When I first began pursuing the notion of developing an "intentional Christian community" some five or six years ago, I was completely unaware of what was taking place behind the scenes in many North American urban centres. Sure, I knew of the monastic orders that existed in some cities (but more often outside of the city), and I was even aware of the Base Ecclesial Communities that had been developed in Latin America, but I had no idea that a number of small Christian communities, developed primarily by the laity, had been planted and were growing all around the globe -- I was completely unaware of the "charismatic Catholic communities" that had existed for decades, or the "New Monasticism" movement which began more recently, or the number of small, independent Christian communities that were quietly working away, even in the city in which I lived!
Consequently, having discovered, been led to, or stumbled upon, a number of communities and movements, I have benefited a great deal from their examples.
Therefore, this blog has three purposes:
(1) The first purpose of this blog is to bring together the voices of those who are members of intentional Christian communities with the hope of encouraging dialogue. Indeed, even apart from dialogue it is often encouragement enough just to be made aware of what is already going on "out there."
(2) The second purpose of this blog is to provide some encouragement for those who are interested in moving into, or developing, an intentional Christian community. Being able to read about, and dialogue with, those who have already started down that road can transform what seems to be an impossible fantasy into an attainable reality.
(3) Finally, the third purpose requires a bit more explanation because it is based on the study of Paul and the communities he founded. What has struck me, for some time now, is the way in which Paul developed communities that, while fully aware of their rootedness in particular contexts (Corinth, Ephesus, etc.), were also just as aware of their connection to other communities. Thus, for example, Paul is able to take up a financial collection from a number of his communities in order to support the especially poor community in Jerusalem. Or, as another example, it is striking how a Christian from the Christian community in Corinth could travel to Rome (or wherever) and be assured of being welcomed by the Christian community there. Thus, by attempting to bring together some of the intentional Christian communities that exist today, I am hoping that we will be able to recover something of this sense of catholicity. Perhaps, in this way, we will be able to discover new ways of sharing and of showing hospitality within the global body of Christ.
Therefore, if you are a member of an intentional Christian community (of any type) then please email me the link to your blog as well as some sort of introduction/overview/description/whatever of your community and how you got involved there (my email is included on the profile page). I will then post that information, and the link on this blog.
A concluding note on the name of this blog: the expression amor quaerens intellectum ("love seeking understanding") is taken from an essay by Jon Sobrino, and it is a deliberate play upon the famous definition of theology as fides quaerens intellectum ("faith seeking understanding"). I think that such a revision, focused as it is upon Christian living, will resonate well with those who are seeking to journey more intentionally with their neighbour, whoever that neighbour may be.
