I keep changing the perimeters for the "last post" on community, but I believe I have helpful hints for those who are able to create pods and community.
See previous posts with tag.
Several new points...
1) When I was in community all those years, those who were in charge exhibited these characteristics-and they were all lay people, remember: a) their marriages were strong and in order; b) they were completely orthodox and not heretical or schismatic in intent; c) their kids were "in order" and all practicing.
2) A maturity of spirit was sought by each person; in other words, each person wanted to be holy, and serve God, which is why they were in the community.
3) There were common goals, such as the building of the community and the maintaining of it. Community came first, families second, and this ideal brought many, many extended families into the community.
4) Marriages came out of the community. Young people had common goals and common way thinking like Catholics.
5) Most of us knew how to live in large families and sharing was not hard.
6) Egos were set aside; no one could have their way of doing something but a common way.
7) Consumerism was not an issue. Eating, dressing and maintaing lovely homes were simplified on purpose.
I am beginning to think that the lack of family life in the past two generations-Gen X and Millennial, contribute to the problem of starting communities.