MENTORING
The Nurturing Communities Network is driven by the conviction that the flourishing of intentional Christian communities depends on relationship to older, more established communities.
Older Communities mentoring Newer communities
Like the seed sown in shallow soil in Jesus’s parable, most new communities don't last more than a few years. They wither under the strain of inexperienced leadership, undeveloped communal structures, or just plain spiritual burnout.
Even though every community is unique, all communities undergo similar trials on their path to maturity. Nothing is as sustaining for young communities as having elder communities walk alongside them, bearing their burdens and sharing wisdom.
In turn, older communities find renewal in the vitality of the new generation.
Elder Communities offering Mentoring
The communities featured below have stepped forward to share their experience with novice communities around the continent. Most of them have been around for more than a decade – some as long as a century.
This mentoring is based on relationships built through visits, phone calls and sometimes offering a community visitation.
Bruderhof Communities (locations in USA & worldwide)
The Bruderhof Communities began in 1920 in Germany, inspired by the German Youth Movement, original Anabaptism and the early Christians. It was forced out of Germany by the Nazis. Today there are over 3,000 people in 28 communities worldwide. Each community looks a little different: urban and rural, big and small.
All members participate in common work and community gatherings. Visitors are welcomed, and are invited to join in the communal workshops making furniture for childcare, or adaptive equipment for people with disabilities. All members are a part of the full common purse.
Church of the Sojourners (San Francisco, CA)
Church of the Sojourners is a Christ-centered intentional community which is part of the Anabaptist movement. The group does not focus on doctrine, but desire to be deeply rooted in historically orthodox Christianity. The Church wants to be strong in their Christian convictions, strong enough to resist the corrosive elements of the culture, and to be committed to Christian unity in a way that allows them to be in disagreement with brothers and sisters at times without being divisive.
Hope Fellowship (Waco, TX)
Dates its origin to 1994 when a communal household in north Waco began to invite neighbors to worship and to share the walk of discipleship to Jesus. The group today of about 70 adults and children—most of whom live in the same neighborhood within walking distance of each other—shares a thick life together. The fellowship is bilingual; its worship and meetings are held in both English and Spanish.
The group’s mission statement reads:
By God’s grace to be the church:
• to love each other
• to serve our neighbors
• to proclaim God’s peace and forgiveness given to the world in Jesus Christ.
Reba Place Fellowship (Evanston, Illinois)
Reba Place started in 1957 and was later shaped by the 1970’s charismatic renewal. There are 65 people including interns, apprentices, and practicing members who live in the Reba neighborhood often living in common households. Some members participate in common work of property management or in a retail store with Amish furniture, others work outside jobs. Covenant members are part of a common purse. Members attend Living Water Community Church or Reba Place Church which are members of the Mennonite Church USA.
