Post Info // super fun stuff.
The Four Spaces of Belonging
This is my summary of Myers‘ four spaces of belonging…
My Description of these Spaces as taken from the book:
Public (12 ft. +)
- Give us a safe place to be known and accepted and find belonging.
Social (4 – 12 ft)
- Snapshots of who we are
- Safe selection for us to decide who we would like to grow a “deeper” with relationship
- Allow us to share an authentic definition of who we are.
Personal (18 inches – 4 ft)
- Sharing of Private Information
- Close Friends
Intimate (0 – 18 inches)
- “Naked yet unashamed”
- One person can only have a few of these
“All belonging is significant. Healthy community – the goal of humankind has sought since the beginning – is achieved when we hold harmonious connections within all four spaces. Harmony means more public belongings that social. More social than personal. And very few intimate.” (p. 51)
Gerald said...
102/2/05 1:57 PM | Comment Link |
This sounds right, and speaks to my own concern about mega churches. The only occasion for community in mega churches is often either very macro or very micro. But that misses out on a whole host of relationships that need not be personal, but must be more than merely walking past each other in the hall. The samll group mentality of mega churches runs the danger of isolating each demographic and denying a wholistic sense of community. The young need the old and vice versa.
Todd said...
202/2/05 1:57 PM | Comment Link |
gerald, i agree. one of the problems is forcing people into spaces where they aren’t ready to go. when there are only two options (public - with LITTLE connection and private/intimate) like there are in most churches, we neglect the belonging needs of so many people. we are working really hard at the well to create authentic and accessible spaces on all four levels. this is a challange in our day and age…