The reflections on 'Simplify' have directed my thoughts towards the early 'simplifiers' - the missional monks - Celts, Benedictines, Cistercians etc. I guess that the early monastics learnt a lot through tough experiences. Now don't get me wrong. I am not assuming there were no sublime moments, but you don't build a worshipping, missional community without facing, embracing and successfully navigating big challenges!
Many contemporary groups and aspiring movements attempt to idealise their journey with a series of 'idealised' values. However, the pilgrimage of faith we walk is best negotiated with a healthy dose of pragmatism!! Let's distance ourselves from Platonic influence and recognise that there is only so much a 'sinner', even a rescued one, can do!
Hence the early monastics limited themselves to three vows; poverty, chastity and obedience. Today poverty is perhaps least understood. However, it did not mean monks were to become beggars. There was recognition of the dignity work affords. They developed a rhythm of life that created space for regular prayer whilst also working the land to provide their food. There is evidence that wandering and begging monks were excluded from the community meal since they did not take responsibilty for their own lives. Harsh hospitality perhaps, but a lesson to ponder in our age of proliferating personal wealth and the essentials (things my parents saw as luxuries) we all seem to require.
So what would our contemporary vow be in place of poverty? I would suggest either simplicity or responsibility, with my personal preference ‘responsibility’. The early monastics were certainly recognised and trusted because they were not held ransom by the lure of personal material acquisition or enrichment. They knew who they were called to be, the nature and substance of their mission, and were at peace with it - and with themselves. They offered support, prayer and counsel to both rich and poor without fear or favour.
So today is there not a place for such a value? Not a universal value, nor an idealised one, but one embraced by those choosing to accept a call to live in this very specific way. Comfortable with a rhythm marked by a simplicity of life creating greater intentional space to pray, counsel and facilitate spiritual growth individually and across neighbourhoods?
The second vow was chastity. Cause for mirth or horror, often both in equal measure. I assume that sexuality and libido are little different today than in the early Christian centuries. So I also assume there were plenty of confessions of well intentioned Christian failure in this area. Remember there are no 'ideal' ages in church history. Same raw material - humanity - same propensity to mess up. However, maybe the mutual accountability structures carried a greater grace gift to manage this issue than the contemporary Christian community. It was not accepted but it was recognised as one very obvious reality of human frailty and it's impact upon well intentioned commitments to chastity.
One thing that lay behind the commitment to chastity was the flexibility for mission it created. An ability to travel anywhere at a moment's notice. Today we are unlikely to get far promoting active chastity! However, perhaps the contemporary value would be 'authenticity'. This would provoke constructive conversations during courtship and marriage around the nature of personal and joint callings. This would perhaps generate some authenticity as to the ‘futurescape’ both bride and groom have in their minds for their future together. This again might be helpful in creating a higher level of honesty when discussing the consequences such decisions have on our lives - earning capacity, pension provision, housing stock and location, schooling opportunities etc. Some authenticity too around issues of human sexuality rather than the high moralising to which the church has become addicted.
As for the third monastic vow, obedience, that probably stays the same! Obedience to God and the biblical revelation. Also obedience to the mutual agreements made with community members and to my own commitments. This is fraught with challenges since it requires honesty, truth telling, openness and a good measure of apology - I don't get this right straight off. Still it does encourage good self awareness and the development of enhanced interpersonal and communication skills.
So for me these represent the three critical foundational pillars in establishing a rhythm of life based on the monastic model. No two rhythms will look exactly the same but will be planted grow from the soil of the same three values.
