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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:
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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, Church in the Playground, basketball clinics, parenting
seminars, Alpha, Random Acts of Kindness, 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. |
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| 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:
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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 |
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Each group will adapt these four areas to those who gather
at that particular location of Toronto Community Churches. |
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| 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
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| 4. |
Sustainability
Our whole church and many of it's 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 Begin
(opportunities to grow), Belong (opportunities
for fellowship), Be Ready (opportunities
to serve) ministries of APC, opportunities never
otherwise possible for a smaller gathering of believers. |
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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.
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