Following the pattern of the earliest Christians, many full-time Family members have successfully maintained a cooperative lifestyle since the founding of the Family International in 1968, sharing material possessions, resources, and responsibilities. This economical and communal way of life has served to enhance our members’ efforts and has played an important part in the furtherance of our work.

Family International communities are self-governing and financially independent. Members are responsible to secure the financial support necessary for their community as well as their particular mission and social welfare projects.

While cooperative households have played an important role in the Family International’s history and development, members may or may not choose to participate in a cooperative household.