Posted 345 days ago

April 2009 Seed Sampler: Suburban Missional Church and Rural Intentional Community

Is it just me, or do conversations surrounding community and mission seem to focus on expressions in urban settings? We hear a lot about the simple way, the New Monasticism, and other communities that are all urban.

But those areas are not the only places where people can live in community or live missionally. The focus may be different, but the idea is the same: Christianity cannot be practiced alone, and wherever we are, we should celebrate and proclaim the “already-here” kingdom of God.

This issue of the Seed Sampler is dedicated to telling the stories of people who are experimenting with missional church and intentional community in suburban and rural settings. Kathy Escobar and Todd Hiestand talk about the sometimes hidden needs of suburban people that the church can address; Jason Fowler writes about his dream of rural community and the beginning of that dream’s realization; Natanael Disla talks about a movement toward community-oriented development in Nicaragua and the importance of environmental sustainability in rural areas; and Joy Schroeder talks about the challenges her suburban community faces in Phoenix, Arizona.

If you don’t feel called to the big city, then I hope by reading these stories you will be encouraged to start something where you are.

Blessings,
Judy Naegeli
Mustard Seed Associates

P.S. This issue also includes a liturgy from the new MSA Easter Celebration Guide, a follow-up to the very popular Lenten Reflection Guide.

Seed Smile | Mental Detox Week
Seed Story | Suburban Missional: The Iceberg Underneath, by Kathy Escobar
Liturgy | Easter Sunday, by Christine Sine from the New MSA Easter Guide
Reflection | Conflicted, by Christine Pohl
Seed Share | Women and Men as Corn: A Campesino Gathering in Nicaragua, by Natanael Disla
Seed Share | Rethinking the Evils of Suburbia, by Todd Hiestand
Seed Share | Community in the Country: A Personal Story, by Jason Fowler
Seed Share | Missional in Suburbia? by Joy Schroeder
Resources | HERE
Synchroblog Update | HERE

Recession Readiness Update
Do you know of any churches that give a damn about those losing their jobs, homes, or resources to care for their families in this deepening recession? Tom Sine invites you to join the conversation and share either examples of churches that are reaching out to their neighbors near and far or your frustration at congregation’s lack of response. Tom has started a conversation on our web site and would very much like to hear from you. Click here to join the conspiracy.

We are working on creating a Recession Readiness Manual that we are going to make available as a PDF. We are keen to hear of any churches where you live that are creating ways to reach out to their neighbors. If you are looking for ideas, read this article Are You Recession Ready? by Tom Sine, published in Leadership Journal.

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