rise of the Bible belt in USA and how Anglicanism ended up north rather than down south. Interesting.

Technorati Tags: book, books

In Chateauroux, France

Sorry for blipping off the screen. We had some engine problems (nothing serious) and have been in a town called Chateauroux for 3 days. Still waiting on parts for the truck. We are staying in a park next to a public pool and slides so the kids are happy. Its been a good time. France is wonderful! The people are friendly and the food is fantastic. Nice to be here.

Off to France

Its been a whirlwind week. Cooking for 20 a few days ago at our campsite and 17 the day before. I met with dozens of people during the week all doing fantastic things having to do with drug rehab and street ministry and fair trade (hi Greg) and yesterday in Bristol we had dinner with the Love Bristol crowd and talked about Glastonbury and more.

But now its off to France on a 1.00am ferry from Dover to Calais. Appreciate thoughts and prayers for us on our journey and for the next few days as we regroup and get our groove back. Yes, we have felt a little out-of-groove the last few days and need to splice our family back into the rhythm of God's Spirit and under the safety of his favor. Ever been there??? Thanks.