In another article, “global guerrilla” writer John Robb articulates a collapsitarian scenario for 2009/10 in which the US and other countries spin out of control due to pressures at the top from a global depression and pressures at the bottom from superempowered individuals.
Two possible scenarios arise in response to this: 1), open source insurgencies which use violence to achieve their ends – the establishment of temporary autonomous zones which are secure and economically sound while governed according to the “rules” of the insurgency; or, 2) the creation of resilient communities which also represent islands of stability, peace, and security.
Obviously, in a world that is deteriorating into a complex web of violence and chaos, this is a significant opportunity for local congregations (as well as the wider body of Christ linked through webs of social relationships) to create “resilient communities” – essentially kingdom tribes that bring about peace (shalom) in their local area.
This tribes would be swarmish networks that focus on the “four walls” of shelter, food, clothing and transportation. As they stabilize their local areas, they could also provide skills, a certain security, etc.
Further, you could take a page from the Celtic model (see here and here), and out of these churches begin sending out “superempowered monks” to establish new resilient communities in other places. The Celts had training centers (Bangor, Luxueil, etc) which sent out thousands of Celtic missionaries. These monks established new monasteries, and around each there was an agricultural revolution that led to a demographic surge, stability and peace. It’s a scenario that fits perfectly with our modern age—because it happened right after the greatest disaster of the 6th century, the Plague of Justinian: bubonic plague wiped out half of Europe. Read How the Irish Saved Civilization (Thomas Cahill) and Justinian’s Flea to get an idea of the power of this model after a disaster.
Take a look at your congregation and think about it in the context of a parish mindset. Ask yourself what the tribe can do first for members, then for members immediate families, then for wider friends and family networks. This is the time to reach out and be a blessing, not to shrink back from the world!
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Wow, Justin. I have been enjoying your posts about resilient communities. I see this as a thing that could work! But it does involve dedicated individuals who know their call. The Western mindset is to see to our own selves. We are taught all our lives to work toward one end: Success…or rising to the top.
It isn’t popular to build social relationships that include the four walls and helping with shelter, food, clothing and transportation. But I have found where social relationships are built first in a community, where the first building block majors on relationships in the context of “what the tribe can do for its members, then for members immediate families, then for wider friends and family networks”…. builds God’s Kingdom! Because what started with a small group, grows, as each member’s immediate circle is reached in to and affected. These are impacted to see God’s Kingdom where they never would have had opportunity beforehand. The original members are excited to see such fruit and that each one is necessary to help out. They witness the love firsthand and so does their immediate families. There is such awe and joy to see people work together to meet immediate needs and at the same time, opportunities are birthed for those who never thought it possible to do certain things……certain things that before were left only to paid clergy. Not any longer! And it is exciting! We can all visit the sick in the hospital. We can all visit the sick in any location and pray together. We can all help people with their needs and share resources. And the group is so close that we all know each other well and accountability naturally flows in the context of friendship and love. It works! But how do we reproduce it? So far, we have enjoyed modeling this. But never have I heard it articulated until I found your articles.
It isn’t popular if it isn’t understood. The clergy do not understand what is going on. It can seem to be a rebellion especially where “insurgency” may be suspicioned. In all actuality, it is simply what God intended all along for ALL His people. That we ALL make disciples of all nations, building the Kingdom that “represent islands of stability, peace, and security.”
Thank you for writing on this subject Justin. It has the wheels turning.