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Christianity Today, October, 2007 |

The Good Shepherds

A small but vigorous movement believes that in farming is the preservation of the world.

Rob Moll | posted 10/25/2007 09:20AM

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The Lehrers have extended their farm family through their knitting business. The wool from their sheep goes to Esther's Place Fibers, the shop started by the Lehrers' daughter, Natasha. She teaches knitting classes, sells yarn, and demonstrates traditional knitting techniques. It's part of Donna's dream to revive Illinois's sheep industry. Esther's Place purchases as much local wool as they can, and Donna works hard to share her knowledge and strategies with the state's other shepherds.

The Lehrers view their customers as their mission field. Scott points out the growing interest in organic produce. "There are so many people from all walks of life being drawn to healthier foods," Scott says. "It gives us an opportunity to talk about what Christ has done in our lives."

Rob Moll is a CT associate editor.

Related Elsewhere:

Esther's Place and Lamb of God Farm offer classes.

Lamb of God farm is part of FamilyFarmed.org.

A number of Christian agrarians blog at The Deliberate Agrarian, Homesteader Life, A Process Driven Life, An Emergent Agrarian, Acres of Hope, Ante Family Agrarians, Date-Dabitur, First Farmer Institute, Tabletop Homestead, and more.

Eric Miller wrote for Christianity Today about Christian Agrarians and Wendell Berry's vision.

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October 2007, Vol. 51, No. 10

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Sam	Posted: October 28, 2007 11:53 PM

Wow, what a way to diss on the hippies. I guess before when the hippies were calling foul, trying to get people to see how important it was to work with Mother Nature... that's why the Christians stuck up their nose? But now that Joe has co-opted organic from the dirty hippies it's okay again? I'm sure I'd be more welcome in a rural setting than in the Christian world. While I'm glad Christians are becoming enlightened, I'm unimpressed with the holier-than-thou us versus them attitude. Just a shame. What's sad is if we'd been listened to, rather than dismissed or run off for the idea of what we are, then maybe there wouldn't be such a mess. Nice illustration of cutting your nose off to spite your face. There's lessons to be learned here. Let's hope God opens your eyes and ears so you can see and hear, but most of all opens your minds so you can actually take it all in. Welcome back from insanity. We have a LOT of work to do.

James

Posted: October 27, 2007 7:12 AM

I'm so glad to see Christianity Today has noticed the growing Christian agrarianism. There is a wonderfully endearing book about this movement of the Lord that was published last year. It is titled, "Writings of a Deliberate Agrarian," by Herrick Kimball (his blog is linked at the end of the article). Here's a quote from the back cover: "In response to the myriad ills of our industrialized culture, a growing contingent of dedicated believers is taking steps to restructure and refocus their lives. They are going back to God's original mandate: back to the garden, back to simplicity, back to self-reliance, back to family, back to community, back to the basics of the faith. These are the Christian agrarians... With a newfound respect for the past, and assured hope in the future, these new Christian pioneers are reforging the old paths and embracing the virtuers found only in the agrarian way of life. In the current age, their countercultural beliefs are nothing short of revolutionary."

Ron	Posted: October 26, 2007 9:15 PM

I think the real question is if God's children are listening for their calling or not? Are you knocking? Are you asking? Or could you care less; continuing down the path of fear, pride or willfulness that you are on? The Lerher family appear pleased with the direction they feel they are being lend and also appear to be going out of the box that life has dealt them. God Bless them! So where are you headed? I also like that this is a bottoms up "movement". Grassroots. If this was a top down movement I'd say it was about time to jump ship. Organizations have a terrible time being inspired because they are dead things while people are living souls. They can adapt much better and don't get caught up with red tape as long as they unplug their ears and open their eyes. Maybe we are done being naughty little children! With the average farmer over 70 years old and the economy as crazy it is I'm grateful someone is taking on the field of husbandry. I saw no "earth worship" practices mentione

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