20. Lordship and Liminality - Missionary Journey, Ep. 2
Oct 6, 2021
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Stacy Gaskins, a contributor to missionary journeys, and Jeremy Stephens, an expert on liminal moments, dive into the dynamics of faith and growth. They discuss how micro churches can create supportive spaces for spiritual breakthroughs. Key themes include the tension between worldly influences and faith, the necessity of listening during spiritual awakening, and the importance of humility in leadership. They also explore the role of Jesus's lordship in personal struggles and the value of embracing discomfort for authentic connections.
Leaders should facilitate altar moments within micro churches to deepen personal connections to Jesus through humility and vulnerability.
Understanding local challenges helps micro church leaders tailor their approaches, enabling congregants to navigate their faith in a complex environment.
Deep dives
The Process of Helping Others Identify Their Journey
It is important to understand how to assist others in identifying their spiritual journeys. Leaders are encouraged to help people recognize their current position in their faith and support them through different phases. This involves engaging with those who may be new to faith or uncertain about their next steps. By facilitating this process, leaders enable individuals to navigate their challenges and experience growth in their spiritual journey.
Creating Altar Moments in Micro Churches
Establishing altar moments within micro churches is crucial to fostering a deeper connection with Jesus. Leaders must model a life dedicated to listening to Scripture and acknowledging when it challenges personal beliefs. This process involves humility and vulnerability, creating a safe space for individuals to confront their assumptions and biases in alignment with Jesus' teachings. By inviting open dialogue and shared experiences, churches can cultivate a community committed to growth and transformation.
Navigating Pain and Grief in Faith Communities
It is essential for micro churches to create environments where people can grapple with their pain and suffering. Leaders must be comfortable with discomfort, allowing for authentic connections with members who are experiencing hardship. By sharing experiences and listening to each other, communities can normalize discussions about difficult topics and find solace in God’s presence. This approach encourages individuals to process their pain while fostering an understanding of God’s heart for those who suffer.
Identifying Unique Patterns of the World
Micro church leaders must recognize and articulate the prevailing worldviews and patterns of sin that their communities face. Understanding local issues, such as addiction or the sex industry, allows them to tailor their approaches to address the unique challenges within their demographic. By capitalizing on the strengths of their communities while remaining faithful to Gospel teachings, leaders can help congregants navigate the impact of their environment on their faith. This alignment between Scripture and contemporary issues reinforces the importance of living a life guided by Christ's principles.
In this week's episode of Microchurches, we continue through our conversation with Stacy Gaskins and Jeremy Stephens in our breakdown of the Missionary Journey. You will hear about the first two stages in the journey of a missionary, and how we can make spaces for our people to experience their own “altar moments” with the Lord, as well as walk with them through liminal moments that they may encounter.