Safe Third Spaces
Deconstructing, reconstructing, and finding community in a small town + a fun book subscription service
Public Theology is based on the work of Zach W. Lambert, Pastor of Restore, an inclusive church in Austin, Texas. He and his wife, Amy Lambert, contribute to and moderate this account. Zach’s first book, Better Ways to Read the Bible, is now available wherever books are sold.
All of the content available at Public Theology is for those who identify as Christian, as well as those who might be interested in learning about a more inclusive, kind, thoughtful Christianity. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
We’re glad you’re here.
As we planned book tour events for Better Ways to Read the Bible, the obvious cities were added: a launch party in Austin, churches in Denver, Raleigh, Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, an event at Duke University, and one unexpected stop: Abilene, Texas.
We went to college in Abilene and, to be honest, it was nothing to write home about. I played football at Hardin-Simmons University and Amy soon followed. The single independent coffee shop we knew about in Abilene, Monk’s, sold a shirt that said (in response to Austin’s “Keep Austin Weird” tag line), “Keep Abilene Boring (drink more decaf).” It was a sleepy little West Texas town. We left Abilene for graduate school in Dallas and haven’t thought much of it since.
Until my friend Shelley texted me and asked if she could connect me with her friend Arlene, the owner of Seven and One: A Book Sanctuary. Abilene wasn’t an obvious book tour stop, but we were excited to add it for a few reasons:
1. We wanted to take our kids to see our alma mater (and we love a road trip).
2. Arlene and her shop came highly recommended.
3. Our dear friends, Joey and Adrienne, moved to Abilene a few years ago and we never pass up a chance to see them.
We walked into Seven and One in the middle of a thunderstorm and were instantly greeted by three of the kindest, most welcoming humans: Arlene, Priscilla, and Gracie. They offered us hot drinks. They showed our kids to their favorite books. We talked about Abilene and college and books. As people trickled in, rain soaked but smiling, we realized just how special this book store really is. It is much more than a book store; it’s a community.
As with most book events, people asked great questions and gave their thanks. But this group gave us something else: a picture of how people in small, conservative towns are walking through the deconstruction and reconstruction process together. Questions like:
What do I do if I can’t find a church that aligns with my values and views?
Where can I meet people who are also on the journey?
How do I know what to deconstruct and/or reconstruct if I don’t have a support system that understands?
This book event felt like church. We had such a good time that we ran past time and had to scoot out for a dinner reservation.
And I forgot to sign Arlene’s extra books. We gladly went back the next morning to sign the shop’s stack of my book and buy a few Christmas gifts for friends and family. The place was abuzz with college students, moms with young kids, young married couples, and groups of girlfriends out for breakfast and a stroll through downtown. There were grandparents with their grandkids and people who had been at the store the night before during the event. The vibe was safe, warm, and cozy. We honestly can’t wait to return.
There’s a lot of talk about third spaces— places for people to hang out beyond their homes and offices. For many people, church is a viable option for a third space, but it’s not for everyone. For those who don’t quite fit, who feel outside or unwelcome, third spaces can be life lines. Seven and One is exactly this kind of place, and Arlene is a pastor in a book lover’s clothes.
We need more spaces like this: where everyone is welcome, where we can gather without expectation, and where we are truly valued and wanted. Where families can spend time together and kids are encouraged to cozy up on a couch with a good book.
If we can’t find spaces like this, we can do our best to cultivate them in our homes and communities. And if you are looking for an online space where you can reexamine faith and find others who are doing the same, you have come to the right place. Welcome to Public Theology! We hope you stick around.
If you are a reader and you are looking for a fun way to support safe spaces like Seven and One, check out their book subscription box! This is a great gift for yourself or someone else. Here’s the info:
Sanctuary Subscription Box
“Our Sanctuary Box is all about creating a little bit of cozy. Each month you will receive a title that we select plus a little treat. We hope you will make a cup of tea or coffee, take a few minutes to breathe, and read a few pages. Whether it’s a gift to yourself or another we hope to spread contentment and comfort with this little sanctuary.
Subscribe for 3, 6, or 12 months. $30 per month including shipping. You will select your preferred genre from Fiction/Nonfiction/Variety. Your selection will be shipped mid-month.
Your order confirmation and invoice for payment will be sent within 24 hours.
Complete your order here.”
Lastly, we are happy to cover subscription costs for anyone who needs it but can’t afford it at this time. If you would like to join the Public Theology community and gain access to our paid subscriber content (which we keep behind a paywall for the privacy and connection of our community) but cannot afford to do so, please message Amy Lambert directly.
Thank you, friend! Come back anytime!
Abilene! I still have my “Keep Abilene Boring” shirt from Monks