I'm new.

[Mike DN]

Hi. My name is Mike and I have an interest in speaking with those having interest in Intentional Christian Community (ICC).

I only "discovered" this site after seeing a response to someone seeking ICC three years ago on this forum that I consider "unfortunate". It primarily consisted of recommending 1) Communism a la North Korea, 2) "flower generation" hippie groups, and 3) the kibbutzim in Israel.

I wish I had seen the original post back then because I would have responded by recommending these groups:

The Bruderhof www.bruderhof.com
Reba Place Fellowship www.rebaplacefellowship.org
Koinonia Farm www.koinoniafarm.org

A lifetime ago, my wife and I were members of one of Reba Place's sister communities and, though for only a couple of years, our experience of fellowship and life there have had long-lasting impact on how we see our life in the church we now call home.

As implied at the beginning, I still have an interest in "things community" and will enjoy attempting (within reason) to converse with others about it on this forum.

Thank you.

 

[Basil the Great]

Welcome to CF and may God bless you!

 

[HisGraceIsAllYouNeed]

Welcome!!

 

[ilovejcsog]

Welcome! Hope you enjoy

 

[sunshine100]

Hello and welcome Mike

 

[mnorian]

Mod hat on

this thread has been moved from
Introduce Yourself
to
Community Hangout
for a better fit and responses.
Carry on.​

 

[Percivale]

I am also interested in intentional community. It seems like few Christian communities are successful besides very conservative ones like Bruderhof or Twelve Tribes or Hutterites. Reba place and JPUSA are exceptions, but they are urban and I’m interested in rural, farming type communities. Progressive communities like Dancing Rabbit or Twin Oaks seem the most successful, but there aren’t as many for those who are moderate in values, whether religious or political. If there was a good fit in the southern Indiana area we’d probably be there.

 

[Mike DN]

Percivale - "If there was a good fit in...southern Indiana..."

Yes, this is always a problem. There just aren't enough of the Christian-type communities and most of the ones that exist are fringe groups way out there in terms of a pet doctrine or practice. Even so, it's all just a matter of the seeker's preference.

We were once members for a very few years (1977-79) of a sister community to Reba Place. That community finally shut down this (or was it last?) year though, of course, Reba Place is still active. I have always admired the Bruderhof and still follow them closely, but it concerns me that they (like seemingly all Christian communities) in their innocence get used by whatever "progressive" political agenda is currently in fashion, even though they seem able at times to "self-correct" the arc of their practical and spiritual allegiance back to that "Third Way", the Kingdom of God, which is neither Liberal/Progressive nor Conservative. I wish there were a way Christian communities could avoid being driven left or right politically in this way. It is really off-putting to me, though there are countless other reasons/excuses my wife and I would give for not resuming life in Christian community. Ultimately, my own selfishness is the culprit -- something I trust God will eventually cure.

The Bruderhof will be 100 years old next year, so I guess that means they're successful. I would encourage you to consider a visit to one of their settlements in Pennsylvania which might be close to you. I would imagine an actual visit would help the most with your quest. Also, have you considered Koinonia Partners in Georgia?