I recently finished reading “The Cotton Patch Evidence,” by Dallas Lee. It’s part biography of Clarence Jordan and part history of Koinonia Farm until Clarence’s death in 1969. Reading all those pithy, scathing quotes by Jordan is well worth the price of this definitive chronicle of Koinonia.

The greatest gift of reading the book was learning just how difficult living Christian community can be. I think I’d always idealized Jordan and Koinonia…but, in many respects, the Christian community Clarence had envisioned never actually happened. There was even a point at which the community and Clarence and Florence considered parting ways.

The vision of community Jesus invites us to just isn’t easy live out. We’re so set on our individualism, on hierarchies…living as true equals takes a lot of imagination…a lot. I sometimes wonder if we well-meaning, but individualistic Americans can do it.

There’s so much more to this book. One blog post isn’t going to do it justice. So here’s an idea…

Beginning in September (sometime around the 7th or 8th), I’m going to be reflecting on “The Cotton Patch Evidence” one chapter at a time. If you’d like, check in, see my thoughts about the book, and share your own.

Peace for the journey,