This episode of We Are Vineyard is the launch of a mini-series around pastoral succession. In this episode, Jay talks with Matt Massey about giving up his moralistic life to live how he wanted to in college and the ways his dad stayed engaged with him throughout his season of searching. Matt shares about his natural entrance to ministry in college, leaving a lucrative career to pursue pastoring, planting a church and then leaving it to take over a church in crisis, and refocusing the church on Kingdom ministry. Finally, Matt shares some advice both to people who are considering stepping into a lead pastor role at an existing church, and current lead pastors who are starting to plan for succession. 

Matt is the lead pastor at Vineyard Cincinnati. He started his career at Procter & Gamble while at the same time volunteering with a youth ministry at Lakota High School. Following his graduation from Trinity Evangelical, he transitioned into full-time ministry.

A few things that Matt enjoys include golf, learning people’s stories, mentoring young people, fantasy football, craft beer, and laughing a ton. He and his wife Kim live in Loveland, OH and have three adult daughters.  

Show notes: 

Old Paths, New Power by Daniel Henderson  

Day of Giving: Seed & Soil 

Vineyard History and Identity Resources: 

The Way It Was by Carol Wimber 

The Quest For The Radical Middle by Bill Jackson 

Empowered Evangelicals by Rich Nathan and Ken Wilson

“I’m a Fool For Christ”– John Wimber’s testimony