Levels of involvement with the New Benedictine Community

What does it mean to be a member of an intentional Christian Community? Here are the ways that people come to get to know us and we them.

1. Inquirer:

Those who are curious or interested in getting to know the community who interact from time to time. Seeking to learn about Christian discipleship in the context of the New Benedictine Community and by sharing our weekly prayers and activities from time to time. After some time they may or may not chose to come closer to the community.  

Those who are interested in being Inquirers are invited to give a letter of introduction of themselves to the community, their interests, motives, and their attraction to the NBC so that we can get to know them better and become personally involved in making them feel welcome and offer support.  
2. Companions of the New Benedictine Community (active participants)

Companions of the community are those who know the community after some time participating in its activities and are currently active in the community on a regular basis. They are active companions alongside more committed and professed members

During their time as companions they may chose to do some very specific reading that we can recommend on Benedictine Life, on New Monasticism and Spiritual Formation.  
One may be a Companion for as long as one feels called or also a person professed may chose to return to Companion status for personal reasons, illness, or change of relationship with the community To move from Inquirer to Companion one is asked to submit a letter of admission as a Companion to the Community leadership.  

One may renew their Companionship every year within the Community.  
3. Novice Members (those discerning a call to commit) 

Novices are those seriously testing a call to membership in the community. This is for a year, which can be extended if needed or just revert to Companion member status which is open ended. Any Companion who feels they have had sufficient time to look at and share time with the community may apply for Novice status after 6 months as a Companion of the Community. Novices should submit a letter of admission as a Novice in the Community. Novices are then assigned a companion or guide to walk with them in their discernment and formation as Novices. Novices are normally welcomed into the Community each year during Renewal of Vows. Exceptions may be made.  
4. Professed Members

Are those “Committing to all practices and disciplines of the community for 3-5 years or until God calls elsewhere, which is discerned in unity with the local body. Professed members make regular renewal of vows each year until they discern a change to life professed or may chose to return to being a Companion or remain just professed.  

Only Novices who have completed a time of discernment of normally a year’s time may be received as a professed member of the community. Professed members are regular participants in the weekly prayers and offices, and regular participants in the monthly meetings and are active in sharing their time, talent and treasure to the community and its mission and ministry.  
5. Life professed members 

Are those “Committing to all practices and disciplines of the community. Covenant membership is for life, or until God calls elsewhere, which will be discerned in unity with the local body.” Only Members who have completed a 3-5 year period of discernment and active involvement in the Community may become Life Professed. If at any time they chose to change their status they are asked to discern those changes with the leadership of the community. To be accepted as life professed one is asked to submit a letter of intention and interest to be accepted by the Community.  
Life time professed members are regular participants in the weekly prayers and offices, and regular participants in the monthly meetings and are active in sharing their time, talent and treasure to the community and its mission and ministry.  
This Is in accord or agreement with the Rule of Saint Benedict. as we profess it and live it out.