Why Celebrate Pathfinder Day?

hat is a very good question that often arises. Perhaps if we know what Pathfinder Day is, then we might know how to answer that question better. Pathfinder Day is a once-a-year Sabbath officially set aside by the World SDA Church designed to give our Pathfinders an opportunity to be seen, heard, and acknowledged in their local church.

The programs of the day are often run by Pathfinders themselves giving them a chance to develop their leadership skills. They are in full uniform for greater visibility. Often a Pathfinder parent will drive their car for a color guard of Pathfinders who go to the Pastor’s home and escort him and his family to church for the day.

They are received at church by another color guard that are waiting there. He is given a boutonnière; his wife is given a corsage and they are escorted then to a special seating place for the day’s services. There is a display in the church foyer showing the past activities and future plans of the club. Pathfinders then take charge of all the various parts of the church services including the sermon or a series of short sermonettes done by 2 or more club members in a thematic sequence. After the services there is a special meal with all parents and the Pastor’s family invited and then an afternoon activity involving outreach of some type or a time with God in His world of nature.  

Now, perhaps it is easier to answer our initial question? All too often our churches do not know much about what its youth are doing. They see Pathfinders as perhaps a fancy form of child day-care that mostly involves just keeping our youth entertained and "out of our hair" for a couple hours a week.  

That Pathfindering is actually a program that develops well-rounded leaders, young people who are on a mission—that of finishing the gospel commission in their generation is very often missed by church members. This day is an opportunity to show them what Pathfinders really are all about. It is also an opportunity for families with children not involved with the club to have second thoughts and perhaps instill a desire to have their children belong to something that is so constructive in the lives of its members.

One additional critical point: the offerings of the day go to support your club’s ministry. Pathfinder Clubs do not just occupy time each week, they involve a strong financial base to be able to effectively minister to the children and involve them in all the various events the Conference sponsors such as the annual Camporee and Fair. It is in the club’s best interest that Pathfinder Day be advertised well ahead of time so that church members can come that day prepared to give a substantial, above-normal offering. (Remember the foyer display? It serves the additional purpose of encouraging a good offering!)

So, why celebrate Pathfinder Day? For the youth of the church it is quite likely the most interesting and fun Sabbath of the year. For Pathfinder leaders, yes, it is a little work, but it also will bring in stronger support both from member interest and from finances. For the church at large, it opens their eyes to what the club actually means—it is a ministry, not just fun and games. The future of their church is already in good hands. For the Pastor, it is a chance for a day off and an opportunity to be quite proud of how his young parishioners are developing.

Robert Holbrook

OK Conference

PATHFINDER SABBATH

INVITATION

Sample Invitation

Be creative and have the Pathfinders make invitations to pass out to church members, family and friends. Be sure that you give the Pastor and his family a special invitation.

You are invited to attend the

Special Colorful

Pathfinder Day Program

Presented by our Pathfinders

DATE:                /                /            

Please join us after church for a potluck lunch in the Fellowship Hall

 PATHFINDER SABBATH PLANNING

Pathfinder Sabbath is a special time for recognition and encouragement, a day to strengthen support from the church and Pathfinder families. A Pathfinder Day program is designed to give your Pathfinders a greater sense of belonging to the family of God. Your pastor is responsible for the church service and the extent of the club’s participation is his decision. Ask your pastor what he would like to see happen that will help make this Pathfinder day a total church ministry. Plan ahead – speak with your pastor and ask for permission to bring your request to the church board. (The Club Director is a member of the local church board. If you have a district club you will have other representatives on the other church boards being represented.)

Program

As you begin planning your Pathfinder Sabbath, make it a full Sabbath experience for your church. Be organized! A lot of planning and preparation is necessary for a successful day.

Here are some suggestions:

• Friday night practice – It is crucial that you have a “dress rehearsal” of your church service. This helps the Staff and the Pathfinders see where there may need to be some programming adjustments. The flow of a worship service is important
• Sabbath Church – This is a time where the entire church family comes to hear the word of God. Plan for maximum participation by Pathfinders where they are involved in giving sermonettes, doing skits, providing music, etc. The church family (parents grandparents, and friends) would rather hear their own kids speak about God then a guest speaker. Remember, in every worship service there are people who have come to church out of a desperate need to see and hear about the love and care of Jesus. Make sure that they hear and see God’s love throughout your church program. Make the church service a worship experience, not a showand-tell about your Pathfinder ministry.
• Sabbath Potluck – This is a time where the  families and friends can gather together to encourage and support the Pathfinders.
• Afternoon activity – A hike or an afternoon honor class where the Pathfinders teach the parents an honor they have learned followed with a light supper of sandwiches and salads.
• Sabbath evening vespers – this could be an Induction, an Investiture service, or a Vespers program where the Pathfinders share their experiences from throughout the Pathfinder year.

Sugested Program

PATHFINDER DAY CHURCH SERVICE NO.3
(From the Pathfinder Administrative Manual)
Click to download

• Prelude
  • Personal Ministries Period
  • Minister and platform personnel enter
• Processional:
  • "The Captain Calls for You"
    • Organ, Piano, and Trumpets
• Marching order:
  • Color guard
  • Directors
  • Staff
  • Pathfinder units
• Pledge of allegiance to Bible and flag
  • Flags and guidons posted
• Invocation
• Welcome (Introduces Pathfinder club director) Pastor/Church 1st Elder
• Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:12 Pathfinder
• Pathfinder Song
  • Pathfinders & Congregation
• Prayer
• Special music
  • Pathfinder Choir
• "Pathfinder Happening"
  • (A report)
    • Teen Pathfinder
• Pledge
  • Pathfinder
• "What Pathfindering Means to Me"
  • Pathfinder
• Law
  • Pathfinder
• "Why I am a Pathfinder"
  • Pathfinder
• Objectives and needs of club
  • Club Director, Counselor, or Teen Pathfinder
• Offering
  • Special music Pathfinders
• Sermon
  • Pastor, director, guest speaker, or child preacher
• Hymn No. 529, "Under His Wings"
• Benediction
• Recessional:
  • "Onward Christian Soldiers"
    • Organ and piano
• Marching Order:
  • Ministers and directors
  • Color guard
  • Staff
  • Pathfinder units and counselors
  • Congregation

Responsibilities

Set the date months in advance with the pastoral staff. Schedule this date with your Pathfinder staff and place the date on your Pathfinder calendar. Ask your staff where they would feel most comfortable helping. Delegate the different tasks and then touch base with your staff members to see how they are progressing with their assignments and what assistance they may need. If at all possible, plan to have your teen Pathfinders give sermonettes. The families will love it and the church will realize that Pathfinders is more than fun and games, but instead a ministry. Notify your District Coordinator to schedule this day on their calendar. Remember to request and inform them where you would like their participation.

Practice

Practice with your adults and Pathfinders so that each person will feel comfortable and do their part well. Make certain that every one knows where to go and what to do throughout the program. Some areas where your Pathfinders and staff can help are: Greeters at each door, opening car doors, ushers, scripture, prayer, leading the Pathfinder Pledge and law, special music, children’s story, sermonettes, display Pathfinder projects, and be a part of the color guard.

Bulletins

The General Conference produces bulletin covers for this occasion, which you may wish to use. Contact Advent Source for the current year’s bulletin. The Conference Pathfinder Dept. keeps a few in stock.

• · Put an announcement in the church bulletin several weeks before.
• · Place an invitation in the Bulletin the week before the program
• · Work with the bulletin secretary and provide the program with all names spelled correctly

Offerings

In some churches the church offering on Pathfinder Sabbath is designated for the Pathfinder Club. This is especially true in churches that do not have Pathfinders as part of the combined budget. Other churches, with a combined budget, give the clubs a monthly appropriation and designate the Pathfinder offering for church expense or whatever is appropriate for that date.

Contact your pastor for a clear understanding of what policy your church is using. You may let the congregation know that if they would like to donate to Pathfinders on this day and they may put the offering in a tithe envelope marked Pathfinders.

Flowers

The club may choose to provide church flowers. A dedication could be: Our flowers today are given by our Pathfinder Club in appreciation of the church’s support. Or The flowers are given as a love gift from our Pathfinders with thanks for your prayers and financial support.

Set-up

Plan to set up for the program well in advance of the Sabbath hours. Flags, guidons, club banner, pledge and law, and a Pathfinder Club display should be handled with care and neatly placed.

Set up simple displays of the projects they have completed labeled with each Pathfinder’s name.

Uniforms

Every Pathfinder and staff member should be in Class-A Dress Uniform. Bring extra pins, slides, scarves, belts, black socks, etc. Even if one person forgets or looses uniform parts your group will not look as sharp. Loan them the missing item and help them feel a significant part of the program. Let each person know you are glad they are there.

Potluck

This is a great day for a club-sponsored potluck, a dinner for parents of Pathfinders, your pastor and families. The Pathfinders will enjoy ushering families to the serving lines and may also help with clean up.

Coordinator & Youth Director

Invite your District Coordinator to be a part of your program. This is a must. This is not just for points but also so the church family and Pathfinders will know that your Conference Pathfinder officials care about them. This is more than just involvement and encouragement time for the individual club but also a time for them to meet the church family.

Resources - Click to download

Pathfinder Staff Manual Advent Source

Pathfinder Sabbath Program, Advent Source

Oregon Conference Pathfinder Hand Book