Disciplemaking Dimension of Multiplication Course: Module 2 Notes
Lately I’ve been taking online courses as part of Exponential’s Multipliers Learning Communities which I’m completing as part of my work with Lancaster Mennonite Conference’s NYC District. You can see the first post in the series here which explains more about the process and framework of this experience. I’m on to the second course required before our field trip to Cross and Crown Church in Seattle in a few days: Disciplemaking Dimension of Multiplication: Module 2 “Disciple Making Spaces”.
This Module is build on later Alex Absalom and Bobby Harrington’s interpretations of Edward T Hall Jr.’s Proxemics — a framework for thinking about human spaces through a sociological lens. Specifically, Absalom and Harrington are using the Four Human Distances:
Intimate
Intimate distance for embracing, touching or whispering
- Close phase – less than one inch (one to two cm)
- Far phase – 6 to 18 inches (15 to 46 cm)
[Use: creating transparent co-knowing and deep collaboration]
Personal
Personal distance for interactions among good friends or family
- Close phase – 1.5 to 2.5 feet (46 to 76 cm)
- Far phase – 2.5 to 4 feet (76 to 122 cm)
[Use: creating friendships and solidarity]
Social
Social distance for interactions among acquaintances
- Close phase – 4 to 7 feet (1.2 to 2.1 m)
- Far phase – 7 to 12 feet (2.1 to 3.7 m)
Use: Creating neighborly connections.
Public
Public distance used for public speaking
- Close phase – 12 to 25 feet (3.7 to 7.6 m)
- Far phase – 25 feet (7.6 m) or more.
Use: Taking in experiences.
As pointed out in the module, these spaces show up in the ministry of Jesus and in the typical life of a church:
Jesus’ Intimate
The Three (Peter, James, and John)
Church Intimate
[Spiritual Friendship, Discipleship]
Jesus’ Personal
The Twelve
Church Personal
Small Groups [Small Bible Studies, Ministry Leadership Teams]
Jesus’ Social
The Seventy, Parties
Church Social
Ministry Programs, Block Parties, etc.
Jesus’ Public
The Crowds
Church Public
Worship Services, Concerts, etc.
Absalom and Harrington add a fifth space: Divine Space. This is the space where you are alone with God being impacted directly by his power. It would include all aspects of the inner life we typically think of as spiritual disciplines: prayer, solitude, fasting, mediation, contemplation, etc.
This is a helpful framework that I’ve used before to explain the different “circles” in which we engage in mission. Currently, almost all my work is at Intimate and Personal scales. This is because virtually all the people are working with are at the initial stages of their mission. Soon there will open up opportunities to develop Social spaces as missional expressions. It will be important to enter into both those we create (The Seventy), and those we are invited into (Parties). There are also some opportunities to enter into public spaces created by other ministries. While its critical to any movement to show up and even proclaim in this spaces, its notable to me that Jesus used the public spaces created by others — his culture, the religious establishment, the Romans, etc. There is wisdom in avoiding the resource drain associated with creating public spaces, and, though a movement will need to enter them, the best advice is to avoid paying for them.
Continue my journey with me through this course work here.
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