Church is Changing Church is Changing: Episode 87 - Matthew Kilpatrick
8 snips
Feb 13, 2026 
Matthew Kilpatrick, a United Methodist pastor and former corporate startup leader who planted Pathways Church in Pelham, Alabama. He shares his second-career shift into planting, how startup skills shaped church formation, the five discipleship pathways model, creative worship design and improv-style services, and key community partnerships that made the project possible.
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Five Pathways Drive Discipleship
- Matthew Kilpatrick developed a five-pathways discipleship model: discussion, fellowship, prayer, stewardship, and worship.
- He found these means of grace reliably created spiritual growth when intentionally offered.
The Right 12 People
- Matthew started Pathways with 12 people who each brought complementary skills like CPA, attorney, marketing, and worship leadership.
- He called their mix of gifts a miracle and said it made planting feasible despite small numbers.
Healing Before Launching
- The team entered healing work after disaffiliation trauma, using Ephesians studies and communion to rebuild identity.
- They spent nine to ten months in a gestation period meeting in a Baptist church before launching.
