4 Spaces
4 Spaces is a framework that teaches Christians how to be intentional in the way they live out their faith.
What if church could be easier? What if everything that we have hoped for actually does exist within the word of God? There has been a passage of scripture that has kept me searching for such a thing.
Matthew 11:28-30
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
4 Spaces was born out desperate search for a concept of church and Christianity as a intentional lifestyle rather than a programmatic check list in a building centric reality.
Can church become a life giving every day lived reality?
Where is your Community?
Discover 4 Spaces
Many stories from the life of Jesus show community done well. Everything from the Wedding at Canaan to the meeting with Zacchaeus. How is this played out within the church today? How is it possible for a person, let alone a Christian, to say “I love you” to the people they meet, without expending the necessary time to build the relationship.
Communities are needed to be able to create friendships. Christians are very bad at creating friendships with unbelievers without having ulterior motives (we are not suggesting that we do not have an ultimate motive: “seeing all come to faith in Jesus Christ”). We need to get back to relationship first friendships. We are constantly trying to “sell” people on a relationship with Jesus Christ without spending the time demonstrating what that relationship looks like through our genuine friendship.
What happens when Christians are intentional in the 1st Space? What questions will this person ask? What are the measurements of a successful community? All of this framework is learned in our 1st Space Creative Community. We Start with Prayer, we go to community with intention, we are committed to long term relationship evangelism (at the pace of the Holy Spirit), and meet up with our fellow Christians who are on mission to pray.
So I have made some friends; I am praying for these friends; I know a bit of their stories; now what do I do? Jesus is a great place to look for answers. Jesus met with the woman at the well at the right time and place. He met with Nicodemus in a private moment. He created moments to hear from others by asking many questions and listening.
2nd Space is inviting your friend into a coffee moment (doesn’t have to be coffee, this is just a framework). Creating a space and an environment where relationships can form. Where conversations about life, hopes, fears, hurts, and joys can be discussed without interruption.
Learn how to ask good questions. Learn how to actively listen not just to your friend, but also to the Holy Spirit. You will know when and how to share the gospel, and you will also be able to continue being your friend’s friend even after they reject Jesus. This isn’t a sprint and there is considerable data that suggests that it takes four years to see a saving moment, and it only comes about through long term intentionality.
The relationship has come far. We are comfortable talking about most things and are having Spiritual Conversations regularly, and now what am I to do? Jesus once again is a great place to look to for answers. Jesus invited these spiritually hungry and curious people to follow him, to sit at tables, and engage with the gospel (which is Him).
Assessing your friendship will tell you how to proceed. Has this person come to a saving faith in Jesus, an invite to church and a Discovery Bible Study could be the answer. Your friend is a devoted atheist, then an invite to a Doubter’s Club. They're just curious and they have knowledge on Christianity, then maybe just a Discovery Bible Study or an Alpha Group.
As I hope you have noticed there is much flexibility because this is just a framework. The best thing to do is to pray and be intentional. Where will your friend be most comfortable (even if the conversations may be uncomfortable) to engage? 3rd Space takes a community of believers helping and operating. Consistency is a key term in this Space.
What if this was a celebration of the stories coming out of all other spaces? What if all of the Christians that are on mission came together to hear and cheer each other on? What if it was the space where we wept in prayer over the people who are still to hear? What if it was the place where we could shoulder each others burdens at the feet of Jesus?
As the other spaces intentionally engage their individual communities, a question of whether these people coming to faith will be best served within an existing church or a church plant. Churches who are willing to be intentional are required. We are all to be on mission for the Kingdom.