Living in Households

In each of our communities, there are one or more houses in a cluster, some in cities and some on farms. Several families and single people live together in each house, according to the size of the house. We like large houses because we like to live together. Married couples have their own rooms, plus as many adjacent rooms as needed for their children. The single men share one or more rooms, as do the single women. We all share a common kitchen and dining room, where we take our meals together. Those who visit are welcomed into the center of our life together.

We  actually live together like an extended family, sharing all things in common, just as the first disciples did in the first century.

The Bible plainly says regarding the first church, "All who believed were together and shared all things in common" (Acts 2:44). It goes on to describe how they were of one heart and soul, and that there was not a needy person among them, for they gave up all their possessions to meet the needs of their spiritual
brothers and sisters (Acts 4:32-35).

Some people say this was only for back then, but we've been living this way for over 40 years. You can come and see for yourself

www.twelvetribes.org

Gathering Daily

We gather in our houses every morning and evening to worship our Creator in song and dance. We are all free to speak from our hearts the things we are learning, as our Creator teaches us through one another, according to the gifting and grace given to each person.

Working Together

After our morning gathering we have breakfast together and then go to work in our various places, doing the deeds prepared for each one of us. We work together in our own cafés, farms, cottage industries, and
trades, not as independent contractors or employees of outside companies. All income from our various endeavors goes into a common purse from which all of our needs are met equitably. We don't have our own
independent income or debts to carry by ourselves, except for the debt of love we owe to our Savior, which we repay by loving and caring for one another.

Our Agricultural Nation

For the most part our farms are small-scale operations, places where we can work together. We mainly grow food for ourselves and sometimes sell our produce at our own farm-stands or farm stores, as well as local farmer's markets. We also make "value-added" products in our "cottage industries." All of the income from our various endeavors goes into a common purse, from which all our needs are met. We don't have our independent income, or debts to carry by ourselves, except for the debt of love we owe to our Savior, which we repay by loving and caring for one another.Our farms are sanctuaries... a safe haven... a peaceful refuge... an anchor for the soul in the midst of a society drifting dangerously off course. Our farms are a wonderful environment for us to raise our children. Here, they are able to to grow up and witness the wonders of Creation, as well as being a part of it: participating in caring for plants and animals, as well as experiencing first hand many of the age-old truths which are being lost in our current society, such as "You reap what you sow," or "Diligence is a man's precious possession." In this way the training of our children goes far beyond the classroom, as they are fully integrated into every aspect of our socially and spiritually rich tribal life. They learn to cook and sew, build and farm, sing and dance, play musical instruments, and most importantly, extend hospitality to the constant flow of guests who are drawn to the light of our life of love.