New Monastic Movement

            The thing that most stands out to me about the new monasticism is the idea of balancing God’s kingdom to all people, not just limiting it to people who are similar. The beliefs they have are similar to monks from the past, but there are some updated expectations. These are called the Twelve Marks. The "Twelve Marks" of new monasticism express the common thread of many new monastic communities. These "marks" are:

1. Relocation to the "abandoned places of Empire" [at the margins of society]
2. Sharing economic resources with fellow community members and the needy among us
3. Hospitality to the stranger
4. Lament for racial divisions within the church and our communities combined with the active pursuit of a just reconciliation
5. Humble submission to Christ’s body, the Church
6. Intentional formation in the way of Christ and the rule of the community along the lines of the old novitiate
7. Nurturing common life among members of an intentional community
8. Support for celibate singles alongside monogamous married couples and their children
9. Geographical proximity to community members who share a common rule of life
10. Care for the plot of God’s earth given to us along with support of our local economies
11. Peacemaking in the midst of violence and conflict resolution within communities along the lines of Matthew 18
12. Commitment to a disciplined contemplative life

This order calls for hospitality, community, racial equality, humility, economic wisdom, and a variety of things that go beyond what people consider “missions.” The church needs to be more conscious of these ideas as well. Not only should the church be doing programs that present the gospel, but should also be working to be humbled, promote equality, take care of the earth and consider the poor.