The Four Spaces of Belonging

I've recently been finding a great deal of helpful information about church planting in Phil Potter's book, The Challenge of Change - A Guide to Shaping Change and Changing the Shape of Church. I'm sure there'll be more posts about this book and what Phil and his church are doing in the UK, but for now I just wanted to post something that's been especially helpful for us as we think about how our church will look....

In one of the chapters he writes about what he calls "The Four Spaces of Belonging." I think the ideas are from research someone else has done (sorry I'm a bit vague on the details - I borrowed the book from my father-in-law and he's taken it back), about the different places that people find a sense of belonging. And here they are....

First there is the Public Space. This is a large scale shared experience, where you feel you are part of a great number of people on the same wavelength, but you are still free to remain anonymous if you choose. E.g. A shared worship experience in a big church, a footy game, a movie theatre.

Next is Social Space. This is where we cluster around a common interest or focus (e.g. a BBQ, local pub, workplace, party or function). Here you connect on a superficial level, sharing snapshots of yourself - who I am, what I enjoy, where I live, where I work... This is a natural space to be introduced to new people, ideas, invites - a great springboard to the other spaces.

A little more intimate is our Personal Space. This is a smaller group of our friends and family, close work colleagues, home group, etc. Here we know each other well and share more privately, reflect together on faith, share our lives, pray for one another, care for one another. Jesus had this connection with his twelve disciples.

And finally there is our Intimate Space. This is only shared with a few people - our spouse and one or two close friends. These people know us as we really are - the good and the ugly. In this space we can be "naked and not ashamed." We feel safe and secure to share the naked truth about ourselves, what we think, what we struggle with - the deepest parts of ourselves. Jesus shared some things only with his closest friends - Peter, James and John.