The Third Rule
The Third Rule is a set of statements about identity, calling, commitment, and expectations that can be adopted for a year or longer. It is intended to provide a way to live out the purposes and values of AHOP in a more focused way, while still having a full-time occupation such as student, youth pastor, homemaker, or bread winner.
Text of the Third Rule
I make before God, my pastor and AHOP leadership the following statements of my intentions, understanding that walking them out, even imperfectly, depends on the grace of God, the goodwill of my church & pastor, and the patience of other members of the AHOP Community.
Identity
I am ultimately defined not by what I do but by who God says I am.
Calling
I have been called by God to work hard and make an impact in the world.
Commitments
God has given me the power and privilege of freely & cheerfully choosing to commit.
Expectations
God never asks for sacrifices without promising rewards.
Identity
I am ultimately defined not by what I do but by who God says I am.
- I am God’s beloved.
- I am a member of the Body of Christ.
Calling
I have been called by God to work hard and make an impact in the world.
- I know I am called to prayer.
- I know I am called to reconciliation.
Commitments
God has given me the power and privilege of freely & cheerfully choosing to commit.
- I commit to be a follower of Jesus.
- I commit to be an active member of a local church.
- I commit to lead at least one weekly prayer session in the AHOP prayer room.
- I commit to involve myself actively in reconciliation in the city of Austin.
- I commit to attend monthly AHOP community meetings.
- I commit to volunteer at AHOP.
- I commit to openness and accountability to my pastor, AHOP leaders, and fellow community members.
Expectations
God never asks for sacrifices without promising rewards.
- I expect rewards directly from God.
- I expect to have my commitment known to the AHOP Community.
- I expect to receive a symbol of my commitment.
- I expect to earn the trust of other community members.
- I expect to participate in the annual AHOP retreat.
- I expect intimacy in prayer.
- I expect to see impact in the city of Austin.
- I expect joy.
- I expect suffering & transformation.
- I expect the gift of a focused life.
FAQ about The Third Rule
Why “Rule”?
Throughout the history of the church to the present day, communities of believers who have found themselves with a common call and mandate have formed orders, monasteries, convents, and similar institutions. While these communities have differed in many aspects such as the location, time, focus, and origin, one thing they have held in common has been “the rule” – a common commitment that members adopted upon joining the community. The characteristics of good rules are that they are simple, practical, and inspiring. Examples of communities who have lived by a rule include the Franciscans, who from the 13th century until today have devoted themselves to simplicity of life and good works to the poor; the Moravians, who in the 18th century gave themselves to continuous prayer and missionary activities; and the present day community of Taizé, dedicated to reconciliation, prayer, and serving youth throughout the world. While these communities have most often been Catholic, currently there is a resurgence in the Protestant world as well (see, for example, www.newmonasticism.org), which was famously predicted by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (who wrote, “...the restoration of the church will surely come only from a new type of monasticism which has nothing in common with the old but a complete lack of compromise in a life lived in accordance with the Sermon on the Mount in the discipleship of Christ. I think it is time to gather people together to do this...”).
Why “Third”?
This concept is drawn from the monastic tradition throughout the life of the church. Many monastic orders have three levels of commitment, signified by 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Typically the 3rd order is comprised of lay people who live out the ideals of the community in the wider world, adhering to a rule that does not have all the 1st- and 2nd-order vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
Is there a First and/or Second Rule at AHOP?
Not yet. We have thoughts that eventually there will be a Second Rule adopted by those who commit intensively for one or two years to prayer, work, community, & hospitality. And also thoughts that some day the First Rule will consist of those who make a longer term commitment – many years at a time. So though it may seem like working backwards to establish the “Third” rule first, the advantage of doing so is that it is a lighter commitment, thus the easiest to both define and say yes to.
Is there a Fourth Rule at AHOP?
Actually, there is, though it is not well publicized and has not ever been called such. Early on in the life of AHOP a document called “The AHOP Rule” was signed by all prayer leaders. This is effectively the Fourth Rule, and will likely be resurrected as such soon, for all prayer leaders, because it’s really good! (The text follows at the end of this document).
Does the “Third Rule” now define what it means to be an “AHOP Community Member”?
No. The AHOP Community will continue to be a fluid, voluntary group of Christians praying towards reconciliation. There is no formal definition of “Membership” in the AHOP Community – some people have their name on the prayer board (may there be more!), some people give time, talents, or treasure (may there be more!), some people show up only occasionally at community meetings or prayer times, and some people engage intensely for a while then drop out of sight for a while. This will not change.
So, what is the relationship of the AHOP Third Rule to the AHOP Community as a whole?
Those who adopt the AHOP Third Rule are a subset of AHOP Community Members. They were and still are members of the AHOP Community, and will be if they choose not to readopt the rule a year later. They simply have chosen to make a specific set of commitments for a specific period of time.
Why is the AHOP Third Rule being defined at all?
The Third Rule offers an opportunity for deeper and more focused service to those who are hungry to give themselves more fully to prayer & reconciliation. It is often helpful to have a structure to define such a commitment, as well as an understanding for what to expect as a result. It makes the commitment “more real,” as an act of faith that God can take and use.
How do I adopt the AHOP Third Rule?
There are four steps each year. First, you either present yourself as a candidate or are presented by someone else. This is done simply by putting name & contact information on a slip of paper and dropping it into the “Third Rule Candidates” box outside the prayer room. The opportunity to do this will typically be from New Years to Ash Wednesday. Second, you will undergo a process of discernment, in which the AHOP Leadership works with you to discern whether this is a right and good step for you and for AHOP. The right answer is not necessarily “Yes,” even if you strongly desire to adopt the Third Rule! This process of discernment will be completed by Easter. Third, you will meet with the AHOP Leadership and your pastor – without your pastor’s blessing, you should not adopt the Rule. This will take place before Ascension Thursday. Fourth, on Ascension Thursday, you will have an opportunity to adopt the Third Rule during a prayer service at AHOP.
What are the dates for 2007?
Note, this schedule will be a little compressed for 2007, because the Rule and process are being defined, and Ash Wednesday has already passed! So this year the time of candidacy will be until March 16, and the time of discernment and discussion with your pastor will be combined and last through May 17.
Is this a lifetime commitment?
No. It is a commitment for about a calendar year – from Ascension Thursday of one year to Ascension Thursday of the next year. For example, for 2007-2008 it would be May 27, 2007 through May 1, 2008.
What if I am married or engaged?
Married and engaged couples adopt the Third Rule as one. This means several things. First, if one spouse is not in agreement, the other cannot adopt the rule. Second, all responsibilities can be fulfilled by one or the other spouse. For one example, one spouse might do the prayer time, the other do the active involvement in reconciliation. For another example, only one spouse might attend the community meeting. This is not to limit both spouses from doing everything, but to honor the unity of a married couple and give them freedom to not have all of their precious family time taken up. As a community praying toward reconciliation, the last thing we want to do is to cause division in marriage relationships!
Throughout the history of the church to the present day, communities of believers who have found themselves with a common call and mandate have formed orders, monasteries, convents, and similar institutions. While these communities have differed in many aspects such as the location, time, focus, and origin, one thing they have held in common has been “the rule” – a common commitment that members adopted upon joining the community. The characteristics of good rules are that they are simple, practical, and inspiring. Examples of communities who have lived by a rule include the Franciscans, who from the 13th century until today have devoted themselves to simplicity of life and good works to the poor; the Moravians, who in the 18th century gave themselves to continuous prayer and missionary activities; and the present day community of Taizé, dedicated to reconciliation, prayer, and serving youth throughout the world. While these communities have most often been Catholic, currently there is a resurgence in the Protestant world as well (see, for example, www.newmonasticism.org), which was famously predicted by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (who wrote, “...the restoration of the church will surely come only from a new type of monasticism which has nothing in common with the old but a complete lack of compromise in a life lived in accordance with the Sermon on the Mount in the discipleship of Christ. I think it is time to gather people together to do this...”).
Why “Third”?
This concept is drawn from the monastic tradition throughout the life of the church. Many monastic orders have three levels of commitment, signified by 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Typically the 3rd order is comprised of lay people who live out the ideals of the community in the wider world, adhering to a rule that does not have all the 1st- and 2nd-order vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
Is there a First and/or Second Rule at AHOP?
Not yet. We have thoughts that eventually there will be a Second Rule adopted by those who commit intensively for one or two years to prayer, work, community, & hospitality. And also thoughts that some day the First Rule will consist of those who make a longer term commitment – many years at a time. So though it may seem like working backwards to establish the “Third” rule first, the advantage of doing so is that it is a lighter commitment, thus the easiest to both define and say yes to.
Is there a Fourth Rule at AHOP?
Actually, there is, though it is not well publicized and has not ever been called such. Early on in the life of AHOP a document called “The AHOP Rule” was signed by all prayer leaders. This is effectively the Fourth Rule, and will likely be resurrected as such soon, for all prayer leaders, because it’s really good! (The text follows at the end of this document).
Does the “Third Rule” now define what it means to be an “AHOP Community Member”?
No. The AHOP Community will continue to be a fluid, voluntary group of Christians praying towards reconciliation. There is no formal definition of “Membership” in the AHOP Community – some people have their name on the prayer board (may there be more!), some people give time, talents, or treasure (may there be more!), some people show up only occasionally at community meetings or prayer times, and some people engage intensely for a while then drop out of sight for a while. This will not change.
So, what is the relationship of the AHOP Third Rule to the AHOP Community as a whole?
Those who adopt the AHOP Third Rule are a subset of AHOP Community Members. They were and still are members of the AHOP Community, and will be if they choose not to readopt the rule a year later. They simply have chosen to make a specific set of commitments for a specific period of time.
Why is the AHOP Third Rule being defined at all?
The Third Rule offers an opportunity for deeper and more focused service to those who are hungry to give themselves more fully to prayer & reconciliation. It is often helpful to have a structure to define such a commitment, as well as an understanding for what to expect as a result. It makes the commitment “more real,” as an act of faith that God can take and use.
How do I adopt the AHOP Third Rule?
There are four steps each year. First, you either present yourself as a candidate or are presented by someone else. This is done simply by putting name & contact information on a slip of paper and dropping it into the “Third Rule Candidates” box outside the prayer room. The opportunity to do this will typically be from New Years to Ash Wednesday. Second, you will undergo a process of discernment, in which the AHOP Leadership works with you to discern whether this is a right and good step for you and for AHOP. The right answer is not necessarily “Yes,” even if you strongly desire to adopt the Third Rule! This process of discernment will be completed by Easter. Third, you will meet with the AHOP Leadership and your pastor – without your pastor’s blessing, you should not adopt the Rule. This will take place before Ascension Thursday. Fourth, on Ascension Thursday, you will have an opportunity to adopt the Third Rule during a prayer service at AHOP.
What are the dates for 2007?
Note, this schedule will be a little compressed for 2007, because the Rule and process are being defined, and Ash Wednesday has already passed! So this year the time of candidacy will be until March 16, and the time of discernment and discussion with your pastor will be combined and last through May 17.
Is this a lifetime commitment?
No. It is a commitment for about a calendar year – from Ascension Thursday of one year to Ascension Thursday of the next year. For example, for 2007-2008 it would be May 27, 2007 through May 1, 2008.
What if I am married or engaged?
Married and engaged couples adopt the Third Rule as one. This means several things. First, if one spouse is not in agreement, the other cannot adopt the rule. Second, all responsibilities can be fulfilled by one or the other spouse. For one example, one spouse might do the prayer time, the other do the active involvement in reconciliation. For another example, only one spouse might attend the community meeting. This is not to limit both spouses from doing everything, but to honor the unity of a married couple and give them freedom to not have all of their precious family time taken up. As a community praying toward reconciliation, the last thing we want to do is to cause division in marriage relationships!