Nun and Monk Crisis

Decrease in numbers of nuns and monks.

I do not know what to think exactly. Part of me dislikes the whole monastery system - at least what it has become. I do not see a role in Christians separating themselves from the culture around them nor in having a two-tiered system of discipleship, which the monastery system promotes.

Modern radical discipleship is what we are each called to. The church needs to proclaim this from the rooftops, alleyways, and sewers - not just promote it to a few within the church who take vows to follow the footsteps of a radical Jesus. Every Christian needs to learn how to completely devote themselves to Christ in the place and position they find themselves in. If it is impossible to be a complete disciple of Christ in our current situation, then we need to flee from the situation no matter how pleasurable it might be. There is no two-tiered Christianity where it is okay for some to be mediocre in their faith while others are radical. We are all called to be radical followers of Christ, each in our own way although similar in principles. A community of radical disciples will naturally lead to us having a transformative impact on our society that we shop, live, and work in. We cannot have that impact if we isolate ourselves from the society and live in monasteries or isolated houses. (The isolation of monasteries is not just something Catholics face, many outside of the Catholic church still isolate themselves from society despite living physically within the society. They take being not of the world to mean not even associated with the world except to make money.)

I understand the value of the monastery in the past. There were times when monasteries were necessary. In the millenium following Christ, they were used as evangelistic tools. At other times they were the place where radical discipleship was preserved during periods of depravity in the church.

When they are needed again, monasteries will spring up. Sadly, we have the tendency to keep institutions running long after they have served their purpose.