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The New Friars: The Emerging Movement Serving the World's Poor
Finalist, Fourth Annual Outreach Resource of the Year (2006) Vows―exclusive promises or commitments―are almost unheard of these days. They're considered a quaint relic of times past when open options were not such highly regarded virtues. But many people in this commitment-averse culture are begging for someone to set the bar higher, to call them to higher levels of devotion. Across the ages God has consistently attracted a few in every crowd who would make and keep vows, and called them to stick out, act out and speak out. In The New Friars Scott Bessenecker profiles young Christians who have voluntarily removed themselves from the status quo in order to seek justice and mercy with the poorest of the world's poor. These new friars are carrying on the work of the monastic tradition, the spirit of Francis and Clare of Assisi, St. Patrick and St. Brigid, the Jesuits and Nestorians and Moravians. The New Friars will show you that with God all things―even uncommon acts of courageous faith―are possible.
199 pages, Paperback
First published October 31, 2006
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294 people want to read
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September 8, 2016
I am rewriting my review. I went on a Global Urban Trek, so some of my thoughts towards this book are hard to organize in the midst of a number of intense experiences and emotions. Another reason that this book is difficult for me to rate is that I think it's something that elicits very different responses from readers depending on where they are coming from as individuals. Some people really need to hear that their ministry model is too extravagant, whereas others might be discouraged from pursuing something that is ultimately good because it doesn't fit into the model presented in the book.
I intend to go back and read it again, but for now I'll put down some brief thoughts.
What I Liked
This book is very well written, and it presents a compelling argument. It engages with a subject that should make every American pretty uncomfortable, regardless of your religious beliefs. That subject, is of course, that we live in a globalized world of extreme disparity. There is no limit to the human suffering that we see every day on the news and the internet, yet we live in a country of exceptional wealth. Being under the poverty line in United States still puts you in the top 10% of global earners. This is a crushing realization, and The New Friars gives moving examples of people struggling with that knowledge.
I enjoyed how examples were drawn from multiple time periods of church history. Coming from a protestant background I was used to people ignoring church history that occurred between the first century and the reformation. It was really good to learn from the lives of people who I did not know much about prior to reading this book.
Regardless of how you do ministry, we should always be asking ourselves whether we are doing what's right, or whether we are doing what's comfortable. Even if we aren't meant to follow this model of ministry, everyone should adopt some of these principles.
What I Didn't Like
I understand that the term "incarnational ministry" is meant to motivate us to model the humility of Christ, but I'm really uncomfortable with the implicit comparison that a rich person abandoning wealth to live among the poor is similar to Christ giving up divinity to live among mankind. This might primarily be an issue of semantics, but I think it is important because our thoughts are framed by the language that we use. I think that there is ample evidence in Christ's ministry to argue that we should give up what we have for the good of others, but I think it's really dangerous to draw the motivation to do that from the incarnation. I would argue that we should abandon the usage of "incarnational" when we are talking about anyone other than Christ, and instead just talk about being culturally relevant. We should be using 1 Corinthians 9:19-22 to explain why it is important to live among people, not the incarnation. How would you feel if someone richer than you gave away their money until they had just as much money as you did, and then they told you that they did it to model how Jesus came down from heaven to become a man? I would guess that your first thought would be "Who does this person think the he is?"
Imagine this scenario. You are a missionary in a poor community. One day you are brought in front of all of your neighbors, and you have to explain to them why you live where you live exclusively in terms of Jesus' incarnation. At the end of that talk do you think you would be closer to the people in your community? Would you feel embarrassed? I know that I would feel pretty uncomfortable in that situation. If we would be embarrassed to talk to the people we intend to serve in the way that we talk about them to others, then something needs to change. I understand what the intention is behind the phrase, "incarnational ministry,"--it's an easy way to explain a complex set of ideas. Even so I think it creates some strange problems when we really think about it.
The second issue that I have with the ideas in this book comes more from the reactions that I've observed in some of the people who have read it rather than the content of the book itself. The book does a great job of talking about humbling ourselves when ministering to the poor, but I think it would be worthwhile to include a bit more in regards to avoiding spiritual pride when dealing with our peers. Especially with subject matter this charged, it is very easy to respond with frustration to our peers who don't "get it." It's easy to judge other affluent Christians (because that is what you are to some degree if you have disposable income to spend on a book) for not seeing the "real Jesus." Once again, this is not an issue with the content of the book. I don't think these reactions are advocated at all in The New Friars. It's just something I observed both in myself and in many of the people I know who have read this book or similar books. In my opinion it would be worthwhile to include a bit more about spiritual pride directed towards our peers.
Final Thoughts
The New Friars wrestles with some hard issues. Problems that no one has a full proof solution to. Nonetheless, we have to find a way to engage with these problems even though we have no idea how to fix them or if a solution even exists. If you've never struggled with the disparity in the world, then it's something that you should start thinking about. If you're really interested I would recommend Quest for Hope in the Slum Community: A Global Urban Reader.
I intend to go back and read it again, but for now I'll put down some brief thoughts.
What I Liked
This book is very well written, and it presents a compelling argument. It engages with a subject that should make every American pretty uncomfortable, regardless of your religious beliefs. That subject, is of course, that we live in a globalized world of extreme disparity. There is no limit to the human suffering that we see every day on the news and the internet, yet we live in a country of exceptional wealth. Being under the poverty line in United States still puts you in the top 10% of global earners. This is a crushing realization, and The New Friars gives moving examples of people struggling with that knowledge.
I enjoyed how examples were drawn from multiple time periods of church history. Coming from a protestant background I was used to people ignoring church history that occurred between the first century and the reformation. It was really good to learn from the lives of people who I did not know much about prior to reading this book.
Regardless of how you do ministry, we should always be asking ourselves whether we are doing what's right, or whether we are doing what's comfortable. Even if we aren't meant to follow this model of ministry, everyone should adopt some of these principles.
What I Didn't Like
I understand that the term "incarnational ministry" is meant to motivate us to model the humility of Christ, but I'm really uncomfortable with the implicit comparison that a rich person abandoning wealth to live among the poor is similar to Christ giving up divinity to live among mankind. This might primarily be an issue of semantics, but I think it is important because our thoughts are framed by the language that we use. I think that there is ample evidence in Christ's ministry to argue that we should give up what we have for the good of others, but I think it's really dangerous to draw the motivation to do that from the incarnation. I would argue that we should abandon the usage of "incarnational" when we are talking about anyone other than Christ, and instead just talk about being culturally relevant. We should be using 1 Corinthians 9:19-22 to explain why it is important to live among people, not the incarnation. How would you feel if someone richer than you gave away their money until they had just as much money as you did, and then they told you that they did it to model how Jesus came down from heaven to become a man? I would guess that your first thought would be "Who does this person think the he is?"
Imagine this scenario. You are a missionary in a poor community. One day you are brought in front of all of your neighbors, and you have to explain to them why you live where you live exclusively in terms of Jesus' incarnation. At the end of that talk do you think you would be closer to the people in your community? Would you feel embarrassed? I know that I would feel pretty uncomfortable in that situation. If we would be embarrassed to talk to the people we intend to serve in the way that we talk about them to others, then something needs to change. I understand what the intention is behind the phrase, "incarnational ministry,"--it's an easy way to explain a complex set of ideas. Even so I think it creates some strange problems when we really think about it.
The second issue that I have with the ideas in this book comes more from the reactions that I've observed in some of the people who have read it rather than the content of the book itself. The book does a great job of talking about humbling ourselves when ministering to the poor, but I think it would be worthwhile to include a bit more in regards to avoiding spiritual pride when dealing with our peers. Especially with subject matter this charged, it is very easy to respond with frustration to our peers who don't "get it." It's easy to judge other affluent Christians (because that is what you are to some degree if you have disposable income to spend on a book) for not seeing the "real Jesus." Once again, this is not an issue with the content of the book. I don't think these reactions are advocated at all in The New Friars. It's just something I observed both in myself and in many of the people I know who have read this book or similar books. In my opinion it would be worthwhile to include a bit more about spiritual pride directed towards our peers.
Final Thoughts
The New Friars wrestles with some hard issues. Problems that no one has a full proof solution to. Nonetheless, we have to find a way to engage with these problems even though we have no idea how to fix them or if a solution even exists. If you've never struggled with the disparity in the world, then it's something that you should start thinking about. If you're really interested I would recommend Quest for Hope in the Slum Community: A Global Urban Reader.
April 29, 2007
This is a great mix of theology and stories. And there are pictures! It was one of the things that helped me to make the decision to join Servant Partners, one of the organizations profiled in the book. I'd recommend this book to anyone even remotely considering this kind of lifestyle.
My favorite part was Bessnecker's explanation of the way that God intended justice to be and the way that Jesus, son of God, chose to be born among the poor, the way He cast his lot among them. It was so encouraging to read the struggles that these "new friars" have had on the mission field, to be prepared, but also to know that it is not an especially gifted person who lives among the poor, but one who desires to grow and change.
My favorite part was Bessnecker's explanation of the way that God intended justice to be and the way that Jesus, son of God, chose to be born among the poor, the way He cast his lot among them. It was so encouraging to read the struggles that these "new friars" have had on the mission field, to be prepared, but also to know that it is not an especially gifted person who lives among the poor, but one who desires to grow and change.
November 14, 2008
I thought this book was good--it combined a theology about working with the poor with story-telling. I think my only fault with it is that the author implicitly represents living among the world's poor as the best and only way to answer God's call to care for the poor. Clearly, he has taken his theology only out of the Gospels, and the incarnation specifically, and not out of the context of the whole Bible.
April 30, 2007
I loved this book. having taken in some theology about how justice, incarnational living, and simplicity intersect with my faith in college, this book gave me a snapshot into people's lives who took that call seriously.
February 24, 2024
It was OK. I was hoping there would be something about neo-monastics in the United States, but there wasn't. I also do not agree with much of the theology expressed in this book. The early chapters did have excellent explanations of the sources of global poverty, but I think it does a vast disservice to American readers to assume that there are no poor here to serve. It lets people off the hook if they believe the only truly poor are thousands of miles away.
September 18, 2015
Good book with a lot of great insight and stories about the poor. However, I am not convinced that the premise of this book, living in the slums with the poor (as a friar), is the most effective way to reach them and help redevelop their communities.
As someone who does live and work among the poor, we live just on the periphery of the slum community that we are reaching and serving. I have found that I need my space, rest, and refuge away from the slums so that I can be restored and rejuvenated in order to last longer on the field and be more effective. The slum communities also tend to be more appreciative of what I do for them outside of their slums (advocating for them, meeting with government officials, speaking at churches, Skype calls with organizations, and retrieving goods, etc.) that is likely more difficult to do from within the slums.
Bringing hope, encouragement, and Good News to them as often as I can seems to be more valuable than if I were to live with them all of the time. Besides, we were once told by one of the slum dwellers that they think it is quite strange when we westerners try to be like them when they know we really are wealthy compared to them. Drawing a salary and able to get on a plane anytime to fly back to the US or attend nice conferences. Therefore, dwelling with the poor in the slums is really just a facade that the poor can see right through.
Nevertheless, I appreciated the information, statistics, and data found in this book. And, the various reasons why the poor remain in poverty. I also enjoyed the many stories of people stepping out in faith living and working among the poor. I also liked reading about some of the ways people are reaching the poor. Specifically, learning to enter into the reality of people's lives by releasing ourselves from the compulsion to always do in order to take time to simply be. I also enjoyed the historical accounts of those who did go before us, living and serving among the poor and who made a difference. People like Francis, Patrick, Clare, and the Nestorians just to name a few... who inspire us and motivate us to keep pressing on.
There is no doubt, our faith in Christ calls all of us to love and serve those who are destitute, marginalized, and poor. But, this book has not convinced me that living among them in the slums is the best and wisest response. And, it is certainly not for everybody. Nevertheless, I appreciate those who do live with them and are sincerely striving to transform individual lives and entire communities through the sheer humility, love, truth, and grace of Jesus Christ. My prayers and encouragement remain with all who live and serve the poor.
As someone who does live and work among the poor, we live just on the periphery of the slum community that we are reaching and serving. I have found that I need my space, rest, and refuge away from the slums so that I can be restored and rejuvenated in order to last longer on the field and be more effective. The slum communities also tend to be more appreciative of what I do for them outside of their slums (advocating for them, meeting with government officials, speaking at churches, Skype calls with organizations, and retrieving goods, etc.) that is likely more difficult to do from within the slums.
Bringing hope, encouragement, and Good News to them as often as I can seems to be more valuable than if I were to live with them all of the time. Besides, we were once told by one of the slum dwellers that they think it is quite strange when we westerners try to be like them when they know we really are wealthy compared to them. Drawing a salary and able to get on a plane anytime to fly back to the US or attend nice conferences. Therefore, dwelling with the poor in the slums is really just a facade that the poor can see right through.
Nevertheless, I appreciated the information, statistics, and data found in this book. And, the various reasons why the poor remain in poverty. I also enjoyed the many stories of people stepping out in faith living and working among the poor. I also liked reading about some of the ways people are reaching the poor. Specifically, learning to enter into the reality of people's lives by releasing ourselves from the compulsion to always do in order to take time to simply be. I also enjoyed the historical accounts of those who did go before us, living and serving among the poor and who made a difference. People like Francis, Patrick, Clare, and the Nestorians just to name a few... who inspire us and motivate us to keep pressing on.
There is no doubt, our faith in Christ calls all of us to love and serve those who are destitute, marginalized, and poor. But, this book has not convinced me that living among them in the slums is the best and wisest response. And, it is certainly not for everybody. Nevertheless, I appreciate those who do live with them and are sincerely striving to transform individual lives and entire communities through the sheer humility, love, truth, and grace of Jesus Christ. My prayers and encouragement remain with all who live and serve the poor.
August 17, 2010
Today’s “new friars” and prayer movements echo of those throughout Christian history. They are a “reoccurring dream”. They are small pockets of radical Jesus-followers meant to inspire a challenge of the status quo. “New friars” are those that have chosen to move into places of extreme poverty with the hope of making a difference and greater communion with God.
I enjoyed how the book introduces readers to a whole movement within Christianity by telling the stories of its contemporaries (Nazarites, St Francis, St. Claire, St. Patrick, etc.) describing the rational for the movement (global realities of poverty, Christ’s incarnational model, etc), and describing the characteristics of the movement (Incarnational, Devotional, Communal, Missional, Marginalized).
A couple other interesting tid bits:
Out of the world’s largest 100 economies 50 are corporations
Everytime the gap between the rich and the poor is measured it is greater than the last time it was calculated – Tolstoy
Even when people are resigned to poverty and don’t ask for help God (the loving father) still wants his church to offer them something worthy of creatures made in his image
I enjoyed how the book introduces readers to a whole movement within Christianity by telling the stories of its contemporaries (Nazarites, St Francis, St. Claire, St. Patrick, etc.) describing the rational for the movement (global realities of poverty, Christ’s incarnational model, etc), and describing the characteristics of the movement (Incarnational, Devotional, Communal, Missional, Marginalized).
A couple other interesting tid bits:
Out of the world’s largest 100 economies 50 are corporations
Everytime the gap between the rich and the poor is measured it is greater than the last time it was calculated – Tolstoy
Even when people are resigned to poverty and don’t ask for help God (the loving father) still wants his church to offer them something worthy of creatures made in his image
August 29, 2010
There is a lot going on out there with movements such as the new friars, the mosaic church, emergent, new monastic, etc. Bessenecker captures some of the most provocative stories and relates them in an inspiring way. A life given to Jesus and uninterested in the glory that comes from it or any other sort of esteem from the world can be a crazy transformative thing in the world. This book tells about many such lives. Bessenecker himself has spent many years experiencing shadowy parts of the globe and helping others do the same while allowing Jesus to change them. Approach this book with cation. It may alter your future.
April 1, 2017
Not sure if this is the direction that I am going but I hope so. I like the conclusion which says that even if you are not called to live in the slums of the world you can still support those people and live out the principles of The New Friars in your life here.
Principles of the New Friars:
-incarnation: tearing down the insulation and becoming real to those in trouble
-devotion: making intimacy with Christ our all-consuming passion
-community: intentionally creating interdependence with others
-mission: looking outside ourselves
-marginalization: being countercultural in a world that beckons us to assimilate at the cost of our conscience
Principles of the New Friars:
-incarnation: tearing down the insulation and becoming real to those in trouble
-devotion: making intimacy with Christ our all-consuming passion
-community: intentionally creating interdependence with others
-mission: looking outside ourselves
-marginalization: being countercultural in a world that beckons us to assimilate at the cost of our conscience
August 9, 2007
I liked this book in that the author defines the different kinds of proverty (intractable and tractable) and how there are many issues and factors that keep people in povery, not just mere laziness as some people would think. Also, the author shows what it means to live out the Gospel and de-glamourizes missions or what we think of it. It's an eye opener for anyone considering missions overseas, especially in third world countries.
May 3, 2012
This was a very informative, engaging book that I am very impressed with. It deals primarily with poverty and what Bessenecker calls "new friars", and runs along a similar thread as The Irresistible Revolution. I learned a lot and want to learn more. It was very thought-provoking and I feel like I will be processing it for a while. One thought that really struck me was on page 48: "A person's contentment with a situation of poverty does not make it OK."
June 4, 2008
Very convicting book to read. It is good at challenging the status quo and urging us towards complete devotion to Christ in helping the world's poor. The poor are definitely on God's heart, and I believe that God wants each follower of Christ to be actively involved in helping, loving, and serving the poor.
August 10, 2010
This is another one I had heard about and had wanted to read for a while before I got my hands on it. Offers compelling stories, from the past and present, of people who have followed God's call to life and love among the poor. Highly recommend reading it with people who can relate and with whom you can discuss. Walked away from it amazed at how God works among the poor!
June 3, 2011
This was the first nonfiction book ever that I could not put down. The stories are so compelling because Jesus shines in the lives of these New Friars. Read this book at your own peril - peril to your preconceived beliefs and your comfort zone, that is. It may set you on a journey that will change your life!
July 20, 2014
I thought it was really helpful to give a framework for this movement (that my husband and I are currently exploring). In terms of helping me figure out questions to ask, next steps to consider, or other resources to read, it wasn't as helpful as I'd hoped it would be. I'd recommend this as a great intro into communal living.
April 13, 2007
Very engaging. An excellent read for insight into the movement of serving the world's poor without getting an unneccesary, emotion ridden guilt trip. Instead, New Friars leave you with story, with fact, and with substance.
April 23, 2007
The lives of these modern day radicals are challenging and humbling. Most of them are fresh out of college and serving among the poor in some of the gnarliest areas of the world. I walked away with a new perspective on compassion and passion for those in poverty.
February 2, 2008
THis book is great! It delves into issues of tractable and intractable poverty and explains it so well. Then, it pushes forward into challenging us way out of our comfort zones and into God's heart for the poor and ways that we can join in his incarnational ministry.
August 11, 2008
An excellent counterpart to The Irresistible Revolution, New Friars is a great stew of stories of ordinary people living with the poor, throughout history and around the world. Read both books together.
June 4, 2013
The New Friars introduces people to the movement of 'new friars' who are choosing to live and minister among the world's urban poor. This book is a broad-scope look at poverty and its push-pull factors, and the five common values of those new friars.
January 24, 2016
a fascinating history of monastic orders and faith communities, leading up to the new 21st century movement to immerse oneself in the lives of the poor and marginalized. this gives "living below one's means" a whole new dimension.
November 25, 2007
Aaaahh!!! This book was beautiful!! It is mainly tilted towards people living in the West that are just beginning to teeter towards the idea of God's heart for the poor. Read it.
May 12, 2009
Don't read this book unless you want to be moved and unsettled. The examples of courage, sacrifice and selflessness based on a deep love of God are powerful. This is the gospel in action.
Want to read
May 13, 2008SJ, I accidentally swiped this book from your house and keep forgetting to tell you! I will return it (or you can kick me out!!).
December 15, 2008
Great reflection on how many people today are answering the call to serve the poor in a radical way!
November 6, 2010
insightful & invigorating.
December 3, 2013
An excellent and comprehensive read. Don't read this if you don't want to change.
December 5, 2015
Christianity is in a sad state when helping the poor is a new thing. Excellent book. Inspirational.
December 10, 2015
I love the commitment to Jesus and purposes on earth illustrated here in.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews