Neo-Monasticism

[Boleslaw]

http://prayerfoundation.org/what_is_new_monasticism.htm

What Is New Monasticism?

What are the similarities and differences between New Monasticism (itself primarily, but certainly not exclusively, an Evangelical Protestant phenomenon) and traditional Protestant Monasticism of the past 150 years? What are its origins and history?

The modern phenomena of New Monasticism, or Neo-Monasticism, which blossomed into general public awareness both during and following 2004 with a spate of books, articles and Christian print media coverage did not simply appear full-blown out of nowhere. Dietrich Bonhoeffer first used the term in a letter written by to his brother Karl-Friedrick on the 14th of January, 1935.

'...the restoration of the church will surely come only from a new type of monasticism which has nothing in common with the old but a complete lack of compromise in a life lived in accordance with the Sermon on the Mount in the discipleship of Christ. I think it is time to gather people together to do this...'
--Dietrich Bonhoeffer (January14, 1935)

The actual practice of New Monasticism had its beginnings in the teachings and interest in monasticism of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and first came to fruition on Apr. 26, 1935 with the founding of his Finkenwalde Seminary to educate Pastors for the "Confessing Church"; Evangelical Christians forced to go "underground" to escape Nazi persecution. Here he taught his views on and put into practical application his vision of a new monasticism. In 1937 the seminary would be declared illegal. Twenty-seven of its former students would be arrested by the following November.


...a slightly different "take" on monastic practice...

Although it too, is primarily Protestant, it has a slightly different "take" on monastic practice than the more formal and traditionally practiced Protestant Monasticism including Anglican/Episcopal, Lutheran, and Brother Roger's independent monastic community of Taize in France (Note: Taizé actually "overlaps" into both categories. In most ways a traditional monastic Community, it was the first Community to introduce three aspects of New Monasticism. It was the first independent monastic Community---not affiliated with any particular Denomination. It was the first Interdenominational Monastic Order---in the beginning Protestant; now including Roman Catholic and Orthodox monks. It was the first to reach and have a great impact on on lay youth).

New Monasticism is primarily (but certainly not exclusively) a movement of Evangelicals, and, like the early Celtic monks and the early Franciscans, stresses evangelism and missionary activity in one's own locality, and in many cases a deep concern for the poor. The emphasis is on going beyond the necessary beginning step of receiving Christ to actually living the Gospel out in one's daily life. Again, like the early Celtic monks and early Franciscans, the New Monasticism communities often combine singles with married couples, and some of these are families with children; St. Francis in the same way instituted his Third Order for lay persons, whether single or married.

[Boleslaw]

http://prayerfoundation.org/brief_history_new_monasticism.htm

origins and History of New Monasticism:


Apr. 26, 1935: Dietrich Bonhoeffer founds a Seminary to train Pastors for the underground Confessing Church (Evangelical Christians persecuted by the Nazis); putting into practice his teachings of a New Monasticism. In 1937 Himmler declared the Seminary illegal. By the following November 27 of its former students had been arrested.

Both the term itself, and the actual existence of the new and ever-expanding Christian movement called New Monasticism actually had its origins in the writing, teaching, and practice of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. It began on April 26,1935 when Bonhoeffer into practice his interest in monastic teaching in the founding of an illegal seminary in, Zingst, Germany, during WWII. In June of that year it moved to Finkenwalde. State Security police closed it down in 1937, imprisoning 27 of its students. The same year Bonhoeffer wrote his most famous book, The Cost of Discipleship. Dietrich was executed by the Nazis on Apr. 9, 1945 at Flossenburg prison, just a few weeks before the end of WWII. He was 39 years old.


1940: Brother Roger Founds Taizé in France

Brother Roger left his home in Switzerland and moved to France to help refugees escaping the Nazi occupation. He founded the monastic community of Taize in France. Although at first glance and in many ways seemingly a part of "Old Monasticism", his was the first monastic Community to institute many of the "milestones" of current "New Monasticism" in effect creating a "bridge" between the two. An independent monastic Community, it was at first an Interdenominational Protestant Monastic Community. Currently, Monks also include members of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Communions.

3 Milestones of New Monasticsm:
1.) Taize was the first independent monastic community (not affiliated with a Denomination).

2.) Taize was the first Interdenominational monastic Community (at first Protestant; later including Roman Catholic and Orthodox monks).

3.) Taize was the first monastic Community to appeal to great numbers of youth. Beginning in the 1950's (and especially from the 1960's and on), youth in ever increasing numbers have traveled to Taize in their search for God and meaning.


1964: R.A. Torrey III Founds Jesus Abbey in Korea

Around 1964, Reuben Archer Torrey III, an Episcopal Priest and Missionary to Asia (he had been raised in China, his parents were also missionaries), grandson of Dwight Moody's fellow servant of the Lord, R.A.Torrey, founded Jesus Abbey as a missionary community in Korea. It is affiliated loosely with the Episcopal Church. They are very Evangelical and sound in doctrine. They seem in actuality to be a Lay Monastic Community, but they do not call themselves that, or use the term "monks" in referring to themselves.


1994: Northumbria Community

The Nether Springs Trust was formed in the mid-eighties, out of the spiritual journey in the late seventies and early eighties of John and Linda Skinner and Andy Raines, who began attempting to follow Dietrich Bonhoeffer's ideas of a New Monasticism---ordinary people learning and practicing in their own lives, aspects of traditional monastic spirituality. In 1989 Nether Springs merged with Northumbria Ministries, and in 1994 became Northumbria Community (a dispersed community). It is strongly influenced by both the early Franciscans and the early Celtic Monks.


July 19, 1999: S. G. Preston (Monk Preston) and his wife Linda (Monk Linda) Co-Found The Prayer Foundation and the Knights of Prayer Monastic Order

First 100% Born-Again Christian Monastic Order

On July 19, 1999, S. G. Preston, (Monk Preston) and his wife Linda (Monk Linda) founded The Prayer Foundation ™, an Interdenominational Christian ministry (Evangelical Protestant) to promote and encourage prayer in the Body of Christ. Believing that all Christian ministries should also preach the Gospel, their emphasis was very strong evangelistically, also. As a parachurch organization, they do not take stands on non-essential (to Salvation) Doctrine. Currently (as of Nov. 2005) they have Registered Monks in 6 Countries in North America and Europe and over 1,000 volunteers worldwide.

At the same they founded the Interdenominational ( Monks all remain in their own denominations) Knights of Prayer ™ Monastic Order as one of the ministries of The Prayer Foundation ™. It was the first 100% Born-again Christian Monastic Order in the world, and in fact, in the history of Christianity. (see also their Statement of Faith including the Plan of Salvation also posted on this Site).

The First Monastic Order to Allow Women Monks

Teaching that monasticism should have been put to the test of the great Doctrines of the Protestant Reformation, as the institutional Church had been, they came to the conclusion that monks should be allowed to marry. Later they learned that the Celtic Christian Monks (400-1100 A.D.) also held this view, and were also very missionary minded, traveling as missionary monks to Britain and Continental Europe. The Prayer Foundation™ re-defined the term "Monk", stating: " all we really mean by the term "monk" is a Christian especially dedicated to the Word of God and prayer". on July 19, 1999, The Prayer Foundation's™ Monk Linda also became the First Lady Monk: the first woman to officially receive "full monk status" in the history of Christianity. They are a post-modern Religious Order of Celtic Monks in the spirit of St. Francis.


2004-2005: New Monasticism Movement Blossoms

Between 2004 and 2005 dozens of Evangelical Protestant Monastic groups were formed, mostly in the U.S., but also in the U.K. These usually combine both single and married couples, some with children. Missionary/Evangelism minded to their own localities, and generally zealous to help the poor. The idea is to go beyond accepting Christ to living out the Gospel in your daily life. The terms New Monasticism and Neo-Monasticism and came into general use to describe what is now a movement beginning to influence the entire Christian communion.

[Boleslaw]

Interesting they try to claim this as predominately a Protestant development, since my first readings into this involved the activities of many lay Catholic groups and orders. Also Ive been trying to read up on Brother Roger and his community at Taizé. Shame he the brutal manner he was killed last year. :(

Either way, it's a nice development, lets just try to keep the hippies out!