Jesus in the Third Space
Third Space Initiatives
www.thirdspaceministries.com
www.thirdplaceministry.com
www.thirdspaceinitiative.com
We are drawn to spaces where we can relax, be ourselves, be accepted, happy and heard. For many, the home (first space) is more a place of isolation/insulation than connection and conversation. Work (second space) revolves around performance and production, not a place for authentic relationships. Home-life and work-life don't fill the relational voids. That's why we create groups, clubs, pubs, teams, and associations (third space).
Third Spaces are places that, “facilitate regular, happily anticipated, informal gatherings beyond the realm of home and work.” Ray Oldenburg, The Great Good Place, p. 16. Third space makes a person feel better socially, emotionally, and often physically (health clubs, nature/hiking clubs, etc.).
Opportunities
A tremendous door is open for Christ to be experienced within third spaces. He can be seen in the lives of His followers, as they live out their faith by loving others well, sharing Christ naturally with friends.
One Example
Timothy and Melissa Moore have a small horse ranch north of Seattle, Washington. They are members of the local, horse-riding club in the town of Sedro Woolley, WA. The Moores volunteer to make their club and community rodeo a stellar experience for participants. The riding club has around two hundred members and the community rodeo draws about four thousand people each year. Through riding groups, outdoor activities, weekly meetings, and campfire conversations over a thousand people have made decisions to follow Christ in about three years. The Moores have equipped others to do what they have done. As a result, four weekly worship gatherings have been launched. These gatherings are relaxed and relational 'third space' experiences as well.
Third Space Movement
Everyone has third space. Imagine committed Christ-followers serving and shining in their third space. Others see Christ in them (Matthew 5:16) and they share Him naturally. Others ask about their faith, because their good works have earned curiosity (1 Peter 3:15).
Earning the 'Ask'
*Third Space Theory is a sociological concept developed by Homi K. Bhabha, a Harvard professor and critical scholar. Building on this theory, sociologist Ray Oldenburg wrote the book ‘The Great Good Place’ emphasizing the importance of third spaces to human psychological support and societal health.
www.thirdspaceministries.com
www.thirdplaceministry.com
www.thirdspaceinitiative.com
We are drawn to spaces where we can relax, be ourselves, be accepted, happy and heard. For many, the home (first space) is more a place of isolation/insulation than connection and conversation. Work (second space) revolves around performance and production, not a place for authentic relationships. Home-life and work-life don't fill the relational voids. That's why we create groups, clubs, pubs, teams, and associations (third space).
Third Spaces are places that, “facilitate regular, happily anticipated, informal gatherings beyond the realm of home and work.” Ray Oldenburg, The Great Good Place, p. 16. Third space makes a person feel better socially, emotionally, and often physically (health clubs, nature/hiking clubs, etc.).
Opportunities
A tremendous door is open for Christ to be experienced within third spaces. He can be seen in the lives of His followers, as they live out their faith by loving others well, sharing Christ naturally with friends.
One Example
Timothy and Melissa Moore have a small horse ranch north of Seattle, Washington. They are members of the local, horse-riding club in the town of Sedro Woolley, WA. The Moores volunteer to make their club and community rodeo a stellar experience for participants. The riding club has around two hundred members and the community rodeo draws about four thousand people each year. Through riding groups, outdoor activities, weekly meetings, and campfire conversations over a thousand people have made decisions to follow Christ in about three years. The Moores have equipped others to do what they have done. As a result, four weekly worship gatherings have been launched. These gatherings are relaxed and relational 'third space' experiences as well.
Third Space Movement
Everyone has third space. Imagine committed Christ-followers serving and shining in their third space. Others see Christ in them (Matthew 5:16) and they share Him naturally. Others ask about their faith, because their good works have earned curiosity (1 Peter 3:15).
Earning the 'Ask'
*Third Space Theory is a sociological concept developed by Homi K. Bhabha, a Harvard professor and critical scholar. Building on this theory, sociologist Ray Oldenburg wrote the book ‘The Great Good Place’ emphasizing the importance of third spaces to human psychological support and societal health.
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