Simply on a Mission (Together): Part Three and a Half

My addendum to Part Three:

First: Simplicity starts on the inside (at least for the Christian). Outside of Christian beliefs, minimalist thinking may be about 'stuff' alone. For the Christian it's about Christ alone and looking at life through that lens. Like I mentioned in Part One, the primary foundational value of living an Up, In, and Out life, is something that we can look at our whole life through. Our schedule, our living space, even our work areas, etc.

Second: Being on a mission together, in this context, is in the language of Missional Communities. Missional Communities are groups of 20–50 people who have united around a common vision, in the name of Jesus, and who witness to a particular context. Friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues are invited to come and be a part of this community. The group balances its energies in three ways: Up towards God, In healthy relationships with each other, and Out, representing Christ in their mission context. Our missional community has come together to help immigrants to the U.S. (specifically Karen people from a refugee camp in Thailand) settling in the U.S.. As a part of this life together we have families with kids of all ages, and we come together on a regular basis for dinner (potluck style).

Third: Staying light-weight and low-maintenance is a huge part of this life together. Getting out of an entertainment mindset and into a doing life together mindset is essential. Everyone pitches in. Part Four will be a part of this I think. 

Fourth: Kids. We have one child, but others in our community have multiple children of different ages. I love how one family has a box of toys and a box of books in the living room. When we're over there our daughter can get stuff out and play and make noise, and everyone is cool with it because they've been through that stage with their kids. The other family has a lego area in their living room, a box of musical instruments for kids, and while it gets loud at times :) it works. Don't have time to clean up all the toys? That's ok. We, in our entertainment mindsets might think "the house isn't ready!" but to kids coming in, they think "sweet! the toys are already out!"

Fifth: Having the mindset of "we're in this together," allows us to invite those we're in community with into our mess. We can help with dishes, we can help fold laundry, we can help clean up after our kids before we leave. The thing I'm finding is this: if we make it easier for people to help, they will. Part of simplicity is the humility to let others in. It is a very humbling thing to let people serve you, but I'm finding in Christian community, if we reciprocate it, it is very life-giving. Striving for simplicity is something that we can do together. Passing toys that our kids no longer use to other families who may enjoy them, as well as clothes, books, etc, can be a great way to un-clutter and help each other out at the same time.

More to come....