The communes of the 1960s and 1970s were set up by countercultural youth as an alternative to urban and suburban living, materialism, and rigid moral codes. Today we are seeing the rise of intentional Christian communities where believers band together around Jesus and each other. Clarence Jordan, founder of the Koinonia Partners years ago, characterized these communities as "demonstration plots of the kingdom."
David Janzen helped found New Creation Fellowship, a Christian intentional community in Newton, Kansas. In 1984, he and his wife moved to Reba Place Fellowship in Evanston, Illinois, where Janzen now runs an affordable housing ministry. He has visited many Christian Intentional Communities and is familiar with the blessings, benefits, and challenges faced by these idealists who often share possessions and live in close proximity to each other.
The paperback is divided into six thematic sections on:
• The Yearning for Community in Context
• Is Intentional Community Your Calling?
• Before You Move in Together
• The First Year of Community
• Growing Tasks for a Young Community
• A Mature Community Becomes Soil for God's New Seeds
Among the important subject matter covered by Janzen are the Gospel call to discipleship in community; transforming conflict into solidarity; gender in community — conflict and synergy; decision-making, leadership, and paths to unity; creation care, food justice, and a common table; when people leave; sustaining prophetic vocations and families in community; and becoming accountable — visitations and community associations.
