Third Place Gatherings

Micheal Frost, in Exiles, talks about what sociologist Ray Oldenburg calls "Third Places", "...places where people can regularly go to take it easy and commune with friends, neighbors, and whoever just shows up."

The movie Chocolat portrays a women who opens a chocolatery in a small French village, which becomes just that, and more. In stark contrast to the established church in the village, her shop becomes a place of comfort, friendship and transformation.

I may not need to open a third place, but there is a need for me to frequent third places where my friends and neighbors hang out to kick back. Over on another blog, Jan Cowles talks about a new believer who started out in a house church, then started a new one in another favorite house of worship, St. Arbucks. She was simply open to inquiring minds and now meets with new friends around the Scriptures and His presence, 5 days a week.