Our Vision
We bring a fresh perspective to church. Our real-life, conversation-style approach appeals to all walks of life.
A Vision of a place where the hurting, depressed, frustrated, and confused can find love, acceptance, help, hope, forgiveness, guidance and encouragement.
A Vision of a place where we break down the walls of “traditional” church, and create a relevant church to minister to a lost & dying world. Bringing the good news to Sevier County & beyond.
A Vision of Pathways equipping every believer to minister to others using their God given talents.
A Vision of missions. Both short term and full time. Sending, supporting and encouraging those who will be called.
A Vision of God using Pathways to plant or help plant a church where he leads.
A Vision of A place that will be designed to minister to a person of all ages – spiritually, emotionally, physically, and socially.
Our Core Beliefs
“Let there be real harmony among you so there won’t be any split in the church. I plead with you to be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.”
– 1 Corinthians 1:10 (LB)
The Greatest Commandment
Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart…soul…and mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
A Statement of Faith:
In Essential Beliefs – We Have Unity
“There is one Body and one Spirit…there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all…”
In Non-Essential Beliefs – We Have Liberty
“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters… Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls… So then each of us will give an account of himself to God… So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.”
In All Our Beliefs – We Show Charity
“If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have faith that can move mountains – but have no love, I amount to nothing at all.”
The Great Commission
Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you”.
Lifestyle Statement: What We Practice
Beliefs are not worth much unless they are translated into actions. Based on what the Bible teaches, we feel very strongly about the following six practices
1. The Bible Is Our Sole Authority
“The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and help us to do what is right.” – 2 Timothy 3:15
Since God’s Word is the only reliable and truthful authority, we use the Bible as our manual for living. Our first question when faced with a decision is…“what does the Bible say?” We practice daily Bible reading, Bible study and Bible memorization. The Bible is the basis for all we believe.
2. The Priesthood of Every Believer
“He loves us, and by his sacrificial death he has freed us from our sins and made us a kingdom of priests to serve his God and Father.…” – Revelation 1:5-6 (GNT)
The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to “full-time” Christian service, regardless of his or her vocation. We practice this truth. Every believer is a minister and we encourage every member to find a place of service and ministry. Every believer has direct access to God through prayer and Bible reading.
3. Tithing
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” – Proverbs 3:9-10
“A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord” – Leviticus 27:30
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7
At Pathways, we practice tithing for the support of Christ’s Body, the church.
4. Water Baptism by Immersion
“For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ through your faith in the active power of God, who raised him from death.…” – Colossians 2:12 (GNT)
We practice baptism by immersion under water, the way Jesus was baptized, and the way the Bible commands.
5. Spirit-led living
“I am the vine, and you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me.” – John 15:5
We believe the only way possible to live the Christian life is by God’s power within us. So we seek to practice a daily dependence on God’s Spirit to enable us to do what is right. Philippians 2:13; Ephesians 5:18.
6. Telling others about Jesus
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks to give the reason for the hope that you have.” – 1 Peter 3:15