The New Marks of Monasticism

[Mark Whitten]

[The following is an excerpt from Mark's latest re-monk.com post on the New Marks of Monasticism.  At the end of the article, you will find 12 New Marks of Monasticism - from a slightly different perspective]

Although we are grateful for the pioneering literary works of Shane Claibourne and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove on the “12 Marks of New Monasticism”, we do not feel that they are expressive of, or inclusive to the whole body of New Monastic believers and worship communities. Some of their “12 Marks of New Monasticism” seem to be somewhat narrowed to a Western, urban context, failing to consider the other half of the world that lives in rural or suburban locals. It is also our observance that the 12 Marks of New Monasticism, according to Claiborne and Hartgrove, offer a more humanistic approach to Christian community than a Theistic worldview.  We are also slightly troubled by the political undertones found in their 12 marks of New Monasticism and feel that several of their statements are better fitted for their individual ministries as opposed to the entire movement of New Monasticism.  Therefore, we feel compelled to offer the Body of Christ and those who are on the journey toward a New Monasticism a more inclusive and God-centered approach to this movement...view the rest of this article at http://re-monk.com