2024-12-21

The Path Forward ...

We are all on a journey. We each are each choosing a path to find our way through the maze of life with all of its opportunities, challenges, uncertainties and tragedies. 

There are many paths that lead in many directions. The problem is that so many people are lost as in a wilderness, or stuck and not able to move forward.

We need a map. We need a compass. We need someone who can show us the way forward.

For many, to discover the Jesus of ancient scriptures is to find "the way, the truth and the life." We think of this as the 'discovery path.'

For others who have come to believe on him as God in the flesh of man, there is now the 'discipleship path.' What does it mean to be a disciple, a follower of Jesus. 

Pathfinders are a band of friends who are committed to finding new paths together into the hearts of people so that we might share the love of Christ  among them. We do this through winning, discipling and equipping people in simple relational settings ... it might be in a home, in a business venue, within a family network or among an affinity group of friends who enjoy sports or other activities together. Some call it 'simple church' or 'organic church' To us, its all about the good news of the Kingdom which Jesus modelled, taught and died for. 

Someone has put it this way, "the church is leaving the building" ... for some it is to be and take the church deeper into mainstream culture for impact. Many congregations are equipping and mobilizing their people to make a difference! Sadly, for others, their departure from church is a rejection of traditions that have lost biblical roots and relational vitality.

We recognize the exodus from religion in its many forms and the Western congregational scene in particular as an opportunity to connect, build and mobilize Jesus followers into a missional focus.

Our Mission:

To experience and share Christ through small circles of grace.

Our Vision:

To advance the gospel through oikos practitioners, households of faith, who live among the lost and make disciples in the mainstreams of culture.

Our Scope:

Our burden is for the nations, especially the frontiers at home and abroad, where Christ has not been lived out or made known. Jesus commanded us to make disciples of all nations 'as we go' and to that end we envision ekkesia in the form of 2s and 3s occupying gates of influence in the family, the arts, media, science/technology, government, education and the marketplace.

What we do ...

We are an association of people who affirm the headship of Jesus over all his followers, focus on making disciples and seeing Kingdom movement through small 'oikos' expressions of the church.

We believe the Body is held together by the dynamic functioning of Ephesians 4:11-12 roles at the local and trans-local level and that it is the 'one anothers' of scripture that preserve and make strong the life of the Body of Christ.

Our dream is to find new trails so that more people can discover the life Jesus offers. 

What we value ...

• ordinary people leading 'where they are'; nurturing relationships
• Scripture-rooted open fellowship and sharing; practical discipleship and accountability
• reaching and discipling households of faith, in addition to 1-on-1 emphasis
• focusing outward to seekers; relational and intentional
• planting house churches / marketplace cells / online community
• Kingdom-centric; unity with the Body of Christ at large embracing congregations and legacy agencies