Living Together in a World Falling Apart

Book excerpt: LIVING TOGETHER IN A WORLD FALLING APART The classic "handbook on Christian community," with updated reflections By Dave and Neta Jackson When LIVING TOGETHER IN A WORLD FALLING APART was first published in 1974, tensions in society-an unpopular war, racial divisions, fearful economics, the seeming futility of "success," and widespread alienation-were not addressed in most churches. Racism still thrived, worship meant three hymns and you're out, and relationships had deteriorated to weekly handshakes. But many believed-based on New Testament descriptions of the early church-that this couldn't be all God planned for his people. These restless souls eagerly read about Dave and Neta Jackson's personal search as they experimented with household living and took a road trip visiting the crop of emerging Christian communities around the country. Written in a breezy, candid manner, LIVING TOGETHER became not only a bestseller and classic "handbook on Christian community," but provided perhaps the only sociological snapshot of the many Christian communities from that era. Now, because many conditions in church and society are repeating themselves, interest in Christian community is reviving-whether through small groups, house churches, the emerging church movement, the new monasticism, or among Christians experimenting with communal living as a way to be more faithful, effective, and connected. This updated edition contains the original text of LIVING TOGETHER as well as many of the Jacksons' personal reflections and evaluations after living in Christian community for over 25 years, thereby providing nearly 30 percent new material.