Joe Meyers may have written one of those books that could arguably change our understanding of relationship, especially with regards to the Church. You’ll find a link in my book list to the left.
Joe took some thoughts on architecture written a number of years ago and offers some incredible insights into the ways people connect in space. He suggests there are four spaces in which people belong – Public, Social, Personal and Intimate.
We often convey to someone they could enjoy an “intimate” relationship with God. Meyer’s definition for intimate – “naked and unashamed.” Relationally that means you have a willingness to honest about who you are before God. Not many of us really want an intimate relationship with God. We want a personal God but not an intimate God. We want to keep God at just the right distance so I don’t have to change too much. For that matter not many of us want an inimate relationship with anyone. We are too fearful of what they might think or say about us.
How would this play into our expressions of hospitality? We have expectations of people that may be unrealistic. Think about it. Tell me what you think.
You can check Joe’s blog at
http://searchtobelong.blogspot.com/
I recall reading in Erwin McManus’ An Unstopable Force a time when he describes the hospitality (or lack thereof) of his church. They thought they were friendly, until they asked for feedback from those who visited. Seems they were friendly to each other, but not to the visitors.
An example of just how intimate we are/are not willing to be with each other sometimes.