Protestant Monks

The Boston Globe had an interesting article on Sunday with the title "The unexpected monks." The author, Molly Worthen, writes,

There is now a growing movement to revive evangelicalism by reclaiming parts of Roman Catholic tradition--including monasticism. Some 100 groups that describe themselves as both evangelical and monastic have sprung up in North America...many have appeared within the past five years. Increasing numbers of evangelical congregations have struck up friendships with Catholic monasteries, sending church members to join the monks for spiritual retreats.

I have noticed this phenomenon among mainline protestants as well. I think the Protestant reassessment of monasticism is a good thing, and that tailoring it to our own traditions of worshiping and serving God is positive. I think that I first was introduced to Protestants going on retreats at monasteries some 15 to 20 years ago. Kathleen Norris' book, The Cloistered Walk, recounted her retreat at a Benedictine monastery and the spiritual growth that she experienced as a result.

I think that much of Protestant spirituality can be like fast food--going to McDonald's--which leaves people with a deeper hunger for something both more nutritious and better tasting. I have read The Rule of St. Benedict a seminal book which was instrumental in reforming and setting the standard for monastery life for much of Christian history. I have benefited from it.

Interestingly, at our UCC Weekend Away, our guest speaker, Scot McKnight, shared his own experience of engaging in what is called "fixed hour prayer" and the positive benefits he has received in his own spiritual life as a result. Fixed hour prayer is using a prayer book like The Divine Hours by Phyllis Tickle or the Book of Common Prayer, and praying in the morning, at noontime, in the evening, and before retiring to bed. It helps create a rhythm to praying, reminding us that we belong to God, which does not rule out our own free form prayers. It is a way of working prayer and love for God into our inner lives, almost by osmosis. I have been practicing fixed hour prayer for about nine months now, and have found it helpful in my own spiritual life.

I wonder what thoughts/experience you have with the new monasticism and with fixed hour prayers.