EcoVillage as a model for missional community
I have been working on some workshops related to my experience and interests in green building, permaculture, and intentional community. In the process, I came across some educational curriculum for eco-village development that offers all this and more in an intensive month long package for people wanting to form various expressions of sustainable community.
I think this could be the perfect model for a post modern expression of faith (and alternative to church planting) incorporating a Christ centered but welcoming spirituality. I have seen several models of "secular" community that could be very reachable in a missional context.
I am wondering if there are folks that would be interested in this type of training. It would address sustainability, permaculture, community building, contemplative spirituality, local economies, green building, appropriate technology, eco-village design, and more. It would also have the potential for college or seminary credit.
Ron
I think this could be the perfect model for a post modern expression of faith (and alternative to church planting) incorporating a Christ centered but welcoming spirituality. I have seen several models of "secular" community that could be very reachable in a missional context.
I am wondering if there are folks that would be interested in this type of training. It would address sustainability, permaculture, community building, contemplative spirituality, local economies, green building, appropriate technology, eco-village design, and more. It would also have the potential for college or seminary credit.
Ron
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Brian McConnell on -
Thanks for posting your message Ron. Increasingly over the last year or two, I've been developing an ever-greater interest in an integrated, hands-on approach to 'sustainability' in general, and 'urban applications', more specifically. Consequently, I'm currently working with a number of others who share a similar vision, but in a multitude of different ways (even mine's still enfolding).
Along these same lines then, I've been introduced recently to Permaculture and am subsequently learning both its orienting tenets and practice. If you haven't already visited 'City of Peace' I'd invite you to do so, in addition to considering becoming a 'friend' of Roanoke's Permaculture Educational Guild.
I'll look forward to sharing and learning more . . .
Brian
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Permalink Reply by Ron Czecholinski on
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Thanks for the City of Peace blog link - I used to live in Harrisonburg and Roanoke was one of my favorite places.
I especially like the comment about moving fences - that is exactly the model I imagine. Here are a couple examples of urban efforts to build community that I like - they are not "faith based" but sure provide an expression of faith that could be reachable by anyone:
http://www.nstreetcohousing.org/
http://enrightecovillage.org/
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Permalink Reply by Brian McConnell on
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I think it's imperative we first begin with a 'God-sized' understanding of who we are as human beings, which better prepares us to assume responsibility for sustaining and further nurturing our respective meshwork of interrelations with others. I consider myself fortunate in this regard, in having been introduced to the underlying tenets of Integral (spirituality) about 13 years ago.
Consequently, I endeavor to stay abreast of the work of those who are utilizing that same framework to make rather phenomenal advances in their respective disciplines. Along these same lines then, I've recently discovered a release by Tom Thresher entitled, Reverent Irreverence. As Pastor at Suquamish United Church of Christ, his congregation is pioneering new territory as members of "The Evolving Church" (see video posted above).
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Permalink Reply by john jensen on -
Interested in figuring out how to do this in urban settings
John
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Permalink Reply by Brian McConnell on
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As I've suggested above, utilizing social media as we are here to facilitate contact, communication, and the coordination of events is a tremendous resource in developing shared interests. Because Roanoke's geography is such that the 'village' concept is already evidenced in an area known as Grandin Village, a group affiliated with Grandin Gardens there initiated a community blog site for those interested in joining. Creating a page at Facebook is also a great way to interconnect with other groups.
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Brian - Grandin Village sounds like a great project, are you involved there? How do you apply integral spirituality?
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Permalink Reply by Brian McConnell on
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Ron - I'll try and address the easier of your two questions first; re: Grandin Village and my involvement there . . . yes, as I'd mentioned earlier in the thread, the Permaculture group with which I've been working is based there. As one of Roanoke's 'homeless' however, I'm not technically a resident of 'the village' and probably still viewed as an 'outsider' by its local inhabitants. Which leads to your second (relatively 'loaded') question . . . 'How do I apply integral spirituality?'
Let me just say, from my own (personal) perspective, this is a challenging time for anyone dabbling in work related to mystic practice or experience. Nevertheless, I found a recently written blog by Scott Arbeit who points to Tom Thresher's example as "trying to figure out what it means to do Integral Spirituality in the context of something that looks like a traditional Western congregation" (please see, "Integral Spirituality and ice cream").
I guess you could say the approach I'm taking to 'spirituality' at the moment entails assuming responsibility for moderating my relationship with any tribe who's organized itself on the premise of disavowing all flavors of ice cream except 'green tea'. Ironically enough, I sampled 'passion fruit' only as recently as last night and have yet to try 'ginger' (I know, call me an unashamed derelict). - Brian
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There are lots of great examples for doing this in urban settings. The training I am working on will offer both theory and practical application to help groups move forward with this. I would love to see the development of a progressive network of missional community "planters" and the educational resources to go with it.
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Permalink Reply by Colin Richard on -
Ron,
My name is Colin Richard and I', part of a missional community in San Diego. I've been a passionate 'enviomentalist' for years and am currently in Northern California getting my permaculture design cert. It's clear to me that we have numerous shared interests, and would like very much to continue this conversation, either here on this forum or by phone, chat, etc. Please reply when you can - finding others with the background that lends itself to this kind of pursuit can be a challenge.
Best,
Colin
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Great hearing from you Colin. I would be glad to chat - probably phone or email would be best. You can find more about me and contact info at www.habitatreimagined.com
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Permalink Reply by Brian McConnell on
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As far as urban settings go, Integral Sustainable Development (SDv) is providing the 'theoretical', 'academic', and 'leadership' foundation from which my own work and creative efforts seem to be arising. Although I've referred to 'integral spirituality' (e.g. 'integral Christianity') in earlier posts, I've not previously shared the wealth of resources available at the integral economist here at TransFORM. Consequently, I'd like to invite you to visit the site to learn more about our introduction of this 'grass roots' movement and what we're doing to further propose and initiate 'sustainable projects' in Roanoke.
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