Joe,
I have enjoyed your book The Search to Belong. I just checked out the website and enjoyed the articles. I plan to use your articles and concepts during out staff training. We are a Christian Family Camp in Northwest Michigan. Our staff consists of 35 college aged men and women.
I plan to use your ideas to explore how and why we do Camp the way we do.
Thanks for you work.
Chip
PS We have a huge front porch!
I am looking for help in developing my staff training. Do have any suggestions (beside Andy) for movie clips that show a front porch? Or what about movie clips that show connecting in the four spaces? Or clips that show how our society lacks connection in some of the spaces?
I was at the Cornerstone Network event today. I really enjoyed your comments - very thought provoking. I have just started a group called Heart Moms - for moms that are raising kids that are not biologically their own. My goal is to create community for them (organically, of course). The thoughts and concepts you have shared are challenging me to really think about what that means. Thanks.
Just listened to your first podcast! The story of “Mrs. Smith” and how she “belonged” to ______ Christian Church, even though she never attended and almost no one from the church knew her was very thought provoking. Amazing how asymmetrical our sense of belonging to each other can be!
Best,
Brad
Joe,
Just wanted to tell you about a family Bible my wife purchased for me as a gift on our anniversary it is dated in the 1880-1889 for the presentation page is there with a date as 188_ it is in very good condition and on the front cover is the name Joseph Myers, I am sure the name was bonded in the cover in gold print in the 1880’s it is a very unick Bible thought you might find this interesting I was amazied.
Best regards,
David Benson
Hi, Joe - Organic Community and Search to Belong (in that order for me) have provided fodder for whatever life-stage life-change itch I’ve got going on. I’ve killed small groups for some of the exact examples you’ve illustrated, and come to some of my own questions about how these things can work more organicly and naturally.
Thanks for putting some framework for language around these otherwise nebulous concepts. I’ve come to see them as “whispers”, like the Emperor describing Rome to Maximus in Gladiator - that if we talk too loud or hold on too tight, we’ll lose whatever lofty goal we imagine. Taking a healthy step back to provide growing room seems to be the real way to move forward somehow.
My current position is in administering growth through the small groups and other facets of our church (I was graciously removed from small group leadership), and your books have done a number on me. Thanks again.
I went to church today, trying to figure out if I really belonged in this church. I have delight in ministering there, but I feel like it is so seeker friendly that there is little nurturance for those who are ministering. So, I have felt torn between staying in a place where I can minister and looking for a church that can minister to me.
In the administrative pastors office, where we meet to pray for our services, I saw your book The Search to Belong. I read the entire book today. It answers so many questions for me.
Oddly enough I lead a successful small group in that there is a wonderful mixture of socializing, bible study and sharing, creativity, spontaneous fun and service activities,… some of the women have deepening friendships.
But I have been longing for more. I realize that I hoped to develop intimiate friends through this group. I can let go of forced efforts in that way now.I realize now that in the guise of giving, I was really asking at times for others to give to me more than they were able, or comfortable out of a sense of obligation because of all the time and effort that I put into preparing and leading this group.
I also can respect a woman who at times left the group because it felt like too much for her. I felt like I had failed her. Now I can respect her decisions.
I also felt like I had failed because we have been meeting together for 2 years and many of them still do not feel comfortable praying out loud.
I think the truth of something is sometimes shown by it making sense in many different contexts. I have been close to tears many days as I have talked with young mothers with children and no stable relationships with a husband, or father of their children. It does seem like there are few front porches any more. Few in between places of public spaces and intimate ones. Few places for the young people to develop relationships.
Thank you for your helpful and thought provoking book and articles.
I just called you and interrupted a meeting, sory about that, but I just got an email telling me that my email to you got bounced back (which means you may not have my cell phone number)…so here is my email again and from there maybe we could have breakfast of lunch…some week down the road. Thanks!
Hi,
I read your book, “Organic Community” and I am fascinated. Can you point me toward several churches that have implemented organic community?
Are there certain areas within organic community in which conflict is common?
David fadav@hotmail.com
Hi Joe. I’m reading through Organic Community for the second time in a month. What a paradigm shift! I find I believe in organic order but practice master plans, and am working on bringing practice closer in line with belief. I’m working to create a 6-month women’s discipleship experience for the mission agency I work for. Timely that I should find your book–it’s helping me to get the philosophical underpinnings for the community I wish to set up and be a part of. Thanks for your thought-provoking material.
Just wondering about your chapter on language. I feel like I’m reading a different language (no pun intended?) as I go through it. I simply am lost. Can you refer to any other writings or resources that might help me to grasp any kind of understanding of what verb-centric language is? I think I understand noun-centric language (maybe that’s why verb-centric language doesn’t make sense to me).
Thanks,
Kathryn
I’m finding the concepts in “Search to Belong” very helpful in understanding and processing relationships in my life. Where do you place relationships where there is personal sharing in one direction or the other with no mutuality? It appears mutuality is assumed in the personal and intimate spaces.
Just got back from your session here in Kentucky with the Asbury group.
Really shook by what you said in good ways. Starting to reassemble myself. Thanks for your work.
I just wrote a blog reflection on some of your thoughts, restating some, and trying to hash out some implications. If you want to take a peek go to keithjagger.blogspot.com.
This after a number of great follow-up conversations already. We’re all talking about your ideas and praying for you in these few days.
Finished The Serach to Belong in a class with Len Sweet. Great work! Somehow, I knew that the old Methodist “class leader system,” was dead. Now, I know some reasons why and how to instill and inspire new, fluid, “slime mold” groups which are effective at creating community. Thanks.
Loved both your books, and am in the middle of processing them myself as a small groups pastor. However, I am looking to teach your concept of the 4 spaces of belonging in a small group leader’s training venue. I thought that it would be helpful for them to experience some relief from the prescriptive expectations of our church for small group community. Any thoughts about how to teach it in this type of venue … as training small group leaders?
Hi Joe,
I am completly in love with Organic Community. I am constantly telling people to read it.
I was wondering, are there any video (or audio) recordings of you giving an interview or lecture on the internet? I have tried and so far failed.
Thanks!
Rachel
Weak Busy,late user belong little look question arrive per similar repeat reduce make demand myself bill invite reading he before them degree select household finally due likely card construction world theme serve client request encourage instruction immediate rise weapon opinion give gas strength thanks suitable servant welfare bad and price phone like ship drive high appearance represent policy truth other him market village level huge expert effort but appeal society discussion design end much idea withdraw move corner blue liability strategy now ourselves congress bear breath sum explanation
Comment by: Todd
104/29/07 9:54 PM | Comment Link |
Joe, I just want to say that building your website was a blast. Thanks!
Comment by: Chip May
205/2/07 8:10 PM | Comment Link |
Joe,
I have enjoyed your book The Search to Belong. I just checked out the website and enjoyed the articles. I plan to use your articles and concepts during out staff training. We are a Christian Family Camp in Northwest Michigan. Our staff consists of 35 college aged men and women.
I plan to use your ideas to explore how and why we do Camp the way we do.
Thanks for you work.
Chip
PS We have a huge front porch!
Comment by: Chip May
305/2/07 8:32 PM | Comment Link |
I am looking for help in developing my staff training. Do have any suggestions (beside Andy) for movie clips that show a front porch? Or what about movie clips that show connecting in the four spaces? Or clips that show how our society lacks connection in some of the spaces?
Thanks,
Chip
Comment by: jmyers
405/3/07 1:29 PM | Comment Link |
Chip
I use a lot of Seinfeld to illustrate the spatial relationships and how they are used and misused. Almost any show has a sample of the four spaces.
Let me know how it goes.
Joe
Comment by: Abbie
505/15/07 8:19 PM | Comment Link |
Joe -
I was at the Cornerstone Network event today. I really enjoyed your comments - very thought provoking. I have just started a group called Heart Moms - for moms that are raising kids that are not biologically their own. My goal is to create community for them (organically, of course). The thoughts and concepts you have shared are challenging me to really think about what that means. Thanks.
Comment by: jmyers
605/17/07 11:00 AM | Comment Link |
Abbie
It was great to be with you in Pitt.
I’m very interested in how you puzzle through Heart Moms! Can you keep me (us) in the loop?
Thanks again
Joe
Comment by: brade
706/4/07 6:06 PM | Comment Link |
Joe,
Just listened to your first podcast! The story of “Mrs. Smith” and how she “belonged” to ______ Christian Church, even though she never attended and almost no one from the church knew her was very thought provoking. Amazing how asymmetrical our sense of belonging to each other can be!
Best,
Brad
Comment by: David Benson
806/13/07 11:50 PM | Comment Link |
Joe,
Just wanted to tell you about a family Bible my wife purchased for me as a gift on our anniversary it is dated in the 1880-1889 for the presentation page is there with a date as 188_ it is in very good condition and on the front cover is the name Joseph Myers, I am sure the name was bonded in the cover in gold print in the 1880’s it is a very unick Bible thought you might find this interesting I was amazied.
Best regards,
David Benson
Comment by: Rick
906/16/07 8:25 AM | Comment Link |
Hi, Joe - Organic Community and Search to Belong (in that order for me) have provided fodder for whatever life-stage life-change itch I’ve got going on. I’ve killed small groups for some of the exact examples you’ve illustrated, and come to some of my own questions about how these things can work more organicly and naturally.
Thanks for putting some framework for language around these otherwise nebulous concepts. I’ve come to see them as “whispers”, like the Emperor describing Rome to Maximus in Gladiator - that if we talk too loud or hold on too tight, we’ll lose whatever lofty goal we imagine. Taking a healthy step back to provide growing room seems to be the real way to move forward somehow.
My current position is in administering growth through the small groups and other facets of our church (I was graciously removed from small group leadership), and your books have done a number on me. Thanks again.
Comment by: jmyers
1006/17/07 10:34 PM | Comment Link |
David,
What a wonderful gift!
If you ever think about getting rid of it–which I doubt–let me know–LOL
Joe
Comment by: Christie Johnson
1108/12/07 11:15 PM | Comment Link |
Hi Joe,
I went to church today, trying to figure out if I really belonged in this church. I have delight in ministering there, but I feel like it is so seeker friendly that there is little nurturance for those who are ministering. So, I have felt torn between staying in a place where I can minister and looking for a church that can minister to me.
In the administrative pastors office, where we meet to pray for our services, I saw your book The Search to Belong. I read the entire book today. It answers so many questions for me.
Oddly enough I lead a successful small group in that there is a wonderful mixture of socializing, bible study and sharing, creativity, spontaneous fun and service activities,… some of the women have deepening friendships.
But I have been longing for more. I realize that I hoped to develop intimiate friends through this group. I can let go of forced efforts in that way now.I realize now that in the guise of giving, I was really asking at times for others to give to me more than they were able, or comfortable out of a sense of obligation because of all the time and effort that I put into preparing and leading this group.
I also can respect a woman who at times left the group because it felt like too much for her. I felt like I had failed her. Now I can respect her decisions.
I also felt like I had failed because we have been meeting together for 2 years and many of them still do not feel comfortable praying out loud.
I think the truth of something is sometimes shown by it making sense in many different contexts. I have been close to tears many days as I have talked with young mothers with children and no stable relationships with a husband, or father of their children. It does seem like there are few front porches any more. Few in between places of public spaces and intimate ones. Few places for the young people to develop relationships.
Thank you for your helpful and thought provoking book and articles.
Christie
Comment by: Adam
1209/4/07 8:57 AM | Comment Link |
Thought you might want to see a review I did of Organic Community on my blog.
Comment by: HELLO, my name is Scott
1310/26/07 7:02 AM | Comment Link |
Yo, Homebody!
Finished the new book. AWE-SOME!
You inspired me to write this post:
http://hellomynameisscott.blogspot.com/2007/10/manage-environment.html
Comment by: D.G. Hollums
1401/29/08 4:12 PM | Comment Link |
Joe:
I just called you and interrupted a meeting, sory about that, but I just got an email telling me that my email to you got bounced back (which means you may not have my cell phone number)…so here is my email again and from there maybe we could have breakfast of lunch…some week down the road. Thanks!
dg@th3waters.com
looking forward to hearing back from you.
enjoy your “potientability”
Comment by: David Fasig
1502/2/08 10:37 AM | Comment Link |
Hi,
I read your book, “Organic Community” and I am fascinated. Can you point me toward several churches that have implemented organic community?
Are there certain areas within organic community in which conflict is common?
David
fadav@hotmail.com
Comment by: Citizen
1605/10/08 8:28 AM | Comment Link |
What a hypocrite!
Comment by: Rick
1705/10/08 9:19 AM | Comment Link |
Wondering if the previous comment was a self-revelation brought about by reading and being convicted by the book. Just curious :)
Comment by: Kathryn
1806/6/08 5:33 PM | Comment Link |
Hi Joe. I’m reading through Organic Community for the second time in a month. What a paradigm shift! I find I believe in organic order but practice master plans, and am working on bringing practice closer in line with belief. I’m working to create a 6-month women’s discipleship experience for the mission agency I work for. Timely that I should find your book–it’s helping me to get the philosophical underpinnings for the community I wish to set up and be a part of. Thanks for your thought-provoking material.
Just wondering about your chapter on language. I feel like I’m reading a different language (no pun intended?) as I go through it. I simply am lost. Can you refer to any other writings or resources that might help me to grasp any kind of understanding of what verb-centric language is? I think I understand noun-centric language (maybe that’s why verb-centric language doesn’t make sense to me).
Thanks,
Kathryn
Comment by: joe
1906/26/08 10:54 PM | Comment Link |
Kathryn
Sorry to not respond promptly. If you’ll do a google search on Verb-centric you’ll find more than you ever wanted to know.
Let me know how it goes
Joe
Comment by: Jim Pitcher
2009/5/08 3:41 PM | Comment Link |
Joe,
I’m finding the concepts in “Search to Belong” very helpful in understanding and processing relationships in my life. Where do you place relationships where there is personal sharing in one direction or the other with no mutuality? It appears mutuality is assumed in the personal and intimate spaces.
Jim
Comment by: Keith Jagger
2109/9/08 9:43 PM | Comment Link |
Hey Joe,
Just got back from your session here in Kentucky with the Asbury group.
Really shook by what you said in good ways. Starting to reassemble myself. Thanks for your work.
I just wrote a blog reflection on some of your thoughts, restating some, and trying to hash out some implications. If you want to take a peek go to keithjagger.blogspot.com.
This after a number of great follow-up conversations already. We’re all talking about your ideas and praying for you in these few days.
Thanks,
kj
Comment by: joe
2209/25/08 4:33 PM | Comment Link |
Keith…very nice blog! well said! Thanks for the contribution to the conversation
Comment by: joe
2309/25/08 4:34 PM | Comment Link |
Jim You may want to read Keith’s blog form the post below…it is very well said.
Comment by: Jim Pitcher
2409/27/08 9:46 PM | Comment Link |
Joe,
Thanks for directing me to Keith’s blog. I’ve responded to his blog with some thoughts stirred up in me. You may want to check them out.
Jim
Comment by: womfolo
2510/7/08 12:20 AM | Comment Link |
Подскажите шооблончег под Wordpress 2.6.2, чтобы был похож на ваш www.languageofbelonging.com.
Заранее благодарю)
Comment by: terri
2611/5/08 2:14 PM | Comment Link |
why havent i see you lately? what has happened to you joe? were are you and how are you?
terri
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Comment by: Josh
2901/3/09 3:28 PM | Comment Link |
Hi Joe,
I was curious about your thoughts on Will Miller’s book “Refrigerator Rights” and how it interacts with your four spaces of belonging.
It seems to me that somewhere between “Social” and “Personal” spaces we cross a threshold where we grant people Refrigerator Rights.
Thanks!
Comment by: William
3001/14/09 2:46 AM | Comment Link |
Finished The Serach to Belong in a class with Len Sweet. Great work! Somehow, I knew that the old Methodist “class leader system,” was dead. Now, I know some reasons why and how to instill and inspire new, fluid, “slime mold” groups which are effective at creating community. Thanks.
Comment by: Rob
3102/3/09 7:33 PM | Comment Link |
Hey Joe,
Loved both your books, and am in the middle of processing them myself as a small groups pastor. However, I am looking to teach your concept of the 4 spaces of belonging in a small group leader’s training venue. I thought that it would be helpful for them to experience some relief from the prescriptive expectations of our church for small group community. Any thoughts about how to teach it in this type of venue … as training small group leaders?
Thanks
Comment by: Rachel
3208/26/09 4:15 PM | Comment Link |
Hi Joe,
I am completly in love with Organic Community. I am constantly telling people to read it.
I was wondering, are there any video (or audio) recordings of you giving an interview or lecture on the internet? I have tried and so far failed.
Thanks!
Rachel
Comment by: terri
3308/28/09 4:12 PM | Comment Link |
not sure you are ever going to update this??? what is up with that?
Comment by: joseph
3410/21/09 11:40 PM | Comment Link |
I’m not sure…I’ve not seen any. However, I hope to submit some soon…thanks for the props!
Comment by: Communitykill
3512/6/09 5:37 PM | Comment Link |
Weak Busy,late user belong little look question arrive per similar repeat reduce make demand myself bill invite reading he before them degree select household finally due likely card construction world theme serve client request encourage instruction immediate rise weapon opinion give gas strength thanks suitable servant welfare bad and price phone like ship drive high appearance represent policy truth other him market village level huge expert effort but appeal society discussion design end much idea withdraw move corner blue liability strategy now ourselves congress bear breath sum explanation