The categories we are most familiar with are not necessarily going to be most helpful in seeing the fulfilment of the Great Commission. As we look at the extreme complexity of our cities, here are some roles that can help each of us identify what God has put on our heart:

Disciple-maker
A disciple-maker is anyone who is actively following Jesus.

Someone who has said “Yes” to God’s invitation to listen to Him, trust Him, and obey Him as He involves us in the things He is doing. He works within us to redeem and transform our brokenness, and He is at work around us in our families and communities to do the same there. Part of our role is always to help others listen, trust and obey Him as well!

Disciple-makers interact and connect at a personal level in the relational worlds where God has placed them.

Champion/Affinity Team
A Champion is a disciple-maker who ALSO carries a burden for a particular group of people, or affinity group.

In rural areas, relationships form naturally out of shared family or shared geography. In cities, kinship and geography do not make strong ties by themselves. Relationships form naturally through an ‘affinity’ that is held in common - for example, a shared interest, a shared need or a shared cause.

Champions carry a burden for an affinity that is too big for them alone - they know they need help. So they raise a flag for the cause, champion the needs and opportunities for fruitful work amongst their affinity, and draw others into collaboration with them. They build an Affinity Team.

Catalyst/Catalyst Team
A Catalyst is simply a Champion who is dealing with a higher level of complexity.

They are carrying a larger sized group on their heart - perhaps a city, a region in a city or an industry. In this complexity, there are multiple affinity groups - perhaps hundreds. It’s too big for a single person or a single team.

Catalysts and Catalytic Teams need to find the Champions that God is already raising up, and support them in doing what He has called them to do.