Visit us
A long table with people from many countries Sample

Our values · Authentic Community

Four spaces where we belong

Many people come to us because they feel alone, even in a crowd. Real community needs more than one place. Here is how we think about it, and how we live it. Draft, for review

A map for belonging

PublicPersonalIntimate

Four spaces where we belong

  • PublicWe share an experience together.
  • SocialWe get to know each other.
  • PersonalWe share our lives.
  • IntimateWe are fully known.

The model comes from Joseph R. Myers and his book The Search to Belong (2003). His point: we need belonging in all four spaces, not only in a home group.

Not every friendship has to be deep. But no one should live with only one space.

It’s not a funnel. Nobody has to move from the outside in. Every space has its own value.

Jesus lived all four spaces

From the crowds to three close friends

  1. The crowds

    He taught thousands.

    Matthew 5:1

  2. The 72

    He sent them out in pairs.

    Luke 10:1

  3. The 12

    He chose them to be with him.

    Mark 3:14

  4. Peter, James and John

    He took them up the mountain.

    Mark 9:2

Even Jesus did not have the same closeness with everyone. And he invested in every circle.

A story · Luke 19:1–10

When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”

Luke 19:5, World English Bible
  1. 01In the crowd
  2. 02Called by name
  3. 03At his table
  4. 04Changed

Belonging came before change.

Jesus did not wait until Zacchaeus was a better man. He went to his house first.

What this means for us

Four spaces at HOM International

Your step this week

Invite one person this week. For coffee, for dinner, for a walk.

Join our WhatsApp community Tell us who you are

Next step