The Calling to Christian Community

Christians are drawn to intentional community for a variety of reasons. Some have read books or articles about community, others may have met someone or visited a community. A few simply read the New Testament with fresh eyes and seek to imitate what they see there. The Spirit of God is calling all people to deep and lasting relationships.  Intentional community has proven to be a durable model for Christians to grow together in love.

Nurturing Communities Network was established to provide resources for intentional communities at all stages in their development, from start-up communities to long-established groups.

The books below have been foundational for NCN communities. Many of them were written by founders or leaders of Christian communities as diverse as the Bruderhof, the Church of the Sojourners (San Francisco), Rutba House, and the Missional Wisdom Foundation.

Books:

    1. David Janzen, Intentional Christian Community Handbook: For Idealists, Hypocrites, and Wannabe Disciples of Jesus (Paraclete Press, 2012).

    2. Charles Moore (ed.), Called to Community: The Life Jesus Wants for His People (Plough, 2016).

    3. Jean Vanier, Community and Growth (Longman & Todd, 2006).

    4. Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, New Monasticism: What It Has to Say to Today’s Church (Brazos Press, 2008).

    5. Stanley Hauerwas and William Willimon, Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony (Abingdon Press, 2014).

    6. John Alexander, Being Church: Reflections on How to Live as the People of God (Cascade Books, 2012).

    7. Eberhard Arnold and Thomas Merton, Why We Live in Community (Plough, 2014).

    8. Elaine Heath and Larry Duggins, Missional. Monastic. Mainline. (Wipf & Stock, 2014).

    9. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together (Fortress Press, 1938).

    10. Dorothy Day, The Reckless Way of Love, Notes on Following Jesus (Plough, 2018).

    11. Dallas Lee, The Cotton Patch Evidence (Wipf & Stock, 2011).