Affinity Groups in Disciple-Making Movements: Stacy Gaskins
Oct 10, 2023
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Stacy Gaskins, Director of Translocal Movements for Tampa Underground, discusses affinity-based disciple-making movements in urban environments, including the importance of aligning with people who share similar passions. They explore unique activities within disciple-making movements and challenges faced by a ministry in Tampa that focuses on reaching women in the sex industry. The impact of the ministry is acknowledged in witnessing women come to faith and make positive life changes.
Embracing and pursuing personal calling is integral to reimagining the church and its impact.
Affinity-based micro churches provide incubator spaces to stir calling, foster community, and reach diverse people groups.
Deep dives
The Importance of Calling
One of the main ideas discussed in this podcast episode is the significance of embracing and pursuing one's calling. The speaker emphasizes the need to reimagine what the church can be and where it can go. They share personal experiences of experimenting with simple house church models and witnessing the impact of small church gatherings in different communities. The podcast highlights the importance of creating spaces where individuals can discern their personal callings, whether through structured programs like the calling lab or through listening prayer and open-ended conversations. The goal is to cultivate an environment where calling is regularly discussed, prayed for, and pursued as a part of discipleship.
Affinity-Based Micro Churches
Another key point addressed in the podcast is the shift towards affinity-based micro churches in urban settings. The conversation explores how micro churches can be more mission-specific, focusing on serving a particular people group or addressing specific brokenness in the city. It also touches on the importance of maintaining a healthy ratio between mission-specific and distributive mission micro churches. The discussion highlights the benefits of affinity-based micro churches, such as providing incubator spaces for calling to be stirred, developing a sense of community around shared passions and needs, and allowing flexibility for individuals to engage in diverse places of mission. This approach aims to reach and serve people who may not be geographically located in the same area.
Challenges and Perseverance in Calling
The podcast acknowledges the challenges and struggles that individuals and micro church leaders may face in pursuing and sustaining their callings. It emphasizes the importance of resilience and perseverance, especially in mission-specific micro churches that deal with demographics facing addiction, exploitation, or homelessness. The speaker discusses the need to celebrate every step of progress, regardless of its size, and challenges the traditional metrics used to measure success. They also highlight the importance of reminding individuals of their original calling, providing peer community support, and creating spaces for emotional healing and self-care. The discussion recognizes that every micro church leader will encounter moments of discouragement, failure, and the temptation to quit, but encourages them to trust in Jesus and focus on being obedient to His call.
Practical Steps for Pursuing Calling
The podcast concludes with practical suggestions for individuals and micro churches to explore and pursue their callings. They suggest exposing oneself to the grieving heart of God for the city through immersive experiences and intercession. Additionally, they recommend conducting social network mapping exercises combined with listening prayer to identify and take steps toward loving and serving those within one's sphere of influence. These simple actions can help individuals align their lives and actions with their callings, fostering a sense of purpose and engagement with the kingdom of God.
Cory and Brian interview Stacy Gaskins of the Tampa Underground. Stacy is the Director of Translocal Movements for Tampa Underground. She has been a part of that network of missionaries and microchurches from the early days and regularly coaches missionaries who are engaged in unique contexts across her city. Stacy will share how Tampa supports helping leaders discover their own calling and begin to engage their own context.
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