What is Third Place?
Ever been to Starbucks? That is where I first heard about the concept of a “Third Place”. Howard Schultz who bought Starbucks and turned it into what we know it as today, first fell in love with Coffee (Latte) Bars on a business trip to Italy. It’s chronicled in his book “Pour Your Heart Into It”. “Howard traveled to Italy and became captivated with Italian coffee bars and the romance of the coffee experience. He had a vision to bring the Italian coffeehouse tradition back to the United States. A place for conversation and a sense of community. A third place between work and home.”
Where is your “Third Place” (place between work/school and home)? Where do regularly hang out with others that you share stories, ideas and passions with? For many of us, our community is that place. We come from different backgrounds, have different passions but share a genuine love for God that is at the center of all of our lives. That is the common thread we share.
BUT… Third Place is more that just a name for our community. It’s the essence of our ethos. In life everyone strives to win at whatever contest we enter into. No one plays to get second (let alone third)! But consider this: one of the best know stories from the Bible is where Jesus is asked “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ -Mathew 22:36-40. There it is. Jesus teaches us to put God in 1st place. 2nd, focus on others not just yourself. It’s a mandate to serve. Serve God and others. Our theme is “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” (from Philippians 2:3).
In the heart of the South Shore lays Sierra Community Church. This church is the larger family that we belong too. We are the College / 20 Something’s. We meet each Wednesday at 6:30pm at Sierra Community Church in the High School Room (Upstairs; in the back) to share a meal, pray and study the Bible together. There are several other gatherings during the week, to get in on the action, email Noah: noah@thirdplace.cc