"Having Nothing, Possessing Everything": A Conversation with pastor and author Rev. Michael Mather

"To Be And Do" with Philip Amerson

In this powerful episode of To Be and Do, host Philip Amerson welcomes Michael Mather, Pastor of First United Methodist Church in Boulder, Colorado, A for a candid, enlightening discussion held at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Indianapolis. Drawing from decades of ministry across diverse communities, Mike shares the transformative stories and hard lessons that have reshaped his understanding of poverty, ministry, relationship, and what it truly means to serve.

Narrative Overview:

Following an introduction by Phil, listeners are invited into Mike’s journey—one marked not by prescribed programs or top-down charity, but by listening, relationship, and a willingness to let ministry evolve. Mike speaks with humility about moving beyond “ministry to” and embracing “ministry with.” He tells the story of Boulder’s church patio unexpectedly becoming a gathering place for those experiencing homelessness during the pandemic and how meeting, naming, and understanding one another changed everything.

Rather than seeing people as clients or problems to fix, Mike challenges his congregation (and us all) to instead see everyone’s gifts, dreams, and what brings them joy. Whether discussing an accidental community meeting, the success story of neighbor Adel Almaguer turning her love for cooking into a thriving business, or the courage to celebrate both successes and failures in church ministries, Mike’s wisdom is hands-on, practical, and deeply relational.

Ultimately, the episode is a call away from paternalism and scarcity thinking, and toward a vision of church as a space where everyone’s story, gifts, and relationships matter.

Key Takeaways:

1. Ask Different Questions: Mike advocates for shifting the focus from what people lack (“how poor are you?”) to what they have to offer (“what are your gifts, dreams, and talents?”). This change in questioning opens doors to dignity, agency, and surprising possibilities.
2. The Power of Relationship: The episode demonstrates that real transformation begins with knowing names and stories, not just providing services. Community is built not by programs, but through genuine human connection.
3. Embracing and Learning from Failure: Mike urges churches to recognize, honor, and even celebrate ministries and programs that have ended, understanding that failure is integral to growth and new life.
4. Everyone Has Something to Give: The stories shared reinforce that every person, regardless of circumstance, has skills, stories, and joys worth celebrating and sharing.
5. Ministry is a Journey, Not a Destination: Mike reminds us there’s no one-size-fits-all formula—ministry is ongoing, evolving work that requires openness to learning, change, and the unexpected.

Listen in for an honest, hope-filled conversation on how the church can become a truly welcoming and transformative community—one relationship, one story at a time.