The Potential Christian Cooperative Movement

The Potential Christian Cooperative Movement Andrew McLeod Northwest Cooperative Development Center Cooperative Innovation Conference Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, May 29, 2007

Christian Cooperatives • There is ample scriptural support for organizing cooperatively • Christians have organized in a variety of cooperative ways • Co-ops provide a way out of stalemate • Some issues to be addressed

All the believers were of one heart and mind, and they felt that what they owned was not their own; they shared everything they had. And the Apostles gave great witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great favor was upon them all. There was no poverty among them, because people who owned land or houses sold them and brought the money to the apostles to give to others in need. (Acts 4:34-35)

There was also a man named Ananias who, with his wife Sapphira, sold some property. He brought part of the money to the apostles but he claimed it was the full amount. His wife had agreed to the deception. Then Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren't lying to us but to God."

As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified. Then some young men wrapped him in a sheet and took him out and buried him. About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, 'Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?'" "Yes, she replied, "that was the price."

And Peter said, "How could the two of you even think of doing a thing like this -- conspiring together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Just outside that door are the young men who buried your husband, and they will carry you out, too." Instantly, she fell to the floor and died. When the young men came in and saw that she was dead, they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear gripped the entire church and all others who heard what had happened. (Acts 5:1-10)

But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. Those who spoke Greek complained against those who spoke Hebrew, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.

So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. “We apostles should spend our time preaching and teaching the word of God, not administering a food program,” they said. “Now look around among yourselves, brothers, and select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. We will put them in charge of this business. Then we can spend our time in prayer and preaching and teaching the word." (Acts 6:1-4)

“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the fault. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If that person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. If the church decides you are right, but the other person won’t accept it, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector. I tell you this: Whatever you prohibit on earth is prohibited in heaven, and whatever you allow on earth is allowed in heaven.” (Matt. 18:15-18)

“This is not good!” his father-in-law exclaimed. “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle by yourself. Now let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing him their questions to be decided. You should tell them God’s decisions, teach them God’s laws and instructions, and show them how to conduct their lives. But find some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as judges over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty and ten.” (Ex. 18:17-21)

“Do everything they say to you,” the Lord replied, “for it is me they are rejecting, not you. They don’t want me to be their king any longer. Ever since I brought them from Egypt they have continually abandoned me and followed other gods. And now they are giving you the same treatment. Do as they ask, but solemnly warn them about the way a king will reign over them…” But the people refused to listen to Samuel’s warning. “Even so, we still want a king,” they said. “We want to be like the nations around us. Our king will judge us and lead us into battle.” So Samuel repeated to the Lord what the people had said, and the Lord replied, “Do as they say, and give them a king.” Then Samuel agreed and sent the people home. (1 Sam. 8: 7-9, 19-21)

At the meeting I said to them, “The rest of us are doing all we can to redeem our Jewish relatives who have had to sell themselves to pagan foreigners, but you are selling them back into slavery again. How often must we redeem them?” And they had nothing to say in their defense. Then I pressed further, “What you are doing is not right!...Repay the interest you charged on their money, grain, wine and olive oil.” Then they replied, “We will give back everything and demand nothing of the people. We will do as you say” (Neh. 5:8-12)

Organizational Precedents • Desert Fathers • Loose monastic network on edges of empire • Continued as a reaction to state Christianity • Early Communities in US • Utopian in nature, often millenialist • Peaked in 19th Century with 100,000 people • Some remnants remain • Amish & Mennonites have co-op traditions

Recent Developments • Jesus People USA • Founded in 1972 • Chicago-based community of 500 • Nearly self-sufficient with several businesses • New Monastics • Growing network of communities • Distinguished by “12 Marks” • Conducting trainings at established houses

Some Examples in US • Green Field Farms • Community Food Co-op of Utah • Medi-Share • Christian Healthcare Ministry • Home-school co-ops • Numerous Credit Unions • Listed at www.bookofacts.info

Ending the Stalemate • Mondragon shows that cooperatives can limit need for government • Confederazione Cooperativa Italiane shows that multiple co-op systems can coexist to a degree • Taken together, they provide a model for a social order that fits with Biblical values

Obstacles • 1st Cooperative Principle: • open membership regarding religion • 2nd Cooperative Principle: democracy • preference for discerning God’s will • 4th Cooperative Principle: autonomy • holistic view prevents delineation between church and co-op/ministry

Thank you! For more information please visit www.bookofacts.info

The Potential Christian Cooperative Movement