falling forward

Being the resident ‘new guy’ to any group whether that be a softball team, knitting club, fire department,  or even Team KTC  can typically make anyone a little up tight - especially the new guy. People are trying to figure out where the new guy is going to fit; what’s he going to do?; or what’s his personality like? The same holds true for the new guy too. Things like how does this group communicate? Who is the real shot caller on the team? Who is the best information source on the ropes of the company? Does anyone get my humor? constantly run through the new guy’s mind until he finds his place and pace.

In this specific case, the new guy is me. So, “Hi, I”m Mat.”

You might have a few questions about me, my role on KTC, my approach, and the general 411. I look forward to meeting all the staff soon, but until then I have a background in interview writing, so I thought I would interview myself in hopes of answering some of your initial questions and have a little fun. Hope you enjoy.

——

KTC: Welcome, Mat. It’s been a week now, how are you settling in?

Mat: Thanks for the welcome. Everyone’s been super, but to be honest I’ve met so many people that I have already forgotten a lot of names. So if I call you Ricky or Janice - don’t be insulted it might take a little while. Other than that, been super.

KTC: Let’s get to the most obvious thing people seem to be noticing about you and your role at KTC. Mat, you’re a chaplain and you have your ears pierced. How can a corporate chaplain have his ears pierced and still call himself a minister?

Mat: Yeah, this has been a bit of surprise to me too.

KTC: It’s a surprise your ears are pierced?

Mat: No, though that’s funny. I mean, the reaction people seem to have about my earrings. I realize people want to ask and it’s okay you can. Bottom-line: I’m a follower of Christ, student of his words, and proclaimer of the Good News. Just get to know me and you’ll see. I’m not near as weird as my ear lobes.

KTC: So you’re going to be keeping your ears pierced?

Mat: Well, it’s not a deal breaker in my book; but today as was yesterday and the day before that - I woke-up still liking them. However, if at any point I am keeping them out of rebellion or they create a genuine hinder to my mission here I will have no issue with taking them out. Until that point, they’ve been with me for about nine years now. So, yes, I’m keeping them.

KTC: You are coming back to Kansas after nearly twenty years. Your most recent stop was San Diego. What were you doing there?

Mat: Well, my tribe and I have been in San Diego for about four and half years. While out there I pastored at a surfer church of about 300 people ranging from the early twenties to thirties in age.  We really loved it. The weather was always spectacular, the waves were wonderful, and the people we connected with were amazing. During that time I wrote a little book titled, Eight Seconds On A Bull Named Grace, and took over as the full-time managing editor of a Christian pop-culture magazine called, Risen Magazine. It was amazing, challenging, and ultimately a blessing for my tribe.

KTC: You mentioned your mission here at KTC, what exactly is your mission?

Mat: At the most basic level it’s to be a pastor (chaplain) to the entire corporate staff and clients here at KTC. From specifically a client perspective, I don’t see my role as anything other than complimentary to the processes they are already in. My portfolio doesn’t include treatment counseling, because I’m not that.  I’m a pastor at heart. My chief desire is to listen, walk, challenge, and hopefully discover together God’s actions in the lives of the staff and clients.

KTC: How do you plan to achieve this?

Mat: Well, I would like to refrain from using a cliche here, but some would say I bring an ‘out-of-the-box’ approach to a lot of things. I’m more inclined to simply ask, with regards to that assessment of my approach, “there’s a box?!” I don’t force creativity or approach, but I look for on-ramp opportunities where I can merge to common ground. Gain report and trust and begin the walk with people. Basically, there is no curriculum or diagnosis to spiritual development. It’s free will thing; moreover, it’s a God thing. I just get geeked-out discovering with people God’s purpose for their lives.

KTC: You’re a self-described “rabid New York Yankees fan.” What are some of your other passions?

Mat: Golf. In San Diego, I did all I could to get at least 27 holes a week in. Love golf. I dream about my back swing and 120-yard wedge shots. All that to say, I still suck at the game, but love it so. As for the Yankees, they just make me feel good. Great year! Championship #27 down and #28 coming next year!

KTC: I can’t help but notice you spell your first name with just one “t.” There has to be a story behind that, right? Or is it  you just trying to be different?

Mat: Well, there is a story to it and it involves the California DMV, my parents love for the television show, Gun Smoke, and my thirty-eight year journey to discover my real name. When you see me out and about feel free to ask me about it.

KTC: What is one word that you would use to describe you?

Mat: That’s easy: faithhopeLovewins.

KTC: That’s a declarative sentence, not one word. What’s ONE word?

Mat: No, that is one word. It is at least in my mind. You’ll see it from time-to-time in my writings. All three, like the trinity of God, are inseparable in concept and practice. You don’t even have to be a believer in God to agree with this trinity of words. For instance: We act on faith because we have hopes for ourselves, family, friends, tomorrow, etc. The more our hopes are met the more we love life. The more we love this life, the more the world wins.  And the greatest of these things is Love.

It’s kind of my thing and personal mantra. Feel free to pass it a long.

————

Look for Mat’s weekly blog, Falling Forward, produced exclusively for the KTC staff. If you have any thoughts or questions, feel free to pipe them in and he’ll get to them ASAP. You can follow Mat here at Tumblr or on Twitter: oneTmat