Image

You are to walk in every pathway that the Lord your God commanded you, so that life may go well for you.” (Deuteronomy 5:33, ISV)

Welcome to PATHWAYS

This is the connection at work:  supporting local churches with compassion, experience, and strength…..thoughtfully guiding a strategic planning process which makes good use of the congregation’s own ideas and energy.” - a Pathways participant, fall of 2022

Pathways to Congregational Fruitfulness & Health is an initiative approved by the 2022 Annual Conference that offers congregations an intentional process to prepare, assess, learn and grow in their understanding of what it means to be a healthy, fruitful congregation.  Pathways provides spiritual and strategic resources presented by a trained Facilitator to a team of your local church leaders, to discern a ministry plan which is organic and appropriate for your particular setting. 

Pathways is voluntary, although highly recommended for each church….and it’s supported by your Connectional Ministry Fund (CMF) contributions so it’s free!  Each Pathways congregation will work with the assigned facilitator to make honest assessment of its current reality and then prayerfully discern faithful next steps.

  • Is your congregation making disciples of Jesus Christ?
  • Is the work of your congregation contagious and kingdom-advancing?
  • How well do you relate to your community?
  • Are you moving towards being more culturally competent?
  • Is your building well-used in vibrant service and outreach opportunities?
  • Do you have adequate assets & resources to succeed in the future?
  • Are you ready for new challenges which will develop new leaders?

If any of this resonates with you, then please sign up at the link below.

Begin a journey with us & each other which promises new life for your church, to the glory of God!

…thy Word our law, thy paths our chosen way.
(God of the Ages, UM Hymnal, #698)

Latest News & Information

Featured image for “<strong>Complexity and Calm</strong>”

Complexity and Calm

“Be still and know that I am God.”   (Psalm 46:10a) When Mike Slaughter spoke at Hopewell UMC’s Planting Seeds for… Read More
Featured image for “<strong>When the past just doesn’t work anymore</strong>”

When the past just doesn’t work anymore

No one pours new wine into old wineskins.   —Luke 5:37 In my role as bishop of EPA&GNJ, I lead or… Read More
Featured image for “Register by April 1 to start Pathways in May”

Register by April 1 to start Pathways in May

“I shall not fear the battle…nor wander from the pathway if thou wilt be my guide.” (From “O Jesus, I… Read More
Featured image for “<strong>Managing the fast pace of change</strong>”

Managing the fast pace of change

“Your word is firmly fixed in heaven.”  —Psalm 119:89b “The only constant in life is change,” Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher… Read More
Featured image for “<strong>Saturday is Leadership Academy Planning Day</strong>”

Saturday is Leadership Academy Planning Day

While the Philadelphia Eagles will spend Saturday preparing to win Sunday’s Super Bowl, about a hundred EPA&GNJ church, district and… Read More
Featured image for “<em>Holding on together</em><br>Cabinet epistle prescribes remedies to clergy stress, burnout”

Holding on together
Cabinet epistle prescribes remedies to clergy stress, burnout

“In the midst of deeply felt challenges to our health, our churches and our society, it is normal for stress… Read More
Featured image for “The best leaders champion their teams”
Transformational Leaders

The best leaders champion their teams

“Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,…let us RUN.”   (Hebrews 12:1) When my granddaughter Mia scores… Read More
Featured image for “Pathways video now subtitled in Spanish”

Pathways video now subtitled in Spanish

The new Pathways to Congregational Fruitfulness & Health video now has a version with Spanish-language subtitles for EPA members who want… Read More
Featured image for “New video introduces Pathways to foster fruitful congregations”
Vital Congregations

New video introduces Pathways to foster fruitful congregations

The new Introduction to Pathways video begins by asking the questions churches will ask themselves, as they consider participation in… Read More
Featured image for “Pathways initiative prepares for September launch”
Congregational Vitality

Pathways initiative prepares for September launch

The Eastern PA Conference’s new Pathways to Congregational Fruitfulness & Health initiative has its crew and initial passengers all aboard, as… Read More
Featured image for “Leaders are born, right?”
Developing Transformational Leaders

Leaders are born, right?

Dear EPA Leaders,  I continue to be grateful for your leadership in your congregation and in the larger church. Your… Read More
Featured image for “Wholeness Centers to spur BIPOC church-community ministry partnerships”
Ending the Sin of Racism

Wholeness Centers to spur BIPOC church-community ministry partnerships

The Eastern PA Conference is placing a new milestone on its justice-centered Dismantling Racism: Path Toward Wholeness initiative with the… Read More