tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643715.post6756868088451026560..comments2023-06-09T12:46:12.932-04:00Comments on The Voice Of One Crying Out In Suburbia: Christians living in community - How would this look?Arthur Sidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03848508095612688493noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643715.post-85881763237301281992009-12-11T21:44:24.277-05:002009-12-11T21:44:24.277-05:00Ennis
I agree that there would need to be a frame...Ennis<br /><br />I agree that there would need to be a framework in place to keep the community from degrading into a control situation. Some of the groups I looked at restrict people from even traveling without permission. Imagine a family member sick or dying and you need to get permission to go be with them?<br /><br />There would certainly need to be a lot of prayer and thought <b>before</b> a community could be formed to prevent abuse.Arthur Sidohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03848508095612688493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643715.post-55214204680258303522009-12-11T21:42:37.789-05:002009-12-11T21:42:37.789-05:00Paula,
I think that is the key. The community sho...Paula,<br /><br />I think that is the key. The community should help one another, not control one another. As long as people are believers, the community takes precedence over distinctives. I think the money would need to be kept individual but the needs would be communally handled. I think money is the number one way people are controlled, even in the traditional, institutional church.<br /><br />Where is your homestead in Michigan? As long as it isn't in Detroit or Flint :^OArthur Sidohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03848508095612688493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643715.post-7929508732281777322009-12-11T13:01:58.188-05:002009-12-11T13:01:58.188-05:00OK, here goes nothing.
And it kind echos EnnsP'...OK, here goes nothing.<br />And it kind echos EnnsP's comment in a way.<br />Looking at history and even recent groups that attempt this, I have seen that most end up falling prey to going to far in the control aspect.<br />I am certain that it is very hard to determine how far to go at fisrt, but the longer you are "in it", the easier it is to have control tighter.<br />And then there comes a point at which things implode.<br />I have no idea how to avoid that.<br /><br />But things that I see working in our meeting.<br />We are very open about where we stand on stuff.<br />But, if another sees it a bit different, you are not going to get condemed for your stand.<br />Take TV for instance.<br />No one has TV anymore, both due to conviction, and not having the new equipment needed.<br />But no one is ordered to get rid of it.<br />Homeschooling. It is strongly encouraged, but it is not a requirement.<br />In fact, if a family is struggling with making homeschooling work, others in the church pile in and help support and teach.<br /><br />Those are just a couple of examples.<br /><br />Now we are also at a distinct disadvantage.<br />We drive an hour to get to church.<br />So do two other families.<br />No ideal, but that is where God has placed us.<br />In time, we may be able to start meetings in our own neighborhoods, but until that happens, we travel.<br /><br />I do not see a community where the houses are all in walking distance from each other working very well in the end. This allows for an insulated way of life that will eventually shut out the world.<br /><br />But I do see a village style, where you have small stores and businesses, where "outsiders" perfer to come, due to the integrity of the owners.<br />Homes are spread out a bit, with room for large gardens and pasture for animals.<br /><br />A single meeting house where all meet. But not in a UU style, :o)<br />A huge hall where common meals can be taken can either suffice as the meeting house, or be a part of it.<br /> <br /><br />Ok, nuf for now. Got to go get breakfast.....Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15496614522922016531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643715.post-90531192604075477982009-12-11T00:26:11.822-05:002009-12-11T00:26:11.822-05:00Interesting thoughts Arthur.
I wouldn't say...Interesting thoughts Arthur. <br /><br />I wouldn't say it is wrong to do what you have suggested but there would need to be some controls in place to prevent the community from gravitating to an Amish model (no offense to the Amish).<br /><br />You did address that (very nicely I might add) but the exact details would need to be hammered out. Exactly how would individuals in the community be allowed to interact with the world? What restrictions would exist? How difficult would it be to maintain "good standing" in the community and connect with the world personally at the same time? Even churches whose community life is managed loosely have tended to become very controlling over the lives of the members.<br /><br />One last thought. I see worship as less sectarian or separate or private and more evangelistic. Even the worship of the early church was done in public. Since many of these people were travelers from afar they didn't have private dwellings to isolate them from the public, so much of what they did, even worship, was out there for everyone to witness and many people got saved because of it. <br /><br />Anyway, just thoughts. Go well.EnnisPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02962612717129581443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643715.post-38138822467703292662009-12-10T21:14:21.801-05:002009-12-10T21:14:21.801-05:00Good stuff. More later...
Still want to start tha...Good stuff. More later...<br /><br />Still want to start that "cult"?<br />Just in case the Lord moves us to be the ones to take over the family homestead in Michigan......Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15496614522922016531noreply@blogger.com