About

Hi, My name is...

Matt Nichols.  I'm now in my 40’s and only 6 ish years into Ministry as a vocation.  I graduated from Rochester College in Rochester, MI, with a degree in Psychology in the early 2000's.  I worked a decade in the suit and tie workforce before being "called" into ministry.  I began my life in ministry trying to prove to everyone why I deserved to be there.  I returned to Rochester College to complete a Masters degree in Religious Education with a focus in Missional Leadership.  I have now spent the last couple of years contemplating how I have no business being here.  And yet, I write about what that experience is like. 

I am married to the most amazing person in the world, have the 4 most beautiful and unique children ever imagined and am grateful to live every day as a stay at home dad, part time church planter-pastor, and wanna-be blogger/podcaster.  What I do isn't always pretty and polished but I hope more than anything that you find that it is honest and helpful in some way.

Plucking and Planting

The concept for this website started about 3 years ago.  I was having one of those conversations with a friend that takes place next to your car.  You know the ones where you are just saying goodbye and the next thing you know you are 2 hours late for wherever you need to be next.  We talked about what was really speaking to us from scripture concerning the church's call in this day and age.  For me, a verse from my favorite prophet popped into my head.

Jeremiah 1:10

See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms,
to pluck up and to pull down,
to destroy and to overthrow,
to build and to plant.”

The church has gone through many moments of revival, restoration, division, corruption, and then again revival, restoration, division, corruption, and on and on.  Through this process, there has been something ugly that has held on.  At times it becomes apparent that corporate corruption and greed has found its way into our bylaws and creeds.  If we look again we see that Nationalism and political might have driven our decision making as much as any scriptures have.  We often cling to safety and security more than welcoming.  The principle of prudence is elevated above radical giving and grace.  The church has found itself in an ugly place.  What the church is looking for is members who will speak in the spirit of Jeremiah to the powers and principalities of our time.  That we will call down the broken structures that have enslaved, held back, and oppressed the poor and powerless.  At the same time, the prophetic call doesn't leave an empty space in the wake of all of the deconstruction.  We must be about more than a critique of the church, we must also dream of what it is that God is calling us to today.  As we listen to silenced voices and reimagine a possible future, we plant those ideas in fresh new worship communities.  I pray that you join me on this journey.