Matt Braddock (B.A., M.Div., D.Min.)
As an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, I seek to inspire spiritual seekers and leaders. I am a curious person who asks lots of questions. I rejoice with those who celebrate, listen to those who need a compassionate friend and learn about transformative moments in the lives of others. I reach out to those on the fringes of life, recognizing their voices as expressions of the voice of the Divine.
Along with ministry in local churches, I am an adjunct professor at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C., teaching courses on conflict resolution and self care for ministry. I have also taught undergraduate religious studies classes, using creative methodologies to teach traditional college students and adult business school students on the subjects of world religions, religion in the workplace, and the human search for truth, justice and the common good.
I wrote the book The Space Between: Spiritual Activism in an Age of Fear (Energion, 2018). The book explores the intersections of faith and public activism for progressive faith leaders. Learn more at Spiritual Activism Life.
I am a certified Bereavement Facilitator and I also have training in Emotional Intelligence Theory, Family Systems Theory and Appreciative Inquiry. I have also utilized story-based strategies for personal and organization change.
I serve past President and Fellow of the Academy of Parish Clergy, a national organization that promotes excellence in ministry through honest and affirming dialogue, collegiality and continued enhancement of pastoral skills and competency. I have been a contributor to the APC's quarterly journal, Sharing the Practice, as well as prayer and worship collections with Maren Tirabassi.
Even though I find my grounding in Christianity, I preach and teach an expansive and inclusive spirituality that questions tradition, accepts human diversity, seeks individual and community transformation, advocates care for the poor and the oppressed, and nurtures the Earth.
Areas of Specialty: spiritual partnering, faith leader training, spiritual activism, interfaith understanding, narrative-based organizational change, preaching, teaching, retreat and seminar facilitation and pastoral care.
