Bounded Open Space — in the Lifelong Learning Community

The concept of bounded open space served as both catalyst and context for the formation of the Lifelong Learning Community (“L3C”) - a password-protected but open-invitation online community formed in the early years of the new millennium.  It provided the conceptual framework and governing philosophy when the community emerged, and remains a useful point of reference as it matures. 

The open-space impetus for the L3C was described as follows:

Identify an important, significant need, worthy of effort and energy — a complex but pressing challenge that does not lend itself to quick fixes or easy answers. Create a bounded, safe open space where that need can be addressed. Invite a diverse but committed group of people who care about the need, to embrace the opportunity and engage the challenge within that particular space. 

Develop a defined environment conducive to growth, engagement, authenticity. Out-of-the-box thinking. Newness, creativity, transformation. Provide an abundance of resources, tools, encouragement, support. 

Gather the participants and model key values. Focus attention and encourage interaction around relevant themes. Resist the temptation to tightly script or micro-manage the process ... or to guarantee outcomes.

Ask God to enable the process, initiate transformation, lead the way. Respond to open doors, don't force closed doors. Address obstacles and analyze processes.

Celebrate breakthroughs, reflect on learnings, make adjustments. Pay attention to details, but maintain a big-picture perspective. Listen carefully, breathe deeply, share openly, love fully. Expect the unexpected. Then follow the path wherever it leads.

Inherently simple, but not always easy. Eminently fruitful, but not always as anticipated.  Forward movement, but not necessarily along a straight-line path. Some painful moments, but pregnant with learnings — if you are willing. A safe environment, but full of surprises.

This is bounded open space. An invitation into "more," in the company of others committed to "going there" — wherever "there" turns out to be. 

Somehow, at the end of the day, we find it was well worth the journey.