History

Spare Key informally began in the Spring of 2012 when six people gathered at Gailey's Breakfast Cafe to dream about alternative church practices over pancakes and omelets. That fall, four of those friends found themselves living in the same apartment complex and sought out practical ways share life by incorporating their love and passion for community. Inspired by the writings of many authors of the New Monasticism movement such as Shane Claiborne, Jonathan Wilson Hartgrove, Mark Scandrette, Karen Sloan, and numerous others, they decided to begin experimenting with what intentional community could look like for them. 

The group began meeting once a week for a meal, Common Prayer, and a book discussion. This evolved and grew into the current six members and several others who continue to study and develop interest in intentional community. These weekly meetings continued and began happening more than just once a week with informal game nights, bike rides, dinners, yoga classes, fire pits, and porch sitting. 

We are learning about what it means to live intentionally and share life closely with others in an effort to leave the world a better place than we found it.  Spare Key is currently dreaming of what long term intentional community might look like for its members.

Here is a history of the books we have read and discussed together:

• Practicing the Way of Jesus by Mark Scandrette
• The Awakening of Hope by Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove
• 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker
• Sex, Economy, Freedom, and Community by Wendell Berry
• Creating a Life Together by Diana Leafe Christian
• Currently Reading: Sabbath by Dan Allender