The Vow of Stability
As I began to explore the monastic life and the ancient traditions, I have discovered that vows are an important part of following Jesus. In the Benedictine rule the followers take the vow of poverty, chastity, obedience, and stability. The “vow of stability” is a commitment to live in a particular monastic community for life. In a world of constant change and a culture that admires change, it is difficult to comprehend the meaning of stability. The Pentecostal churches I was a part of valued change more than stability. Stability was often equated to tradition, which led to legalism which was to be avoided at all costs. Change was an indicator of the Holy Spirit’s work, and we did everything possible to avoid putting new wine into old wine skins.
Instability is a pandemic in our culture, and it has harmed our families, our communities, our churches, and our relationships. Almost no one stays anywhere for very long. The idea of a “hometown” is wishful thinking or a mere euphemism for the “town of ones birth.” Most neighborhoods are filled with people who barely know each other and who seldom stay long in one place. Perhaps we need to consider a vow of stability because it is a sharp contrast to the fragility of our hypermodern society’s difficulty to commit, remain, and be present. It is difficult to know the church’s mission and discern innovative ways to be faithful to our church’s calling if we won’t slow down and stay longer.
The kind of stability that we seek as people of faith is content with what God has given. It is not always restlessly seeking a more ideal setting. When we stay longer, we can learn to discern God’s will together and discern ways to be Christian disciples. Set down roots in the community where you minister, eat what is set before you, and develop the deep relationships that are necessary for the proclamation of the Gospel. After all we are not our own. we belong to God, and to the places and people God has given us.
We vow to remain all our life with our local community. We live together, pray together, work together, relax together. We give up the temptation to move from place to place in search of an ideal situation. Ultimately there is no escape from oneself, and the idea that things would be better someplace else is usually an illusion. And when interpersonal conflicts arise, we have a great incentive to work things out and restore peace. This means learning the practices of love: acknowledging one’s own offensive behavior, giving up one’s preferences, forgiving. – Our Lady of the Mississippi Valley
Stephen Hanscom
Stephen pastors Divine Life church with his wife Karen. He has a love hate relationship with running and obsesses over keeping his fescue yard alive during the Oklahoma summer.