September? I’ll be in India from the 12th through the 23rd…

Well, you know how us Fuller guys are on promises…

I hope to soon. I’m headed to Uganda on August 4th. Maybe later in August?

eg

Great post.  We have been living in community for almost two years now.  We are approaching this by living in the same neighborhood; actually, I own two houses and we rent one of them out to three single gals.  So, my family of four (me, my wife, our son and my wife's father, all in the same house), these three gals and their friends and then some others who don't yet live in the neighborhood, but probably will at some point. 

For the first year our focus was on community and/or worship.  We nearly killed each other.  We regrouped and are now learning how to keep our focus first and foremost on Jesus.  As we learn to do this, the other things seem to be falling into place.  We are truly becoming a group of people following Jesus together, which is what the church is, is it not?

Thanks again for the post…

Eric

I’m interpreting “a means to an end” stated above as- undertaking this lifestyle affords partakers a greater opportunity for spiritual growth and oneness in the body of Christ, giving out of itself as His body in life mode. In light of this (if we are on the same page) How do you see discipleship in action in a communal living atmosphere? Can you give an example of (imperfect) but none the less, successful discipleship in a community living experience? Thanks!

@Alex – You're in?! Great, when should I expect you?

@Sarah – to be brief (maybe I will offer a full post later?) I would say that discipleship entails becoming more like Christ as we seek to live like Christ.  Living in community is a means to this end in that it invites us into a lifestyle of sharing, sacrifice, accountability, and common mission.  To speak personally, after sharing life with a common group of folks for about 10 years in college and after, I have learned what it means to love people when they are different than me, when they disappoint me, and when they just flat out get on my nerves.  I have learned the freedom of living with less and the ins and outs of depending on others rather than myself.  Just a  few thoughts, good question.

God bless ya!
Your servant and His,
Jerry Nelson
Koinonia
http://www.koinoniapartners.org

All I can say is that I’m in!

To me it’s an opportunity to go back to a time based on fundamentals and primitive social equality, but not to say backwards, but to a more humane and decent existence.

I’m imagining people sharing ideas, space, beliefs, energy (in the physical and mental sense). Of course the eco-freak in me is also seeing a community that shares wealth and resources.

Thanks for the post.