Canticles of the Unhomed

So my wife and I voyaged, quite intrepidly, into the dark maw from which there is no escape, otherwise known as the local Christian bookstore. I know; I can barely believe it myself.

What's more, contrary to my firmly held conviction, I bought a book. In fact, I bought THREE. I know, the heaven shall surely fall. Actually, the first two doesn't really count, since I have read them before, and they are two of my favorite books: Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning and Generous Orthodoxy by Brian McLaren. These are books that I have owned before, and have lent out and never gotten back, so I didn't mind buying them again.

However, the third was the book you see to the right. Punk Monk: The New Monasticism and the Ancient Art of Breathing by Pete Greig and Andy Freeman.

The book explores the concept of building a new "post-post modern" monasticism built around the concepts of 24-7 prayer and a construct called the "Boiler Rooms." I have not gotten far into the book yet, but I have gleaned that they have their own rule of life that is built around two purposes (prayer and the practice of the Christian life), three principles (being true to Christ, being kind to people, and being missional), and six fundamental practices (prayer, creativity, hospitality, mercy, learning and mission). Their rule sums up their commitment “not to buildings but to community,” which I find extremely interesting.

Having been a monk myself, I fine that I am continually drawn to that kind of life. However, I cannot reconcile the cloistered life with Christ's clear imperative to missionalism. I have often thought if there was a way to bring the core concepts of monasticism into the 21st century. Some would say that was at the heart of the House.

I resonate withe the concept of the purposes, principles and practices. I am excited to read more. I will undoubtedly write more as I go.