Pathways Church Blog

The Church on earth exists in a state of tension: it is already the Body of Christ, and thus perfect and sinless, and yet, since its members are imperfect and sinful, it must continually become what it is.

I read this quote in a book this morning, and it reminded me of the discussions that we have been having about Pathways. We’ve talked a lot about the fact that we are a church where no perfect people are allowed and we embrace that idea. However, we can never forget that even though any church is full of imperfect people, it is, at the same time, the continuing work of a perfect Jesus in the world today.

I’m getting excited as Pathways is about to take on a more public face through the launch of our weekend gatherings at Mill Creek Elementary. I hope you are too! I pray that we, as a bunch of imperfect people, can form into a community that shows what a perfect Jesus looks like.

You have a unique opportunity to join us this Sunday at 10am as we welcome a couple from California. They are here as they are praying about and considering moving here to lead worship for Pathways Church. We simply consider it a good opportunity to throw a party at our place!

We’re asking everyone to bring something for brunch (fruits, breads, light meats and such with your own special flair). Our mystery guest will be leading us in some worship and we’ll eat (can you say “potluck”?) and continue to get to know one another. Whether you have been coming to our Bible Study or haven’t had the opportunity, we want to invite you. What better way to get to know the heart of a church than to worship and eat together?

No Perfect People Allowed!

Email me if you need more information.

Josh Klocke brought this article to my attention this morning. It is about an old basketball coach of his who cooks burgers for skaters each week at a skate park just to let them know that they are cared about. What a great way to love your community. I hope that all of us can read this article and ask God to give us a similar heart to love our community in tangible ways.

Pathways Church took our first official offering as a very young community last night. We’re very excited, and not so much because we took our first offering, but because of why we took our first offering.

Last night, at our launch team gathering, we talked about what the mission of the church is. The church doesn’t exist for itself, but to love this world as Jesus did. What better way for us to use our first offering than for something completely beyond ourselves?

The images coming out of the Gulf Coast this week have left all of us stunned to say the least. We can’t help but see these images and feel compelled to find some way to help. This week, we have been presented with two very tangible needs, and so our first offering, as well as what we collect next week, is going to be split evenly between these needs:

1. One of the members of our launch team’s family live in the city of New Orleans. They have lost everything and are currently safely in a hotel with only the clothes on their back. A portion of the offering will be sent to them to help them with their immediate needs.
2. East 91st Christian Church, one of the main supporters of Pathways, also contributed toward a church that was planted in New Orleans a few years ago called Journey Christian Church. They have put out a plea for churches to help them as they try to provide hands on assistance to those in the area. You can find out more by downloading the videos available here. We are gladly sending the remainder of this collection to them as well.

We welcome anyone who wants to participate with us in meeting these needs. You can use the donation button below to make a donation. For those of you who attend our weekly launch team gathering, you can also bring your donation with you next week.