Moving Out, Moving On, Moving In

As an introvert I’ve previously expressed my misgivings regarding the unavoidable conclusion that transformation only occurs in community. Alas, sometimes I wish I could stay home and read a book, or take a pill, and be changed, but it just isn’t so. Transformation is the key to the Kingdom. And so in our little faith community we’ve been focusing on this issue of transformation; what Jesus had to say about it, the theories behind it, but also the practical aspects of it. What do we need to do? Much of our collective experience has taught us that we can’t wait until we feel ready for the next step, as that feeling may never come. (This is particularly true if that next step is in opposition to the status quo. It seems like the universe just doesn’t want us to change, to question, to rock the boat, to wake up.) Sometimes we need to step out and take that the plunge. When we do we may experience that unsettling sensation of not feeling anything under feet, but it usually passes as our brains and hearts catch up to our new reality.

We’re also big proponents of sacred space. As one who often rails against the false dichotomy of the sacred and the secular, this may sound like a contradiction, but I don’t believe this is the case. While there is no secular, no place where God isn’t, our experience has shown us that it is possible to be more intentional about creating space where God’s presence seems more readily felt. For the past 4 ½ years Sue and I have been living in 720 square feet of space. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a very nice place, and we’ve been fortunate to have it. But it is small, and it doesn’t really allow for creating any sacred space separate from the main living area. After this much time it feels like the walls are starting to close in on us.

And so, for the past six months we’ve been looking for a new place. And yet…

Because of the stratospheric nature of the property market here in BC we’ve had to look at older places, and places off the North Shore , and places farther out. Needless to say we’ve had little luck. More to the point, however, it just hasn’t felt right. As self-righteous as it may sound, the thought of taking time and resources to meet our own needs in such a major way hasn’t been sitting right with me. All I can say is my heart has not been in the process.

And then it hit me.

In reality I’m sure it hit Sue a long time ago, but she’s been waiting for me to come to the same conclusion. In our circle we’ve been talking around the idea of communal living as the next step in the journey. In some ways it’s been a safe conversation to have. After all, we’re just talking. We’re not actually going to do it, right?

Well…

This fall Sue and I are moving in with Jen, Pete, Daniel (age 12) and Sarah (age 10).

We’re going to experiment with what it means to live together. We’ll have (some) common meals, and biweekly house meetings where everyone gets to speak up. Sustainability is also going to be a big emphasis: recycling, composting, gardening… we’re determined to shrink our environmental footprint.

Lest anyone think I’ve completely abandoned my capitalistic roots, this move also makes sense economically. We’re selling our place while the market is red-hot. If we were to buy somewhere else it would take everything we had. This way we’re freeing up resources for other uses.

We’re going to try our best to document our adventures in living at Delta House (we’ll be living in Delta, BC.)

Comments

[Makeesha]

that is SO COOL! Ever since David and I read Mustard Seed versus McWorld we have wanted to do something like that. I'm hoping that our dream will become reality when we move to the UK...I'm totally jealous.

[Wes]

...you go!!!

...and I'll be eager to read the "Delta Chronicles."

...see you tomorrow!

[david]

So jealous. I love having hippy friends!

[MikeC]

I also am looking forward to hearing the story of Delta House. Please keep us current! Are you going to change the name of your blog to something apropos?

[wilsonian]

Yep, very cool! I too am looking forward to hearing how it goes, and praying I have a similar opportunity someday.

[sonja]

Been trying to talk the husband into this for years ... looking forward to reading about it.

[Beth]

Hey, fantastic. Good for you guys. Though MSH has a different model than that, Mark and I have no desire to go back to a less-permeable way of life.

[beth]

me too. i'm most curious about the biweekly meetings with 10 and 12 year olds speaking their minds! mike got another tattoo - why can't i?, mike forgot to take out the compost, and you didn't yell at him..... but on a serious note, you may want to consider helping a person with a developmental disability - a lot of agencies are looking for placements for independent people in families. And it can help the bottom line too. Just an idea - Since you are jumping off the cliff anyway...

[David Todd]

mike...so glad you have put it all down on paper...go for it...you know we are behind you and will be waiting to hear your reports on how it all works out at delta house...we will be praying for all of you as you take yet another step on this journey....betty t. .

[nate]

mike - looking forward to hearing about the journey. my wife and i bought a house this past spring with enough room for others to move in with us (for the same purposes as your move). in july we had an aquaintance from indiana move in. it has been a wonderful experience - sharing, talking, growing, watching our daughter cozy up to him - we're still searching for more partners (we have two bedrooms left). if you read mike's blog and you want to do something similar about 5 minutes outside of Philadelphia, send me an e-mail! n8fish at gmail dot com.

[David Todd]

NO doubt it, Mike, a great idea. In fact, you might just trigger a whole new trend in BC, and pull down the entire property market!! Then ordinary people could actually buy a roof over their head in Vancvr. As a life-style adjustment it is fully consistent with the early Christian church's approach to living, as in Acts. As you know I just read Ron Sider's "The Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience" It is challenging and a powerful shocker on the whole issue of our values and how we should live. I recommend your readers get it!! PS: On the issue of Communal living, you have now got Betty really excited and we are wondering if we could move in?
DT

[robert]

how old are Jen & Pete?

[Lynne]

Wow, this is really challenging to me, and I wish you all a joyful & blessed sacred space together at Delta House.
I see D & B have set thier sites on you guys for post retirement days...whatever happened to Capilano House?

[Tim]

Good on you, Mike.

As an intentional liver in small houses I know all about the shortage of 'sacred' space. But that's what my tiny little back deck is for! and the great outdoors (most of my private praying gets done on my morning walk).

[Mark Petersen]

I look forward to hearing more on Delta, my friend. Keep us posted.

[Matt Kok]

My wife and I just looked at some places in Surrey yesterday and quickly realized we would be in over our heads. Today, we talked with another couple at church and the idea of communal living came up--something we've had on our minds for the rest of the day...and tomorrow...and...

I'm curious. Did you, in all your readings, come across anything that has helped you understand how communal living should be? Any advice on how to continue to thought process intentionally, so that we don't just end up in continual conversation without acting upon our dialogue?