Spaces Thinking and Growing Bridgeway

1
Spaces Thinking and Growing Bridgeway

• Joseph R Myers
• The Search to Belong

2
Proxemics

• Edward T Hall in the 60s developed a theory
  based on the relationship between space and
  culture
• Hall coined the term proxemics for how we as
  humans use space and build communities
• He concluded that there are four spaces we use to
  develop personalities, cultures and communication

3
The Four Spaces

• Public we share a common experience and connect
  through an outside influence
• Social we share an authentic snapshot of who
  we are, that shows what it would like to have a
  personal relationship with us
• Personal we share private experiences, thoughts
  and feelings
• Intimate we share naked information about who
  we are and are not ashamed

4
Space Reference Distance

• Public 12 feet
• Social 4 - 12 feet
• Personal 18 inches - 4 feet
• Intimate 0 -18 inches

5
Parallels of Space OT/NT

• Public - Temple festivals - Jesus the
  multitudes
• Social - synagogue - Jesus and the 72 parties
• Personal - family devotional life - Jesus and
  the 12
• Intimate - husband and wife (S.of S.) - Jesus
  with John, James and Peter

6
Parallels of Space in Church

• Public Celebration
• Social House Church
• Personal D Group
• Intimate Accountability Partner(s)

7
Focus for Each Size

• Celebration inspiration teaching
  momentum
• House Church mission community training
• D-Group closeness support challenge
• Accountability total transparency total
  safety

8
What Does This Mean Practically?

• Aim for the right outcomes for the right group
• Act up when a group grows from one space to
  another
• Value all four spaces as places of belonging
• How do we redeem all four spaces?