![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/4740/2026/john-odonohue-blessing-for-a-leader.png\")
@frjonjordan I’ve never been to that spot but have have similarly in other ancient spaces. I’m so glad you can enjoy this experience.
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/92359353","date_published":"2026-06-17T13:51:41+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-17 13:51","date_timestamp":1781704301,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"92287148","content_html":"@frjonjordan What a wonderful gift. Thank you for sharing this photo.
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/92287148","date_published":"2026-06-16T13:39:45+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-16 13:39","date_timestamp":1781617185,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"92238185","content_html":"“Is Pastoring More Like a Startup or a Garden” - This past week saw the release of part 2 of my podcast conversation with Randy Knie and Kyle Whitaker for their podcast “A Pastor and a Philosopher Walk into a Bar.”
\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/06/15/is-pastoring-more-like-a.html","date_published":"2026-06-15T19:26:54+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-15 19:26","date_timestamp":1781551614,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"92235872","content_html":"@ReaderJohn This was too tricky and put things as opposites that I didn’t feel like needed to be opposites. I also questioned Manny of the ways the questions were phrased, which is what I think you were getting at. I guess that’s what happens with taxonomies like this.
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/92235872","date_published":"2026-06-15T18:43:35+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-15 18:43","date_timestamp":1781549015,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"92235343","content_html":"![](\"https://micro.blog/books/9781582439280/cover.jpg\")
\n\nBecause I was feeling out of sorts, I needed to read again Wendell Berry’s beautiful and incisive book Life Is a Miracle. 📚
\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/06/15/because-i-was-feeling-out.html","date_published":"2026-06-15T18:37:53+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-15 18:37","date_timestamp":1781548673,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"92230114","content_html":"@drwalt Probably, but I was just offering a general list that could fit either option. What do you think?
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/92230114","date_published":"2026-06-15T17:02:04+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-15 17:02","date_timestamp":1781542924,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"92217798","content_html":"@drwalt Great question. Although I might rephrase the question to “most influential” or “most significant” mystics since the Reformation, if we use the date 1517 for the Reformation, I think we could suggest the following: Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Blaise Pascal, Madame Guyon, George Fox, Evelyn Underhill, Archimandrite Sophrony, Howard Thurman, and more.
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/92217798","date_published":"2026-06-15T13:37:35+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-15 13:37","date_timestamp":1781530655,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"92217531","content_html":"@JohnBrady That was what I was thinking too. I also wondered if they meant in the English-speaking world.
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/92217531","date_published":"2026-06-15T13:32:43+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-15 13:32","date_timestamp":1781530363,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"92185347","content_html":"I just listened to a podcast where William Blake was described as the single most important Christian mystic after the Reformation. That gave me pause. I wondered what you all thought about that statement. Agree? Disagree? Why?
\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/06/14/i-just-listened-to-a.html","date_published":"2026-06-14T22:49:48+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-14 22:49","date_timestamp":1781477388,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"92101065","content_html":"Here is “The Weekend Wanderer” for 13 June 2026 - with John O’Donohue’s Blessing for a Leader, Trevor Hudson on retreat, Tyler Staton on poetry & prayer, NT Wright on resurrection, Palestinian Christians struggling, children who keep the faith, and more.
\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/06/13/here-is-the-weekend-wanderer.html","date_published":"2026-06-13T11:30:48+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-13 11:30","date_timestamp":1781350248,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"91984568","content_html":"So grateful that a dear friend shared with me this “Blessing for a Leader” by John O’Donohue this week. I had read it before but it came at a very meaningful time.
\n\n
@ayjay I can’t wait to read it. I’ve gifted Austin’s books to my kids over the years and hope to pick this one up for one of them soon. I only wish he were coming through Milwaukee again!
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/91862031","date_published":"2026-06-09T21:38:08+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-09 21:38","date_timestamp":1781041088,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"91825413","content_html":"I wrote about Jesus referring to himself as Jacob’s ladder in John, chapter 1: “The Divine Stair of Our Dreams: Encountering Jesus as the True Ladder of Jacob.”
\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/06/09/070807.html","date_published":"2026-06-09T12:08:07+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-09 12:08","date_timestamp":1781006887,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"91838812","content_html":"I wrote about Jesus’ referring to himself as Jacob’s ladder in John, chapter 1: “The Divine Stair of Our Dreams: Encountering Jesus as the True Ladder of Jacob.”
\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/06/09/i-wrote-about-jesus-referring.html","date_published":"2026-06-09T12:06:39+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-09 12:06","date_timestamp":1781006799,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"91783423","content_html":"@ablerism I imagine you would love it. This seemed like one of Wenders’ best documentary works, IMHO.
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/91783423","date_published":"2026-06-08T21:27:22+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-08 21:27","date_timestamp":1780954042,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"91783268","content_html":"![](\"https://micro.blog/photos/100x/https%3A%2F%2Fimage.tmdb.org%2Ft%2Fp%2Fw154%2FerEJByCPNjwpOk34XAZXQvKEJnJ.jpg\")
Last night, I watched Anselm by Wim Wenders with my wife, Kelly.🍿 What a wonderfully beautiful and meditative movie. I was not overly familiar with Anselm Kiefer’s work, but was overawed by the scope and dramatic nature of his work, as well as how Wenders captured it on film.
\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/06/08/last-night-i-watched-anselm.html","date_published":"2026-06-08T21:23:56+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-08 21:23","date_timestamp":1780953836,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"91717938","content_html":"@KyleEssary Thank God!
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/91717938","date_published":"2026-06-07T20:40:05+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-07 20:40","date_timestamp":1780864805,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"91693601","content_html":"I love how Jesus invites these two disciples to enter a discovery journey with Him:\n“Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, ‘What do you want?’ They said, ‘Rabbi’ (which means ‘Teacher’), ‘where are you staying?“Come,’ he replied, ‘and you will see.’” (Jn 1:38-39)
\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/06/07/i-love-how-jesus-invites.html","date_published":"2026-06-07T10:59:41+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-07 10:59","date_timestamp":1780829981,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"91660222","content_html":"Here is “The Weekend Wanderer” for 6 June 2026 - with “In the Fields of the Lord,” Nathan Hoff on Shattering Leaders, Yuval Levin on the Pope on AI, The ‘Refuge Room’ in the 1921 Tulsa Massacre, houses of worship older than our nation, and more.
\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/06/06/here-is-the-weekend-wanderer.html","date_published":"2026-06-06T18:24:14+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-06 18:24","date_timestamp":1780770254,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"91660200","content_html":"@cjhubbs I couldn’t agree more.
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/91660200","date_published":"2026-06-06T18:23:36+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-06 18:23","date_timestamp":1780770216,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"91660196","content_html":"@bbowman It was well worth the read!
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/91660196","date_published":"2026-06-06T18:23:28+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-06 18:23","date_timestamp":1780770208,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"91608685","content_html":"![](\"https://micro.blog/books/9781590303900/cover.jpg\")
\n\nI just finished reading Rowan Williams’ Where God Happens: Discovering Christ in One Another. 📚 What a wonderfully insightful book reflecting on the spirituality of the desert fathers and mothers.
\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/06/05/i-just-finished-reading-rowan.html","date_published":"2026-06-05T20:57:57+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-05 20:57","date_timestamp":1780693077,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"91528795","content_html":"Grateful for the opportunity to write for Missio Alliance this week: “In the Fields of the Lord: Living with Dual Attention in Ministry”
\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/06/04/grateful-for-the-opportunity-to.html","date_published":"2026-06-04T13:28:51+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-04 13:28","date_timestamp":1780579731,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"91502062","content_html":"When friends know what you love…
\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/4740/2026/img-3336-m.jpg\")
\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/06/03/when-friends-know-what-you.html","date_published":"2026-06-04T01:03:00+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-04 01:03","date_timestamp":1780534980,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"91484889","content_html":"@aemiliana Thanks for that recommendation. I look forward to hearing any others you might suggest.
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/91484889","date_published":"2026-06-03T20:03:20+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-03 20:03","date_timestamp":1780517000,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"91465104","content_html":"My wife, Kelly, asked me this question over dinner last night: “What would you say are the best American novels of the last 100 years?”
\nI am still thinking about it but what would you say if you could only name 5 American novels from the past 100 years?
\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/06/03/my-wife-kelly-asked-me.html","date_published":"2026-06-03T13:56:29+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-03 13:56","date_timestamp":1780494989,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"91464878","content_html":"@bbowman I’m glad you’re reading it now. Share your thoughts. I”m interested to see how it interacts with Rosen’s book, which I haven’t read yet.
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/91464878","date_published":"2026-06-03T13:53:22+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-03 13:53","date_timestamp":1780494802,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"91416170","content_html":"![](\"https://micro.blog/books/9780306925146/cover.jpg\")
\nJust finished reading: Miseducated A Memoir by Brandon P. Fleming 📚
\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/06/02/just-finished-reading-miseducated-a.html","date_published":"2026-06-02T19:53:19+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-02 19:53","date_timestamp":1780429999,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"91406487","content_html":"@ayjay It’s terrifying to consider where that trend line for data center spending is headed.
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/91406487","date_published":"2026-06-02T17:30:32+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-02 17:30","date_timestamp":1780421432,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"91392357","content_html":"@dswanson Thanks, David. I know it touches on interests we both have!
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/91392357","date_published":"2026-06-02T13:22:16+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-02 13:22","date_timestamp":1780406536,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"91390431","content_html":"“Renewing the Ecology of Ministry” - Lingering over the words of ecologists helps me see the mounting crisis for the North American church rooted in a skewed ministry ecology and the failing mindsets that result from it.
\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/06/02/renewing-the-ecology-of-ministry.html","date_published":"2026-06-02T12:27:41+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-02 12:27","date_timestamp":1780403261,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"91347808","content_html":"I shared this quote from Frederick Buechner on calling in my message this past Sunday, and it captures so much so powerfully and succinctly:
\n\n“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”
\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/06/01/i-shared-this-quote-from.html","date_published":"2026-06-01T19:27:07+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-01 19:27","date_timestamp":1780342027,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"91259177","content_html":"O Most Awesome and Holy God,\nThree in One and One in Three,\nlead us into true worship of You\nin spirit and in truth,\nthat our humble words and fumbling adoration\nmight still bring us into an encounter with You,\nWho was and is and is to come—\nFather, Son, and Holy Spirit.
\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/05/31/o-most-awesome-and-holy.html","date_published":"2026-05-31T11:00:13+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-31 11:00","date_timestamp":1780225213,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"91208376","content_html":"Here is “The Weekend Wanderer” for 30 May 2026 - A Pastor and a Philosopher in a Garden, Pope Leo on AI, 3 books on ill effects of technology, new stations of the cross, what kills discipleship?, speaking politics in church, and more.
\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/05/30/073916.html","date_published":"2026-05-30T12:39:16+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-30 12:39","date_timestamp":1780144756,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"91205733","content_html":"Here is “The Weekend Wanderer” for 30 May 2026 - A Pastor and a Philosopher in a Garden, Pope Leo on AI, 3 books on ill effects of technology, new stations of the cross, what kills discipleship?, speaking politics in church, and more.
\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/05/30/here-is-the-weekend-wanderer.html","date_published":"2026-05-30T11:26:50+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-30 11:26","date_timestamp":1780140410,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"91169460","content_html":"“Is Pastoring More Like a Startup or a Garden?” - I have enjoyed sharing about The Pastor as Gardener on multiple podcasts, but few have been as entertaining as joining Randy Knie and Kyle Whitaker for“A Pastor and a Philosopher Walk into a Bar.”
\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/05/29/is-pastoring-more-like-a.html","date_published":"2026-05-29T19:29:45+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-29 19:29","date_timestamp":1780082985,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"91089951","content_html":"@ayjay I needed that. So funny.
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/91089951","date_published":"2026-05-28T17:16:11+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-28 17:16","date_timestamp":1779988571,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"91088369","content_html":"Sometimes when hiking my beloved Ice Age Trail in Wisconsin there are portions that are not that exciting.
\n\nIt reminds me of how life is also like this. Sometimes we keep walking even when things are not evidently beautiful or interesting.
\n\nSometimes we just need to take the next step.
\n\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/4740/2026/image-1-iat-boring.png\")
@eastbrad A good find, especially for pilgrims!
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/91081411","date_published":"2026-05-28T14:37:53+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-28 14:37","date_timestamp":1779979073,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"91081384","content_html":"@joshuapsteele I felt that as well. I really resonated with Kingsnorth’s writing in this book but felt that there were gaps and such broad brushstrokes at times that it bothered me. Still, I think it’s a lover’s quarrel I have with his writing here.
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/91081384","date_published":"2026-05-28T14:37:21+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-28 14:37","date_timestamp":1779979041,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"91081325","content_html":"@KyleEssary Beautiful! One of the places I hope to visit someday.
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/91081325","date_published":"2026-05-28T14:36:08+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-28 14:36","date_timestamp":1779978968,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"91016720","content_html":"Looking through some old photos I found this one that my wife took of me staring up at “The Tree of Life” (Étienne de Boré Oak) in New Orleans' Audubon Park this past New Year’s Eve. The massive oak was planted around 1740. What is it about huge, old trees that is so captivating?
\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/4740/2026/img-3728-m.jpg\")
\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/05/27/looking-through-some-old-photos.html","date_published":"2026-05-27T16:24:44+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-27 16:24","date_timestamp":1779899084,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"90948319","content_html":"@dswanson Beautiful!
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/90948319","date_published":"2026-05-26T15:47:37+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-26 15:47","date_timestamp":1779810457,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"90939785","content_html":"Beautiful hiking all weekend with my wife, Kelly, along the Ice Age Trail in Wisconsin. One special treat was an evening hike at the golden hour that brought such beauty and so many unexpected wonders.
\n![\"\"](\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/4740/2026/img-3302-m.jpg\")
\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/05/26/beautiful-hiking-all-weekend-with.html","date_published":"2026-05-26T13:16:27+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-26 13:16","date_timestamp":1779801387,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"90633135","content_html":"God reminds us and invites us into gratitude today:
\n\n“Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me.” (Psalm 50:23a)
\n","summary":"","url":"https://mwerickson.micro.blog/2026/05/21/god-reminds-us-and-invites.html","date_published":"2026-05-21T13:24:30+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-21 13:24","date_timestamp":1779369870,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"90497888","content_html":"@frjonjordan That’s a very classy and beautiful design! Looks great!
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/90497888","date_published":"2026-05-19T17:00:41+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-19 17:00","date_timestamp":1779210041,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"90488033","content_html":"@dswanson I’d love to hear what you think of it.
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/90488033","date_published":"2026-05-19T14:32:27+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-19 14:32","date_timestamp":1779201147,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"90483255","content_html":"@dswanson I just finished the book last night and I would highly recommend it. It is so personal, so curious, so deeply insightful to see two friends talk about faith and life through email/letters.
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/90483255","date_published":"2026-05-19T13:16:51+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-19 13:16","date_timestamp":1779196611,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"90428113","content_html":"@dswanson What an honor…and what a great line!
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/90428113","date_published":"2026-05-18T17:08:54+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-18 17:08","date_timestamp":1779124134,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"89932602","content_html":"@ayjay I am really, really enjoying the series of essays you are posting on Cosmos Malick. Thank you!
\n","url":"https://micro.blog/mwerickson/89932602","date_published":"2026-05-11T17:27:34+00:00","author":{"name":"Matt Erickson","url":"http://mwerickson.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Favatars.micro.blog%2Favatars%2F2025%2F49%2F10138.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"mwerickson"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-11 17:27","date_timestamp":1778520454,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}}]}