04.09.08
missional orders, triads, formation
Even though we began by talking about sexuality and sacrament, a singularly uninteresting topic, we eventually got to the real meat: a rule of life, missional orders, and spiritual formation.
A month ago it looked like we would adopt the MORPPH statement, now it looks like we will share vows, but adopt statements that make sense to us as triads. Four of us prefer the more general Northumbria rule,and one will use MORPPH as a starting point.
We will enact our vows as triads and quads, and share the journey in those groups also. But we will also create a web site where we can share reflections, stories, and whatever else grows out of this initiative. In this way we can develop a decentralized network that is independent of physical meetings or individual personalities.
The movement away from the more defined format of MORPPH began with an unease about the uniformity of practices. Some uniformity was easily embraced: praying the office and meeting in triads or quads for example. But uniformity in expression of hospitality and mission was less readily embraced. It seemed to us that we wanted to hit at essence, and let expression take shape more creatively around the life of the individual or couple. This is probably necessitated in part by our diversity and our diverse commitments. If we were all in the same local assembly it might be different, as is the case with our brother who intends to use MORPPH.
For the rest of us, we see more use in aiming at essence rather than particular form. We want to make a soup, but we don’t want to use a set recipe. Soup is nourishing, hot, and tasty. It’s actual form varies immensely. If we use fresh ingredients, we respond to the rhythms of the earth and the growing season. Soup looks different in April than in September.
In aiming at essence and intentionality, we allow personal flexibility within the shared commitment. This requires trust and a degree of maturity. It also pushes our dependence more into the relational realm, and away from the rational and codified realm. Since we want our order to be high on relationship, locally engaged, it makes sense for us to adopt a rule that is built around intention and shared purpose.
