A "Wild..Third Place"

Ray Oldenburg argues that third places are important for human societies in his book, “The Great, Good Place” Oldenburg calls one’s “first place” the home and those that one lives with. The “second place” is the workplace” Third places are the “anchors” of community life and facilitate and foster broader, more creative interaction. These third places are important places that involves regulars—those who make a habit of going there; welcoming and comfortable; both new friends and old friends are found there.

The church is called to be that “third place” for people who seek after an anchor. We have an opportunity to meet an important need in the life of people throughout our community. We must find creative ways to build community life and foster broader and more creative interaction. Furthermore, a third place can only become for us a primary place of importance if we are involved on a regular and intentional basis. In otherwords, your presence in church is important.

I have another “third place” that is important to my daily activities. I love the “Wildfire Coffee House” where Tricia and Mark Sobhani are building another kind community that foster creative interaction. The coffee is excellent, but their hospitality affirms the “Cheers” motto, “A place where everyone knows your name.

I invite you to join with me early in the morning for a cup of coffee at “Wildfire” as we discuss what it means to build a “third place” community that anchors our hearts in building up the “common good.”