Episode 16

Matt Smethurst

Listening and Asking Good Questions

Matt Smethurst is an author, church elder, and editor at the Gospel Coalition. He joins me to talk about his role in editing and his Bible Study on 1 & 2 Thessalonians.
Matt Smethurst is an author, church elder, and editor at the Gospel Coalition. He joins me to talk about his role in editing and his Bible Study on 1 & 2 Thessalonians.
00:00 40:48

Show Notes:16. Matt Smethurst — Writers Listen and Asking Good Questions

Matt reads a lot of articles. As the managing editor of The Gospel Coalition, he is responsible for shepherding and publishing twenty-two pieces of content a week. Matt has a unique position to recognize not just good writing, but important emerging conversations and the challenges writers face in joining those conversations.

Matt offers great advice for authors, everything from setting realistic goals to limiting your exposure to social media. We also spent time talking about the responsibility of writers to listen. Not just to other writers but to the people in our lives: neighbors, congregants, friends, and family.

Great writers are readers but they are also listeners.

  • I have a stained glass artist in my congregation who does incredible work. This past week, as a graduation gift, the congregation gave me this stained glass piece. It is of a bent oak tree like the one we named the church after. I listened as they explained how the church had been for them a bent oak, a tree designed to point towards safety and water. They are common in the Ozarks. Native Americans would tie down young trees and force them to grow in odd shapes as markers. I have always been impressed by their willingness to do that work, knowing that it might be only be later generations that would benefit from them. Still, it’s a weird name for a church. I know. But to hear people personally resonate with what moved me those many years ago was an incredible gift. And this stained glass piece is now one of my favorite possessions.
  • Last 3 years have been working on a doctorate of ministry in writing. Grateful for the time to study, write and for the great friendships.
  • Domes, pastries, paintings and our last day in Paris.
  • Germany was great. And I do love Paris.
I have a stained glass artist in my congregation who does incredible work. This past week, as a graduation gift, the congregation gave me this stained glass piece. It is of a bent oak tree like the one we named the church after. I listened as they explained how the church had been for them a bent oak, a tree designed to point towards safety and water. They are common in the Ozarks. Native Americans would tie down young trees and force them to grow in odd shapes as markers. I have always been impressed by their willingness to do that work, knowing that it might be only be later generations that would benefit from them. Still, it’s a weird name for a church. I know. But to hear people personally resonate with what moved me those many years ago was an incredible gift. And this stained glass piece is now one of my favorite possessions.
I have a stained glass artist in my congregation who does incredible work. This past week, as a graduation gift, the congregation gave me this stained glass piece. It is of a bent oak tree like the one we named the church after. I listened as they explained how the church had been for them a bent oak, a tree designed to point towards safety and water. They are common in the Ozarks. Native Americans would tie down young trees and force them to grow in odd shapes as markers. I have always been impressed by their willingness to do that work, knowing that it might be only be later generations that would benefit from them. Still, it’s a weird name for a church. I know. But to hear people personally resonate with what moved me those many years ago was an incredible gift. And this stained glass piece is now one of my favorite possessions.
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
1/8
Last 3 years have been working on a doctorate of ministry in writing. Grateful for the time to study, write and for the great friendships.
Last 3 years have been working on a doctorate of ministry in writing. Grateful for the time to study, write and for the great friendships.
Last 3 years have been working on a doctorate of ministry in writing. Grateful for the time to study, write and for the great friendships.
Last 3 years have been working on a doctorate of ministry in writing. Grateful for the time to study, write and for the great friendships.
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
3/8
Domes, pastries, paintings and our last day in Paris.
Domes, pastries, paintings and our last day in Paris.
Domes, pastries, paintings and our last day in Paris.
Domes, pastries, paintings and our last day in Paris.
Domes, pastries, paintings and our last day in Paris.
Domes, pastries, paintings and our last day in Paris.
Domes, pastries, paintings and our last day in Paris.
Domes, pastries, paintings and our last day in Paris.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
6/8
Germany was great. And I do love Paris.
Germany was great. And I do love Paris.
Germany was great. And I do love Paris.
Germany was great. And I do love Paris.
Germany was great. And I do love Paris.
Germany was great. And I do love Paris.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
8/8

Pin It on Pinterest