I-YOUniverse

This is in response to commendation of the book The New Monasticism in Jesus Creed, June 6, 2008. It’s interesting to me that Gandhi lived in an ashram; we see the power of the group in such movements as Alcoholics Anonymous.  Common life is the only way we can address some of the huge problems of our time, like consumersm (devouring the planet) and inner city decay. If you know of contemporary rules, I’d appreciate your letting me know about them.

I tried my hand at a contemporary rule of common life. Here goes:

A RULE OF COMMON LIFE

I. Name. We will be called “Jesus’ family,” or “sisters and brothers of Jesus” because he said, “Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3:35 (NRSV)

II. Jesus is our only Lord. The Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7, is our only charter; the Bible, interpreted in the Spirit of Christ, our only creed. The following is our rule of common life. Persons over 21 who do not accept Jesus as Savior and Lord will not live among us.

III. Purpose.

a. Above all else, even survival as individuals or community, we seek to glorify God.

b. We seek to fulfill the great commandments: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matt 22:37-39 (NRSV)

IV. Vows. Keeping in mind the traditional vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, we will take these vows upon entering the community. After a trial year, we will take them for life.

a. Simplicity. We will seek to live with few possessions. Our clothing will be that of the poor; our “Sunday best” will be clean, everyday wear. One or two changes will suffice. All of us will dress in similar fashion, there being no difference among us. Our community will decide what other individual possessions there will be, but let the Rule of Benedict guide us.

b. Purity. Those who are single will be celibate. Couples will be monogamous and true to each other for life. We will use such codes of conduct necessary to protect one another, and children in our care, from abuse. We will guard heart and mind, where purity begins, by establishing community standards for use of media.

c. Solidarity.  We will strive to discern the will of God through consensus. We will honor liberty of conscience. We will hold all property in common.

V. Worship

a. The family’s calling is prayer.

b. All who can will gather for family prayers at evening, morning and noon, using as our guide the Daily Lectionary of the Book of Common Prayer and a hymnal of our choice.

c. The psalms provide our model for disclosure in public prayer. With God’s help we will seek to pray more for others than for self.

d. Once a day at a time chosen by the Holy Spirit, we will gather for a full service of worship.

e. Members may therefore set aside time for prayer with fasting, but let such times be not habitual but few, only in urgent need or periods requiring discernment.

VI. Property and Work

a. We will use good financial management, holding all funds and assets in common. We will be accountable to one another and transparent to all.

b. Family members will work at their vocation, remembering that Paul said, let us labor and work honestly with our own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. (See Eph 4:28 NRSV.)

c. The community will be self-supporting, holding in highest regard those of us who work with our hands.

d. Any venture will be cooperative; proceeds will be shared equitably according to need. Any worker among us, although not having taken vows, will share proceeds equally with family members.

e. The family will not hoard its resources, remembering that Jesus said, “Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:33-35 (NRSV) Therefore, when God prospers the community, it will set aside a reasonable reserve for hard times (not a large endowment) and give its surplus to the poor.

f.  After the first two or three years, the community will give a tithe or more to the Lord’s work beyond and outside itself, remembering that the faithful of Old Testament times tithed more than 20%.

g. When someone wishes to separate from the community, they shall receive appropriate wages and the family’s blessing.

VII. Leaders. We will elect from our community by consensus

a. Community leader, appointed for a renewable term of five years

b. Business manager, appointed for a renewable term of five years (business being as much a spiritual matter as prayer)

i. Trustees, three persons who will legally represent the community, but who are authorized to act only upon direction of the whole community

ii. Trustees will serve rotating three year terms, and must remain out of office for three years before eligible to be re-elected.

c. Worship leader

d. Community, business, and worship leaders will be the administrators of the community, making decisions as needed between meetings for business.

VIII. Relationships

a. Our first relationship is to God.

b. We will love and cherish the earth, our mother.

c. We will practice good self-care and have self-esteem because we are God’s “works of art” Eph 2.10 NJB, and Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10 (NRSV) We will seek to avoid both self-indulgence and the masochism of some earlier orders.

d. We will abide by the Golden Rule, and love especially those of the household of faith.

e. If the Lord blesses us with more than one community, each will be autonomous. Our only tie will be love. We are not an organization or institution, nor do we aspire ever to be.

f. Following Jesus’ instruction, we will give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s (see Matt 22:21 NRSV).

g. We will be people of peace, adhering to principles of non-violence exemplified by Thoreau, Gandhi, and King. While we honor those who serve with honor in the armed forces, we will not bear arms.

h. We adhere to God’s preference for the poor.

i. We acknowledge that ours is not the only way, but it is the only way we know.

IX. Order

a. The community will diligently practice all principles of Christ.

b. In the event a member fails to do so, the community leader, business manager, and worship leader will investigate and seek to restore the member following Matthew 18.15-22 in a spirit of humility and mercy. A member who refuses to amend their life will be excluded. No other action will be taken against them. The community leader will excuse those under 17 from any meeting where such matters are discussed.

c. The community will abide by all laws and cooperate fully with law enforcement, except in public matters of civil disobedience.

X. A family meeting for business will be held annually, more often if, in response to the community’s wishes, administrators decide to do so, but not more than once a quarter.  Articles I, II, and III may not be amended. Other amendments may be introduced at one annual meeting; if adopted by consensus at the next annual meeting, they will take effect.