Episode 220 - How Crosspoint Created A Family Discipleship Plan For Their Church with Kathy Trawick

The episode opens with the hosts discussing common challenges in implementing disciple-making visions within churches, particularly how to engage kids and student ministries. Jeremy introduces Kathy Traywick, the director overseeing all of Crosspoint's kids ministries and academies, highlighting her extensive experience and leadership role. Jeremy emphasizes Kathy's integral part in the church's effort to align its vision for disciple-making from preschool through high school over the past three to four years. The conversation underscores the importance of clarity and intentionality in embedding a discipleship culture, noting Kathy’s active participation in shaping and implementing this vision.

Kathy recounts her initial excitement upon hearing the new vision, describing it as possibly the best initiative she's experienced at Crosspoint. However, she admits to feeling skeptical about whether such visions truly stick long-term given past experiences with ministry initiatives that fade away. She highlights how the vision elevated the credibility of kids ministry, especially since they outsource their curriculum, aligning it with the church's biblical and disciple-making purpose. Kathy also expresses concerns about how to reinvent curriculum, train volunteers, and embed this vision into daily operations, stressing the need for clarity and shared understanding across all campus teams.

Jeremy praises Kathy for her leadership, noting her experience and high standards as strengths for embedding the vision. He points out that she faced the challenge of translating a broad, somewhat skeletal vision into actionable steps for her diverse team, fostering unity despite varied campus contexts. Kathy shares her approach of visiting each campus to see how the vision translates locally, emphasizing the importance of face-to-face connection. She also discusses how the shared purpose and clarity help build team ownership. Jeremy adds that her role as a central leader, owning and translating the vision, has been crucial for consistency and buy-in.

Kathy admits they are still 'turning the corner' on fully living into the new discipleship vision, acknowledging ongoing adjustments. To assess progress, she highlights visiting campuses to gauge implementation and gathering team feedback. Jeremy underscores the importance of living into the vision gradually, emphasizing the long-term process rather than quick fixes. Kathy mentions how resources like the 'Roadmap' are helping her team develop a shared understanding of developmental stages from birth to 18, with big ideas and key questions tailored to each phase, which guides planning and evaluation.

Kathy expresses enthusiasm for upcoming initiatives, particularly the 'Family Circle' course, designed to equip parents in discipleship at home. She shares how the course has already proven impactful elsewhere and is eager to implement it at Crosspoint, viewing it as a way to support families actively. Jeremy talks about the importance of testimonies, highlighting stories from individuals who have felt encouraged or guided by the vision and resources like the Roadmap. Both leaders see these initiatives as vital for deepening the church’s disciple-making culture, with Kathy emphasizing ongoing efforts to involve parents and community members.

The episode concludes with Jeremy encouraging church leaders that it’s normal for such transformation to take years, emphasizing persistence and faithfulness. He advises that vision leaks if not continually reinforced and reminds leaders to be patient with the process. Kathy and Jeremy both stress that the journey is long and that progress might seem slow, but consistent effort and vision clarity foster sustainable change. The episode ends with an invitation for listeners to connect with Kathy and resources for developing disciple-making strategies at their own churches.