21. Calling and Starting - Missionary Journey, Ep. 3
Oct 13, 2021
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Stacy Gaskins, a mission specialist, and Jeremy Stephens, an experienced community leader, explore the dynamic of discovering one’s calling in a Christian context. They discuss how God invites individuals to start new missions, emphasizing the organic formation of church communities as people respond to such calls. Personal stories highlight the importance of resilience and community support in navigating divine guidance. The conversation encourages listeners to engage in spiritual experimentation and embrace their unique roles in serving marginalized communities.
Calling involves discovering one's specific role in God's mission, diverging from cultural views emphasizing self-actualization.
Experiences of pain and transition play a crucial role in revealing individual purpose and fostering a deeper understanding of calling.
Creating supportive environments in microchurches encourages individuals to explore their calling and embrace changing roles in community.
Deep dives
Understanding Calling
Calling is defined in a way that contrasts with cultural perceptions, where it often refers to self-actualization rather than a divine invitation. In a scriptural context, calling is about discovering one's role in God's mission and identifying specific good works He has prepared for individuals. This process often involves narrowing down a broader will of God into more specific contexts, such as particular communities or situations where one can serve. By encouraging individuals to look for personal connections to their faith, microchurches help them pinpoint where God might be specifically calling them to act.
Liminality and Its Impact
Liminality, or transitional phases in life, plays a significant role in shaping one’s understanding of calling. Experiences of pain or cultural idols can trigger profound realizations, leading individuals toward their unique mission. Stories shared within the community illustrate how encounters, such as a life-changing meeting with someone in need, can crystallize a sense of purpose. This reveals how individuals often discover their calling not suddenly, but through gradual understanding developed over time in response to their unique experiences.
The Importance of Listening
Listening closely to God's voice is essential throughout the journey of understanding calling. The relationship with Jesus is ongoing; individuals are encouraged to continuously seek guidance and clarity rather than assume they've fully grasped their calling in a static sense. This dynamic relationship fosters a deeper intimacy with God, emphasizing that as plans change, so can one's calling. Encouraging regular prayer and reflection ensures that individuals remain attuned to God’s whispers throughout their lives.
Creating Supportive Environments
Creating spaces where individuals can explore their calling is critical in microchurches. Sharing experiences and testimonies among community members normalizes the process of hearing from God and responding to Him. Leaders play a vital role in providing encouragement and affirmation, ensuring individuals feel supported as they navigate their calling. By fostering an environment of open discussion, experimentation, and prayer, microchurches can cultivate a culture where people actively seek to join God’s mission.
Practical Challenges and Opportunities
Navigating the complexities of relationships in microchurches can make it challenging for individuals to transition into new roles as they hear their calling. Leaders must be proactive in addressing these transitions, empowering individuals to step out and embrace new opportunities. It is important to normalize the process of answering God's call, reinforcing that it’s okay to evolve and change within a supportive community. Ultimately, providing ongoing support during these transitions ensures that individuals can thrive and grow in their unique contributions to the mission of God.
In this week's episode of Microchurches, we continue through hearing from Stacy Gaskins and Jeremy Stephens in our breakdown of the Missionary Journey. In this particular conversation, you will hear about the various ways that God calls us to start something new and how we can walk with those we are leading through listening to Jesus and having the confidence to answer the call to action.