Author Archives: Matthew Winters

I’ll never forget how things happened overnight in 2015. In June, I met my wife. In July, we began our courtship. On September 11, we were married. Remember the song by Bonnie Raitt “Let’s give ‘em something to talk about”? Jennifer and I got everyone’s curiosity up here in the Golden Corner of South Carolina.Continue reading “6 Years!”

Approximately five years ago, I was reaching out in a Facebook pastors group for support. I knew I was still called to be a pastor, but not many churches would touch a divorced guy with a 39 1/2-foot pole. Several pastors commented with their platitudes, but I received a message from a guy who hadContinue reading “Remembering Pastor Ken Fetuao”

I have never had a job with the postal service, but I’ve been a mail carrier all my life. So have you! You might say, “Matthew, I don’t get it!” Let me explain😀. We all deliver a message. The content of the message varies. You might be the bearer of good news, bad news, facts,Continue reading “Mail Carrier”

“Ghosted” is a very popular term and something many of us experience. The New York Times defines it this way: “Ghosting — when someone cuts off all communication without explanation — extends to all things, it seems.” In my years of ministry, I have been ghosted multiple times. People who promise to join the churchContinue reading “Ghosted”

In the world of ministry, there is an element of pressure to be a certain thing. If you pastor a church, you need to have certain goals, attire, etc. My reality is that I haven’t fit the modern bill for a pastor. I’m an old soul. I’m the guy that most people didn’t realize wasContinue reading “Accepting Your Assignment”

Surrender is a buzzword in the Christian community. The reality is that we who profess Christ as personal Savior talk more about surrender than we actually do it. We talk about how God is able, but our actions give little to no evidence. We are a generation that has to prove something. We’re proving something,Continue reading “Am I Really Trusting God?”

My wife and I rarely ride to church together. I like to arrive early, and she typically runs behind, so I drive separately. Because our van has been less than dependable, we rode in my car today. Anyone with several small children knows how a car ride with a mom, dad, and 3 small childrenContinue reading “Zooming In When I Should Be Zooming Out”

Since May 2 of this year, I have had the honor and privilege of pastoring a church once again. With that comes weekly sermon preparation (which I deeply love). The downside to that is when you get a case of writer’s block. Such was the case this week. I spent the week with James 5,Continue reading “The Holy Spirit and Writer’s Block”

I think we all think explosion when we think of July 4, but it is typically related to fireworks. Today, our church had a few explosions. Let me say these were good and, well, not so bad explosions. First, let me begin with the good explosion. I have now been pastor for 2 months. OnContinue reading “An Explosive 4th of July”

Since I returned to the pastorate, I have been reminded about tests and lessons. It was so much easier when I simply attended a church and listened to someone else preach a message. I still had a responsibility to put the Bible into action, but I’m tested a lot more now I’m the one preachingContinue reading “Tests and Lessons”