What’s Pathways?
Pathways is a local mission methodology created for churches of all types.
Developed by Australian missiologist and consultant Ken Morgan, it helps church leaders see and then gradually remove the barriers that are preventing people from taking steps towards Jesus.
Pathways is both simple and extraordinarily perceptive.
Its genius is that it allows churches to begin with who already is, or realistically could be, within their span of influence. In Pathways language, these people are called a ‘mission focus group’. Common focus groups include young mums (coffee groups and Mainly Music), ESOL students, and isolated elderly folk. Once identified, Pathways encourages the church leader to consider the stages that exist for a person of this demographic to move between having no connection with the church to being a person who is leading others in mission.
Learn more about Pathways here.
Community of Practice
In addition to individual coaching, church leaders who are implementing Pathways will join a six-weekly Community of Practice or CoP.
Established by Etienne Wenger, CoPs are groups of people who share a concern about an issue and who deepen their knowledge and expertise about the topic by interacting on a regular basis. They are commonly used in the business world and in education to get informal communication and inspiration between key people and departments.
“The Pathways methodology has been incredibly enlightening for me. It’s so obvious but never really considered in local church contexts. I have had so many ‘aha’ moments as I have spent time reading through Ken’s work and coaching with Nathan. Whatever context I find myself in, the Pathways methodology will be something I implement when looking at mission and the church.”
Rev. Sage Harris, Whakatu Presbyterian
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“In my context, we have been applying Pathways thinking for the last few years. This has resulted in more people from the community getting embedded into Christian community, wrestling with the Gospel, coming to faith, and being discipled.”
Rev. Paul Milson, Brightwater Anglican Churches