About the Toronto Community Churches


WHY Satellite Churches?
Jesus sent out His disciples (and then the 72) and when people began to reach out to communities in the book of Acts - in both cases they did not go out to rent buildings and hold services, but rather they went to minister to people's needs in Jesus' name.

Our satellite churches (called “Toronto Community Churches”) are based on these four principles modeled by Jesus and New Testament believers:

1. Receptivity
Like Christ's disciples and the 72 He sent to communities, we are to "GO" to people and their needs. When they are receptive we respond by establishing another stage of ministry.

How do we determine receptivity? Our Community Connections Bus, children’s programs, basketball clinics, parenting seminars, Alpha, music presentations, and other outreaches are tools we can use to determine spiritual receptivity, and where there is we are prepared to work towards ongoing ministry by launching a satellite church.

2. Adaptability

When you think of a satellite church, think of it as APC family meeting at another location. However, what works in one area of the city or with one ethnic group may not work as well in another. By the time each outreach develops to a point where a satellite church is launched there will be the same four areas of balanced ministry that APC as the central church is founded on:
 
1. Ministry to God in prayer and worship

2. Ministry from God in scriptural teaching and discipleship
3. Ministry to other believers in caring fellowship
4. Ministry to nonbelievers in our community and through world missions

Each group will adapt these four areas to those who gather at that particular location of Toronto Community Churches.

3. Accountability
Each pastor will be a member of the pastoral team of APC, usually with pastoral responsibilities at our central location. Their vision will be coached by APC's pastoral leadership, their budgets will be approved by APC's deacons, and their leaders will benefit from the fellowship, support, and input of APC.

4. Sustainability
Our whole church and many of its ministries can be involved, from our prayer meetings, music ministry, seasonal outreaches, youth, and fellowships to pastoral care. People attending each satellite church will be sustained by the Begin (opportunities to grow), Belong (opportunities for fellowship), and Be Ready (opportunities to serve) ministries of APC, opportunities never otherwise possible for a smaller gathering of believers.

Toronto Community Churches are APC people led by APC's pastors, meeting at satellite locations to better position ourselves to reach and disciple Torontonians where there has been a strong receptivity to outreaches.