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We believe that our future will look much like our past. Only more so.
The Sanctuary began with two core commitments that we believe came from God, and serve to direct and focus our energies; they are multiplication and transformation.
Multiplication
Our mission statement starts, “A growing group of friends giving ourselves away, building the Kingdom of God.” This is significant language to us, because it speaks of a relationship of cause and effect.
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CAUSE
“Giving ourselves away” is opposite to the gravitational pull of our baser, selfish instincts, but exactly the spiritual attitude Jesus asks his followers to assume. “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.”
Mark 8:35 (ESV). |
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EFFECT
“A growing group of friends” is the natural outcome of giving ourselves away. Selfishness breeds isolation. Openheartedness breeds community. Authentic community multiplies itself — the effect is natural.
With this in mind, it has always been The Sanctuary’s desire to be a multiplying movement of congregations throughout the Greater Toronto Area. From the very first Sunday on September 9, 2001, the leaders of The Sanctuary stated what they believed God was asking them to become (by the year 2020):
- 25 healthy, reproducing, significant congregations in the GTA
- 7,500 Christ followers living their life mission
- 100 pastors and support staff serving 25 congregations
- 50 pastors/church starters developed internally
- 5 regional worship/community centres throughout the GTA
- In the year 2020, 1000 new Christ followers baptized...
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Transformation
Our mission statement concludes, “A growing group of friends giving ourselves away, building the Kingdom of God.” We believe that starting new congregations is not the end in itself, but rather a means to an end. The end, or purpose that God has called us to is to make a difference in the communities where we exist. Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.” Matthew 5:14 (ESV). Therefore, our communities should enjoy the preserving effect that comes with the presence of congregations “giving themselves away” to the places where they live.
As a result, The Sanctuary seeks to consistently engage in the physical needs of our community and our world. Opportunities abound for people to serve the needs that are all around us.
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