Ray Oldenburg, an urban sociologist, wrote: “The third place is not home and not work, but instead one of the physical settings that have throughout history encouraged a sense of warmth, conviviality, and that special kind of human sustenance we call community. These settings include cafés, taverns, libraries and hair salons, where people from different walks of life gather to hang out in an informal atmosphere.” Interestingly, he does not consider the church as a third place.
Beginning of the church: The believers came together to listen to the Apostles’ teaching, prayers, breaking of bread, and fellowship. (Acts 2:42) After their work, believers came together in a designated place, which could be the home of someone which was a large home to accommodate many people. Solomon’s porch or colonnade was used for gathering the believers. (Acts 5:12)
The Hall of Tyrannus: In AD 55, Paul used the public hall in the city of Ephesus to preach the gospel to those who gathered. (Acts 19:9-10)
The Bible reading: When the Bible was printed in European languages, including the King James Version in English, it became popular. As many could not afford to own a Bible, in some designated places, including churches, the Bible was read and also explained. Jurie Kriel writes: “For centuries, the Church was the quintessential third place by default in many cultures.”
Coffee houses: The first coffee houses began in the 1650s in England. These places were recognised as places where like-minded people met. They had conversations, discussions, and lectures in an informal setting. Coffee houses became host to many Artists, Writers, and Musicians.
Industrialisation: When the industries came into existence, in the cities of Europe, the third space were the workers met together. That began the communist movement. While the elite met in coffee houses, the poor workers met in trade-union offices.
Digital Third Space: In the Digital Era, the Third Space has become a social media where people join using their smartphones. Millions are online at any given time, having conversations, playing games, watching videos, listening to news, sharing, rating…etc. Digital World opens a new avenue for evangelism.
Am I in the Digital Third Place as His witness?