For those considering living in intentional community – we thought we would post our community covenant to give you an idea of how we seek to work it out here in East Austin.
Fireseed Collective Covenant 2009 -2010
The heart of a Fireseed Collective is to love God, one another, and neighbor intentionally. As a group we are committed to a deliberate approach to making a life together in the example of Jesus. Each person involved seeks ways to contribute their gifts to our common vision and commitment.
We’ve identified 4 specific themes and commitments to God, one another, and neighbor based on the culture-creating vision of Fireseed:
Faith
Story
Holistic Discipleship to Christ
Cultural Generosity
1. Faith. (Prayer)
We are a community of faith. We seek the fruitfulness and guidance of the Spirit that comes from being attentive and surrendered to the will and presence of our Creator.
We practice and create opportunities for prayer, intercession, silence and solitude personally, as a collective, and for others.
These rhythms help us remain dependent on the voice and power of the Spirit. We consider others’ space & time for seeking God as sacred.
2. Story. (Explore)
We are a community of story. We explore & share the stories & teachings of Jesus within the greater narrative of God.
We are committed to learning one another’s stories & our own. We facilitate regular opportunities for discovery and understanding.
3. Holistic Discipleship to Jesus. (Experience)
We are a community of growing disciples of Jesus in every area of our lives. We want to experience living out the teachings of Christ and the God of the Bible through the power of the Spirit. We recognize Jesus as our teacher and authority. We submit ourselves to the two greatest commandments—loving God and loving our neighbor.
We practice hospitality, charity and generosity of love in word & deed to one another and neighbor, especially “the least of these”.
We are open and seek encouragement and correction by one another and other trusted counsel (local church, mentors, friends, family) as done with grace and truth, rooted in the Word of God. We are humble learners from those outside of our communities of faith.
We obey Christ’s command to “make disciples” and offer opportunities for others to follow Christ and grow in a fruitful relationship abiding in Him.
4. Cultural Generosity. (Express)
We want to contribute to the culture(s) we find ourselves in with creative & cultural generosity.
Functional “Norms”
Proximity – We commit to live within 1 mile of one another in order to more easily share life with one another as well as share a common neighborhood.
Planning - We will gather as a collective for at least one full day in August to pray & plan initiatives for the upcoming year. At this time we will commit to roles within the collective.
Prayer — Sometimes scheduled, sometimes not… highly suggested, not mandatory even when scheduled. The Collective will seek to collaborate on hosting an overnight annual prayer retreat with one another, inviting others.
Relationships — We do not allow ourselves to be alone with a new neighbor in the house. As relationships develop, community members’ discernment is respected, but aloneness with a male/female (respectively) neighbor is strongly discouraged.
Guests — As a general rule, we invite anyone to visit anytime. Any overnight visits (male or female) are decided as a house with prior notice to housemates. The length of stay may be decided per house, but a recommendation of 3 days max is suggested for same sex guests.
Family Dinner Groups— Mandatory, weekly on Thursday nights. This is a scheduled dinner time for the houses to check-in with one another and be together. Notice of member’s inability to make a family dinner is by Monday of that week. Each week there will be a time set aside for announcements of community activities, Fireseed events, etc. Community members often share meals together outside this scheduled time.
House Meetings—Mandatory monthly, designed to connect with information, dates, ideas, struggles and household communication.
Story nights – Story-telling for the purpose of informal discovery of God’s story and sharing/discovering one’s own while creating a welcoming community. This is a place to invite neighbors, co-workers, friends, etc.
Cultural Generosity – We seek to encourage one another’s creative expression. As a collective we will host at least one creative collaborative effort or event per year that contributes with creative excellence to a culture we find ourselves in.
Mid-Semester Evaluation – An outlet for communication and areas of improvement for our community. Email evaluation and discussed as a family/community at family dinner. (October & March)
Sabbath — Time of rest and/or reflection and/or playing… done sporadically during the week as individuals and as a family. One day is also set aside as a Sabbath, typically Sunday. No community meetings, work, activities planned.
Emergency — Must be willing to be flexible and sacrifice when there are special needs requiring a meeting, discussion, or simply bonding.
Alcohol — We recognize the implications of buying and using alcohol. Alcohol consumption will be discussed as each house meets. We do not supply/buy alcohol for neighbors at this time.
Drugs — No illegal substances are allowed in the house under any circumstance.
Vecinos = neighbor. Staring in a few weeks a few friends of Fireseed are starting up an after school art program at Ortega Elementary. Wednesday afternoons from 3-4pm, 4th and 5th graders will be creating a mural that celebrates the rich history of the neighborhood.
