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What is an ACTS Community?

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More   important   than   asking,   “what?”   is   asking,  “why?”

Why   is  Memorial   launching   ACTS   Communi>es?  To  extend  the  community  of  Christ  in  the  heart  of  Katy.  That  is  the  heartbeat  of  everything  we  do  at  Memorial.  We  want  to  see  Christ’s  community  of  faith   grow,   and  broaden   its  reach   in   the  Katy   &  West   Houston   area.   We   believe   our   disciples  (that’s   you)   are   the   prime   catalysts   for   such  increase.   From   our   worship   to  our   studies,   from  Livin  in  3D  to  choir  and  youth  ministry  -­‐  everything  we  do  is  aimed  at  growing  disciples  and  extending  the  Kingdom  of  God  in  Katy.  

Sadly,   almost   3-­‐out-­‐of-­‐4   people  who   are   not   in  church   on   a   given   Sunday   (unchurched   or   de-­‐churched)   will   not   darken   the   doors   of   an  established   congrega>on   such   as   Memorial   to  receive  the  life  giving  Word  of  Christ  or  be  blessed  with   faith  through  the  Sacraments  of  Bap>sm  or  Holy  Communion.  That’s  a  travesty.  

But,  before  we  throw  in  the  towel  we  must  realize  that   the  answer   to  the  above  problem   is  right   in  front   of  us.   If  the  community   isn’t   likely   to  come  to  us,  we  must  go  to   the  community.   And  that’s  not  too  hard,  because  WE  ARE  THE  COMMUNITY.  

We   live   in   Katy   and   its   environs,   we   work   in  Houston   and   we   shop,   eat   and  celebrate  at   the  local   shopping   centers   and   entertainment  complexes.   This   is   our   city.   These   are   our  neighborhoods.   These  are  our   family   and   friends  who  need  the  Gospel  to  come  to  them.  

And   we’re  the   ones  who   are   going   to  bear   the  Gospel  in  thought,  word  and  deed.  

How?   Not   only   by   our   individual  witness,   but   in  collec>ve  efforts  known  as  ACTS  Communi>es.  

Memorial   launches,   supports   and   gathers   in  missional   communi>es   of   believers   pursuing  passionate  spirituality,  living  in  radical  community  and   engaging   a   neighborhood   or   people   group  with  missional  zeal.  

ACTS   itself   stands   for   Accep>ng;   Connec>ng;  Training  and  Serving.  

ACTS   communi>es   seek   to   be   accep>ng   of   any  and   all,   connect   with   each   other   in   formal   and  informal   ways,   train   each   other   as   disciples  following  Christ  and  serve  their  neighborhood  or  a  par>cular  people  group.  

Cont’d  on  the  reverse  side...

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La   Familia   (“the   family,”   in   Spanish)   is   a  missional  community   led  by  Pastor  Dimas  and  other   leaders   from   our   Hispanic   service.  They've   been  meeAng   for  a  few  months  now,  seeking   to   grow   deep   in   their   relaAonships  with  God  and  one  another,  and  reach  the   lost  in  Katy.  

They   consist  of   15-­‐50   people  and  are  led  by   one  individual  or  a  group  of  individuals  forming  a  core  leadership  team.  The  community   is  led  by  normal  folks,  who  hold  normal  9-­‐5   jobs  and  endeavor   to  lead  with  a  small  budget,  a  lightweight  leadership  load  and  a  low-­‐maintenance  schedule.  Leaders  are  supported   by   Memorial  staff,   who  oversee  their  development   and   provide   guidance   and  encouragement.  

ACTS  Communi>es  are  small  enough  to  care  and  large   enough   to   dare.   They   are   natural   and  organic,  not  coerced  or  stressful.  They  are  simple.  They   are   reproducible.   They   are   defined   by  disciples  who  want   to  live  lives  bringing  glory   to  God,   serving   one   another   and   blessing   the  community   of   Katy.   The   vision   for   each   ACTS  Community   is   different,   shaped   by   leaders   and  par>cipants  who   believe  God   is  calling   them   to  extend   the   community   of   Christ   in   a   par>cular  way,  in  a  par>cular  place.  

Our  hope  is  that  in  the  coming  year  our  first  ACTS  Communi>es   will   provide   space   for   con>nued  learning  and  growth  when  it   comes  to  extending  the  community  of  Christ  in  Katy.  We  also  pray  that  these   ACTS   Communi>es   will   reach   lost   people  and  results  in  Bap>sms  of  new  believers.  

We   also   hope   to   double   the   number   of   ACTS  Communi>es  we  support   by   this  >me  next   year.  We   would   l ike   to   see   these   first   ACTS  Communi>es  mul>ply,   but   are   delighted   to   add  new  ACTS  Communi>es  as  well.  

So,   what’s  the  next   step   for   you?   Get   involved.  Connect.  Be  trained.  Serve.  

You  can:

1) Sign  up   today   to   learn  more,   or   be  a  part   of,  one  of  our  new  ACTS  Communi>es,  listed  below

2) Contact   Vicar   Ken   for   more   informa>on   on  star>ng  your  own  ACTS  Community

GPS  Gathering  with  a  Purpose,  purposeful  ScaGering  will  be  led  by  Nathan  Engman,  April  Ramsey  and  one  other   disciple   at   Memorial.   Members   of   their  exisAng   discipleship   huddles   will   gather   for   the  purpose   of   idenAfying   individual   mission   contexts  and  encouraging/challenging  each  other  each  month  to  pursue  mission  through  vocaAon.  

Adelphos  (“brothers  and/or  sisters,”  in  Greek)  will  be  partnering  with  a  house  church  ministry   in  the  3rd  Ward   led  by   Pastor   John  Ojode,  a  Kenyan  by  birth.  Elizabeth  Chitwood  &   a  group  of   ladies  are  currently   spearheading   this   project.   They   are  going   to  serve  alongside  the  Ojodes  to  provide  a  mul>cultural  front  for  the  Gospel  in  the  3rd  Ward.  

The   Publicans   ("town   official,"   known   as   a   tax  collector   in  Jesus'  day   &   as  a  tavern  keeper   in  the  middle   ages,   hence   "The   Pub")   aren’t   a   poliAcal  group.   Instead,   they   will  be  seeking   to   extend  the  community  of  Christ  in  Katy  by  meeAng  at  No  Label  Brewing   Co.   etc.   Vicar   Ken   will   lead,   because   he  enjoys   beer,   loves   people   &   is   passionate   about  Jesus  and  extending  his  Kingdom.