Pathfinder Church Messages

December 8, 2019 | Dion Garrett While we dream of being with our loved ones during this season, snowy roadways and jammed airports mean that’s not always a possibility for us. But in this season of travel, it’s also important to think about the bigger journey we’re on. Many devoted Christians talk about faith as the most important part of our lives, but this week we make the case for a bigger fait...

December 1, 2019 | Dion Garrett Whatever we mean when we say, “Merry Christmas,” our culture’s favorite season has arrived! As we try to find the perfect gifts for people in our lives, we acknowledge that God’s “perfect gift” of Jesus is actually mind-blowing. For centuries the central belief of Judaism was “God is one.” But with the coming of a son of God in flesh, all conceptions about God have...

November 24, 2019 | Doug Mauss We work hard in pursuit of the American dream, driven to accumulate the things we think will add value to our lives. Yet Jesus said that power and wealth were to be used in the service of others! I Love My Church | https://pathfinderstl.org/ilmc Website | https://pathfinderstl.org Online Giving | https://pathfinderstl.org/give Facebook | https://facebook.com/pathfind...

November 17, 2019 | Dion Garrett It’s human nature to avoid suffering, and downright foolishness to embrace it. Yet, Jesus shockingly embraced a path that led to death on a cross. Website | https://pathfinderstl.org Online Giving | https://pathfinderstl.org/give Podcasts | https://pathfinderstl.org/podcasts Facebook | https://facebook.com/pathfinderstl Instagram |  https://instagram.com/pathfinder...

November 10, 2019 | Doug Mauss It’s human nature to become complacent when we compare ourselves to people who have obvious problems—conversely, we feel inadequate compared to those we put on pedestals. Yet, Jesus destroyed this dynamic entirely, tearing down the facades of the self-righteous, and building up the hurting. Website | https://pathfinderstl.org Online Giving | https://pathfinderstl.org...

November 3, 2019 | Dion Garrett Share your story | stories@pathfinderstl.org Website | https://pathfinderstl.org Online Giving | https://pathfinderstl.org/give Podcasts | https://pathfinderstl.org/podcasts Facebook | https://facebook.com/pathfinderstl Instagram |  https://instagram.com/pathfinderstl St. John School | https://stjls.org Contact Us | churchinfo@pathfinderstl.org

October 27, 2019 | Doug Mauss We expect an all-powerful god to use his might and divine power to achieve his will. Yet Jesus unexpectedly chose to include broken, imperfect human beings as a part of his divine saving work. Website | https://pathfinderstl.org Online Giving | https://pathfinderstl.org/give Podcasts | https://pathfinderstl.org/podcasts Facebook | https://facebook.com/pathfinderstl In...

October 20, 2019 | Dion Garrett People try to limit Jesus by putting him in a box: a prophet, a moral teacher, a miracle-performer. But he blew away the box by declaring who he really was, the new foundation for a transformed life! Website | https://pathfinderstl.org Online Giving | https://pathfinderstl.org/give Podcasts | https://pathfinderstl.org/podcasts Facebook | https://facebook.com/pathfin...

October 13, 2019 | Stephen Hower We believe that most people are rational, and so we argue, share evidence, and try to persuade others to our own opinions. But Jesus didn’t waste time debating—he simply told mystifying stories that cut straight to the heart! Website | https://pathfinderstl.org Online Giving | https://pathfinderstl.org/give Podcasts | https://pathfinderstl.org/podcasts Facebook | h...

October 6, 2019 | Dion Garrett Humans naturally divide themselves into groups for protection and safety. Jesus shook up the status quo by inviting everyone into a new tribe, including lawbreakers and pariahs! Website | https://pathfinderstl.org Online Giving | https://pathfinderstl.org/give Podcasts | https://pathfinderstl.org/podcasts Facebook | https://facebook.com/pathfinderstl Instagram |  htt...

Everywhere you turn, there are promises of quick fixes or simple solutions to life’s complicated problems. While the leaders of the day were trying to heal symptoms, Jesus raised their ire by naming and healing the true cause of our problems. Website | https://pathfinderstl.org Online Giving | https://pathfinderstl.org/give Podcasts | https://pathfinderstl.org/podcasts Facebook | https://facebook....

We expect people to follow the rules, in order to have an orderly and fair society. The religious leaders of Jesus day expected the messiah to crack down and enforce the old rules. Instead, Jesus broke the mold by not just breaking the rules, but by creating new ones! Website | https://pathfinderstl.org Online Giving | https://pathfinderstl.org/give Podcasts | https://pathfinderstl.org/podcasts Fa...

Invitations are powerful. Few people discover great new things out of a trailblazing curiosity, most are invited to experience something that someone else has already found. We are ALL ambassadors in this house. It is not the job of a few to invite or compel, rather it’s each of our responsibility.  Website | https://pathfinderstl.org Online Giving | https://pathfinderstl.org/give Podcasts | https...

Invitations are powerful. Few people discover great new things out of a trailblazing curiosity, most are invited to experience something that someone else has already found. We are ALL ambassadors in this house. It is not the job of a few to invite or compel, rather it’s each of our responsibility.  Website | https://pathfinderstl.org Online Giving | https://pathfinderstl.org/give Podcasts | https...

Neighborhood Walk Weekend Website | https://pathfinderstl.org Online Giving | https://pathfinderstl.org/give Podcasts | https://pathfinderstl.org/podcasts Facebook | https://facebook.com/pathfinderstl Instagram |  https://instagram.com/pathfinderstl St. John School | https://stjls.org Contact Us | churchinfo@pathfinderstl.org

Even though we’re given identity and belonging apart from ourselves, that doesn’t mean the work is done. We are called to keep moving forward in our journey. None of us will ever arrive, our growth is continual and our path is every unfolding. For us here at Pathfinder, our next steps are summed up in four very important numbers, One-One-Fifteen-Six  Website | https://pathfinderstl.org Online Givi...

We all have gifts. And each of our gifts look different. But gifts aren’t meant to be kept to ourselves, ALL gifts are meant to be shared with the greater family. Standing in our way of becoming active contributors are many personal and cultural barriers, but we’ve all got something to contribute and until we do, we’re missing out and so is the family.  Website | https://pathfinderstl.org Online G...

Tight-knit families are a sight to behold, the envy of others. But the very things that make a family tight-knit are what keeps a wall up between insiders and outsiders. At Pathfinder, we strive to be a community who is close-knit but not exclusive. The basis of our belonging isn’t earned, it’s given.  Website | https://pathfinderstl.org Online Giving | https://pathfinderstl.org/give Podcasts | ht...

So many priorities compete for our attention. Many of us live in the Urgent and Important quadrant, so it’s hard to carve out margin for the things that would truly bring us peace and joy. Website | https://pathfinderstl.org Online Giving | https://pathfinderstl.org/give Podcasts | https://pathfinderstl.org/podcasts Facebook | https://facebook.com/pathfinderstl Instagram |  https://instagram.com/p...

Life is more fulfilling when we are committed to serving a purpose bigger than our own comfort. But just maintaining stability takes so much focus and effort. How can a household or community thrive when different people have different goals and comforts that they’re striving for? Website | https://pathfinderstl.org Online Giving | https://pathfinderstl.org/give Podcasts | https://pathfinderstl.or...

It’s natural to see yourself or your household as a closed off unit. After all, nobody else is responsible for taking care of you. So we wall ourselves off, bunker down, and try to just get through the next thing. But while closing off leaves us feeling less exposed, it also leaves us deprived of the fuller life that connection with others brings.  Website | https://pathfinderstl.org Online Giving...

In a “work hard, play hard” culture, sometimes you never get around to the “play” part. Worse, as Christians, ideas of being “holy” have long been associated with being a stick-in-the-mud. Most of us master the art of working together long before we ever think of what it means to play together. But both the “play” and the “together” are key components of lasting vibrancy.  Website | https://pathfi...

So often our conversations are limited to just getting through the day, week, or month. We focus on the urgent tasks or the disruptive news cycles. As a result, we are generally stressed and unfulfilled. Talking about bigger things may cause us to feel unequipped, insecure, or afraid of opposing views, but it also can open up some really exciting and meaningful doors.  Website | https://pathfinder...

In all of the scientific, medical and technological advancements of the last 100 years, you’d think we’d be super-human by now. But one thing has worked against greater health and prosperity more than anything else, disconnection . That’s because an essential ingredient for true health is other people. We need to know, we are not alone in our struggles and we do not possess the resources needed to...

In life, many things may frighten us… but one of the most prevalent sources of anxiety comes through all the choices we have! We want to be empowered, not controlled, yet being in the role of “decision-maker” and “master of our own destiny” can leave us anywhere from overwhelmed to terrified, suffering from analysis paralysis, and worrying that a bad decision will mean God abandons us. How do we g...