Hi. I’m Matt Frizzell. I live in a small town in rural Iowa called Lamoni. I’m from Grand Rapids, Michigan but have lived in Kansas City and Chicago. I’m a father, friend, spouse, minister, & scholar on a pilgrimage.
God touched me early in my life. My story doesn’t begin with me finding church or accepting Christ. God found me, and nothing for me has been the same since. For me, loving God with all my heart, mind, & strength (Deut 6:5 & the Gospels) means wrestling with God and others about politics, economics, human suffering, relationships, feelings, love, parenting, ministry, and church. Struggling with faith – not out of coercion or compulsion, but love – is the best game in town. I believe you kind find Jesus in the rubble of religion and the Love of God in everyday of life.
I serve Graceland University as Campus Minister and on faculty teaching in church leadership & religion. Founded in 1895, Graceland is an non-sectarian school of higher education with a heritage in affiliation with Community of Christ.
Community of Christ Temple, Independence, Missouri
As campus minister, I promote the importance of faith on campus and its significance a part of a holistic liberal arts education. I believe passion and freedom of inquiry are essential aspects of theology and learning. I work with students who want to develop their faith and ministerial leadership, as well as promote occasions for interfaith dialogue and pursuit of peace & justice.
Besides my daughters and best friend (Margo, my wife), my passion revolves around my search for deeper communion, justice, soul searching, and asking the right questions. I love reading, speaking up, camping, motorcycles, Euchre, the smell of a campfire, road trips, and music.
In 2010, I graduated from Chicago Theological Seminary with a PhD in Theology and Ethics. My academic interests ignite around liberation theologies, theology and economy, ecclesiology (church), critical social theory and the so-called modern/postmodern divide. I love reading Bonhoeffer, Kierkegaard, Reinhold Niebuhr, Bev Harrison, Theodore Adorno, and others.
mattfrizzellonline is just another reflection of me – a reflection always seen through a glass dimly. (I Cor 13:12) Through it, however, you can see moments of inspiration, illumination, provocation, and clarity. For me, life is a kind of unfolding prayer set to the rhythm of work and study.
We live in scriptural times. The hardest thing for humans – especially people of privilege – to grasp is that God is God…and more free than we will every be.
Feel free to read, comment, disagree, argue, or question.
Most of all, welcome.
From one pilgrim to another, blessings for your timeless word and encouragement.