At every level we do UP, IN, OUT and INSIDE!

The biblical record, history, and sociology tell us that people relate to one another through four distinct sizes of groups. Joseph Myers in his book The Search to Belong identified those spaces as public, social, personal, and intimate.

CELEBRATION - Public Space
Definition
The place where we connect to each other based on a shared experience—even if we never speak to one another; a gathering of two or more House Churches that share some missional and relational connection; an opportunity to connect to each other around our shared language, vision, and values.

• Bridgeway example: Celebrations (50-thousands);
• Cultural example: Mac users, Malls, Airports, Football Games;
• Family Example: Tribe or Clan;
• Old Testament Example: Temple Festivals;
• New Testament Example: Jesus teaching the multitudes.

Celebration

• Generally feels like what we have traditionally thought of as “church.”
• Focuses on vision, equipping, prayer, worship, and encouragement.

HOUSE CHURCH - Social Space
Definition
Social space gives us the ability to connect through a shared identity and to explore if we would like to go deeper in relationship. House Churches are the primary expression of “church” at Bridgeway. House Churches are groups of 12-75 people who share a missional identity. People are missed when they are gone and everyone can participate, serve and use their gifts. Each House Church has a unique missional vision that becomes the “engine” driving the life of House Church. They are the soil that leaders are “grown up” in. Each House Church contains several D-groups.

• Bridgeway Example: House Church (2 or more D-groups; 12-75);
• Cultural example: Birthday party, office Christmas party, classroom;
• Family Example: Extended family—family reunion;
• Old Testament Example: Local synagogue;
• New Testament Example: Jesus with the “72.”

House Church

• feels like a family reunion.
• everyone participates (I Cor. 14)
• mission is clarified
• open and welcoming atmosphere for believers and non-believers
• lots of hang-out time for building relationship

D-GROUP - Personal Space
Definition
Personal space is where we share experiences, feelings and thoughts. It is where we feel “known”. Most people think of this connection as “community”. D-group means “discipleship group.” A D-group is 2-12 people who gather regularly and intentionally pursue core values together. D-groups are primarily about making disciples. If the goal is discipleship and transformation then friendships will naturally result.

• Bridgeway Example: House Church (2 or more D-groups; 12-75);
• Cultural Example: Dinner group, close work team;
• Family Example: Mom, Dad, sister, brother;
• Old Testament Example: Family;
• New Testament Example: Jesus with 12 disciples;

D-Group

• looks diverse (men’s groups, women’s groups, bible studies, book studies, or dinner groups)
• intentionally going after “discipleship”—the process of learning about and pursuing life as Jesus modeled and taught it
• focus on prayer, transparency, and accountability through asking questions

Intimate Space
Definition
Intimate space is the place where you share “sacred” experiences, feelings, and thoughts. This space happens naturally and is a blessing from the Lord. Many people are fortunate to have one person over a lifetime that they can be intimate with. We find that many people come to House Church and D-group expecting this level of friendship—an expectation that is sure to end in disappointment unless it is clear that this is not the goal.

• Cultural example: Best friends, spouse;
• Family Example: Husband and wife;
• Old Testament Example: Husband and wife;
• New Testament Example: Jesus with Peter, James and John

WHERE
Celebrations, House Church and D-Groups meet wherever they want to, depending on the personality and purpose of the group.

• Celebration could meet in a church building or at a convention center.
• House Church could meet at a house, a restaurant or a park.
• D-group can meet in a board room, a home or a coffee shop.

HOW OFTEN
Typically D-groups meet weekly, House Church, 1-2 times per month, and Celebrations 1-2 times per month. It depends mostly on where the House Church is in their journey together. A new House Church will typically meet more frequently as House Church and less frequently in D-groups. A mature House Church will likely have the opposite situation. We may have seasons where, as an entire body, we feel the need to come together more frequently in celebration for a season in order to re-envision or do some specific equipping.

At every level we do UP, IN, OUT and INSIDE!