Answering the Call:
The Rev. Matt Phillips - A Life Shaped by Love
Matt Phillips’ journey to ordination began at the age of nine when his mother suffered a life-altering disability after an unsuccessful brain tumor surgery. Over the next few years, as his family navigated this challenging time, the support they received from their local parish and the youth ministry programs of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago became a lifeline. The unconditional love shown by his church community left an indelible mark on Matt, sparking in him a deep desire to return that love by dedicating himself to the Church.
“The love they demonstrated for us was so unconditional and so powerful that it made me want to spend as much time in the Church as possible,” Matt reflects.
The ordination of Father Matt Phillips occurred on Nov 9, 2024, along with Mother Meg Timm, Father Nathan Self, and Deacon Jennifer McCombe. Pictured with Bishop Matt Gunter. Photo credits for these ordination photos go to Dcn. Karen Buker.
As Matt grew, his ministry journey unfolded naturally. He served as an acolyte, attended diocesan conventions, and worked as a staff member for various diocesan youth retreats. It was through his service at these retreats that Matt discovered a passion for ministry and realized he was being called to a deeper vocation.
“It was while serving as a small group leader at one of these retreats that I first began to intentionally respond to the love I had received by paying it forward to others in loving service,” he says. “And when I led and cared for the retreat participants in my small group, I started realizing not only how much I enjoyed serving in that capacity, but that I was actually good at it!”
A Moment of Affirmation: Serving in the Face of Doubt
Matt recalls one of the most powerful affirmations of his calling occurred when he was uncertain about his ability to serve. During his Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) training, he found himself outside a patient’s hospital room, overwhelmed with nervousness. “I felt like a bumbling idiot,” he admits. “I greeted the patient by the wrong name, talked too much, and even knocked her water bottle off the table.”
Despite his anxiousness, the patient experienced profound healing. “After I finished a quick prayer for her at the end of our visit, she shared that she had been overcome by a sudden sense of calm. Somewhere in between my ramblings, she heard God’s voice speaking words of peace and comfort to her in the middle of her distress.”
“It’s moments like this that remind me of how Christ shows up, even when I don’t feel ready,” Matt says. “I never feel more affirmed in my calling than when I feel like an inadequate nervous wreck and Christ uses me anyway.”
Exciting New Beginnings
As Matt steps into a new chapter of his ministry, he is filled with excitement for the opportunity to serve the people of God in fresh ways. “Each new chapter is a chance for growth and deeper connection with those I’m called to serve,” he shares.
What He’s Doing Now
Today, Matt continues to follow his calling as an ordained priest who is deeply involved in the life of the Church. He currently serves as the Associate Rector at Christ Church in Whitefish Bay within the Diocese. Matt is passionate about offering spiritual care and guidance, and he remains committed to fostering inclusive, supportive communities where all can experience the love of Christ.
“I’m still discovering new ways to serve and grow in my ministry,” Matt says. “The work is never done, and I’m excited to see where God leads me next.”
When not actively ministering, you can find him passively ministering attention via walks to his dog Indiana Jones, and playing with his cat, Obi-Wan Kenobi. He also loves golfing, reading, listening to public radio, cooking, baking bread, and playing video games. As a Chicago native, he’s an avid fan of the Cubs, Bears, Blackhawks, and Bulls. If he could get you to read one book, it would be Reading Revelation Responsibly by Michael J Gorman.
Trusting the Holy Spirit: Advice for Those Discerning Ministry
When asked about advice for those discerning their own call to ministry, Matt’s message is clear: trust the Holy Spirit. “God calls each of us to our own vocations and ministries: each one different and each one holy,” he says. “Sometimes discernment comes quickly; sometimes the Spirit speaks clearly and brings us right away to the place we thought we were already headed. And other times the road is a bit more meandering and we are surprised to find that discerning God’s call is more difficult than we first thought it might be. No matter the case, the Holy Spirit still speaks, but only in God’s own good time.”
He encourages patience and trust in the process, confident that God will reveal the path in His time.
