Your thoughts please

[Blue sapphire]

Just interested in your thoughts on an idea I have had for some time. It involves having a farm whereby on a regular basis (say bi-monthly) families are encouraged to visit the farm for a day of volunteer work.

Now the idea of this is to encourage the formation of a social support network while at the same time give families the opportunity to learn new skills. This is not limited to any age as all would benefit.

People living in cities would particularly appreciate this and give them a day whereby there would be a change of pace, scenery, etc. I envisaged having say 10 to 20 families.......depending on the size of the farm.

Social support networks are an important part of our daily life while on this planet......we can survive without them.......but it is far better if we have them.

To foster this type of activity and the success of it would involve a commitment on the behalf of the owner of the farm or the ones he designates to organise it.

Yet the outcome if done with Christ at its centre, could be most rewarding.

Your thoughts please.

 

[Nurbz]

This was actually done in Colonial America and into the early 1800s. It was christian communism where a town or small community focused on God, and worked for the good of everyone, farming and placing goods and food in town commons where it would be distributed to everyone instead of farming and working for just one's self, which formed close bonds with others in the community. It was heavily influenced by the book of Acts.

The only difference would be in your idea where the people wouldn't be permanent residents.

 

[His_disciple3]

why not just a Christian workshop in all our Churches, where we can teach them from scriptures to trust in God,

Matthew 6:25-26
25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
KJV
I hope you don't mean it this way but all these preachers preach that we must stock up so we can endue the last days, popular preachers on tv even selling powdered foods. expensive powdered foods so christians can survive the last days, and times of trouble, But Jesus set us free from the spirit of fear,

2 Timothy 1:7
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
KJV

Romans 8:15
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
KJV

Matthew 10:29-31
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
KJV

 

[Blue sapphire]

This was actually done in Colonial America and into the early 1800s. It was christian communism where a town or small community focused on God, and worked for the good of everyone, farming and placing goods and food in town commons where it would be distributed to everyone instead of farming and working for just one's self, which formed close bonds with others in the community. It was heavily influenced by the book of Acts.

The only difference would be in your idea where the people wouldn't be permanent residents.

Thats right Nurbz they only visit.......the idea is to have families who wish to be part of a small community and social network......coming together on a regular basis for the benefit of all.

It's not about stocking up or hoarding for the future........it is about having a small community where there is interaction and new friends made while learning new skills and doing it for a day at a time.

Also the benefit of growing one's own produce.

Again it would require a commitment on behalf of those organising it.

I have a question though..... is it being done anywhere else?

 

[new_wine]

Search for community farms and you will see a lot of these types of projects.

I'm in favor of it. But then I'm in favor of anything that promotes us looking after and caring for each other.

 

[ecclesasties]

May I please take exception to the phrase "christian communism?"

There is a big difference between Christians banding/working together for the good of all and communism.

Communism is a GOVERNMENT IMPOSED ideology where the individual has no choice..............not so with Christians...........

but that's just me, I guess.........

 

[Nurbz]

May I please take exception to the phrase "christian communism?"

There is a big difference between Christians banding/working together for the good of all and communism.

Communism is a GOVERNMENT IMPOSED ideology where the individual has no choice..............not so with Christians...........

but that's just me, I guess.........

That's what it was. I'm not advocating marxism, but at the time they didn't have a lot of personal property as we think of it, and all resources were held in common. Some towns/communities were led by a spiritual leader or sometimes they voted I think. It wasn't a capitalist democracy as we know it today anyway, but it was christian.

Why should you even take exception anyway? It existed hundreds of years before modern marxism, which was a different form of communism, and an offically run christian theocractic nation would limit individual choice as well depending on how the biblical law was applied to the government. It's all relative and depends on the group because christiany doesn't automaticly mean capitalism. So don't be afraid of words.

The book of Acts outlines the very definition of communism just to point out, and one married couple was killed by God for keeping some of the money when they sold their property.
Acts 4:32-35
Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

Acts 5:1-10
Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

 

[ecclesasties]

Not for nothing but, If you believe that the early church was based on comunistic/socialistic ideology, then I suggest you move to Russia or China or Cuba or various South American countries. The early church was based on church unity not an "imposed ideology" of the State. The Roman Empire was in power at the time and they were intent on hunting down all of these "rebels" who called themselves "Christians" (followers of that rabbel rouser named Jesus of Nazareth) and imprisoning them or executing them. As for communism/socialism, again these types of Governing bodies "impose" their ideology on their citizens. The early church in no way imposed their beliefs on anyone. When the Government uses it's standing Army to impose it's political/social ideology, THAT'S COMMUNISM. When the Church works in unity for the good of all, THAT'S AGAPE LOVE.

IMO, a huge difference, but, that's just me I guess..............

God bless........

 

[ashout]

I think that's a place I'd like to visit and work at someday! let me know if you start one in Texas.

 

[Kutte]

In reference to:
Now the idea of this is to encourage the formation of a social support network while at the same time give families the opportunity to learn new skills. This is not limited to any age as all would benefit.

Response:
It sounds like a good idea to me.
However, considering the mood in America against anything that smacks of 'socialism', I wonder about it.

Trouble is, though, that people in America have been totally brainwashed and are not even aware of the true meaning of socialism. It is not an ideology, but a practice employed by monks and nuns for instance. Also Jesus Christ practiced socialism while handing out bread and fish to 5000 hungry men.

In the secular world, socialism is practiced, for instance, by social service institutions,
social welfare groups and more.
Thank God for FDR initiating the social security system.

Kutte

 

[Nurbz]

Not for nothing but, If you believe that the early church was based on comunistic/socialistic ideology, then I suggest you move to Russia or China or Cuba or various South American countries.

You have GOT to be kidding me with this sort of response. You're so conditioned that when you hear certain keywords you automaticly give those sorts of responses without thinking.

Colonial America had church based communities and towns that opperated under a "communal" system where they shared property and resources amongst themselves. That wasn't MARXISM, but a kind of communism, just as the books of acts said the apostles did with certain groups of people that's why it's called "CHRISTIAN COMMUNISM". Communal means to share, to have in comon, and it doesn't automatically mean 20th century marxism with their atheist ideology. How do you think a convent opperates?

There's what you're told communism means, and what the actual defnintion and meaning is.... and before you give another canned response, I'll repeat I don't advocate marxism.

By the way, the early church was formed because gnostic sects were killing each other over interpretations of the gospels and the emperor wanted a collection of "official" books that would represent Christianity, which were voted on by commitee as to which books would be included in the New Testament and what books wouldn't. The gnostics that didn't accept this were killed to create that unity.

 

[Blue sapphire]

I think that's a place I'd like to visit and work at someday! let me know if you start one in Texas.

Well Ash......why not start one up yourself.....Ask God to lead you to a farmer who would be receptive or buy a farm yourself.

I am doing just that right now......looking around.....seeking direction. If it is His plan that I do this.....than it will be accomplished providing I make the effort.

 

[ecclesasties]

You've got to be kidding me if you believe that in today's world "communism" is a good/Biblical thing. Reality is reality. As well, regardless of how you wish to define commuinism it's still communism. You are certainly free to believe that the Christian Church is an exercise in communism if you wish, hey, go for it. I however will strongly disagree. I am fully aware of the connotation/denotation of the word communism. I am also fully in contact with reality. The Church is not an extension of communism or it's pratical implementaiton within society. In today's world it is impossible to seperate the denotation of communism from the connotation. I don't have to be told what communism means, nor do I have to accept your ideology of what the Curch is.

If you want to use these types of analogies, then at least get it right. The Church is based on the rule by/of a Benevolent Dictator. God! The Church/Christianity is not a democracy, NOR IS IT COMMUNISTIC.

 

[ashout]

Well Ash......why not start one up yourself.....Ask God to lead you to a farmer who would be receptive or buy a farm yourself.

I am doing just that right now......looking around.....seeking direction. If it is His plan that I do this.....than it will be accomplished providing I make the effort.

I've got a lot on my plate as it is, so I probably wont. to be honest with you though, I'm living in a place with lots of people were we all chip in doing chores and stuff right now, and they all say they love Jesus too. it's not really what you mentioned, we spend a lot of time sitting around doing nothing and smoking(I don't smoke anymore) and some of them like to smoke weed, so like i said it's not really the same. I personaly would love to have a task that i had to do and be surrounded by true and true lovers of Christ, but that is simply not to be. anyway's, good luck with your travles i hope you accomplish all that God set's on your plate.

 

[Nurbz]

You've got to be kidding me if you believe that in today's world "communism" is a good/Biblical thing. Reality is reality. As well, regardless of how you wish to define commuinism it's still communism. You are certainly free to believe that the Christian Church is an exercise in communism if you wish, hey, go for it. I however will strongly disagree. I am fully aware of the connotation/denotation of the word communism. I am also fully in contact with reality. The Church is not an extension of communism or it's pratical implementaiton within society. In today's world it is impossible to seperate the denotation of communism from the connotation. I don't have to be told what communism means, nor do I have to accept your ideology of what the Curch is.

If you want to use these types of analogies, then at least get it right. The Church is based on the rule by/of a Benevolent Dictator. God! The Church/Christianity is not a democracy, NOR IS IT COMMUNISTIC.

I didn't say that's what the church practices today, I said that's what a few communities in colonial America practiced by themselves, some of which lead by a spiritual leader and you started freaking out about marxism.

 

[ecclesasties]

nurbz, no one is freaking out..............I just disagree with your orrigional comment that's all........

and, oh, by the way, that's OK to do............AND you are certainly free to have your own idea about the subject.

I do not see that Christianity and communism are one in the same, even if the definition of communism is the "perfect idea of communistic ideology" without the corruption of man. I don't buy that early settlements were any more communistic in their government/social structure than what we have today. We disagree, that's all, stop trying to think for me and say what I am thinking or who or what has influenced me. My ideas/opinions are mine........and yours are yours and we both have a right to them and to express them.............

God bless............