Becoming a Friendlier Church
Matthew KIM
What makes a church feel truly welcoming?
In this episode of the CPT Podcast, we welcome one of CPT's Senior Fellows, Dr. Matthew Kim, to discuss his new book, Becoming a Friendlier Church: A Pathway to Genuine Community. Drawing from years of ministry, teaching, and personal experiences visiting churches around the world, Matt explores why many congregations unintentionally create barriers for newcomers and how pastors can foster a culture of authentic hospitality.
The conversation examines five common obstacles to church friendliness—including insularity, apathy, busyness, comfort, and prejudice—and offers practical, discipleship-centered practices to help churches become places where people experience belonging from the moment they arrive. Matt also reflects on the pastor's role in shaping church culture, the connection between preaching and hospitality, and why becoming a friendlier church is ultimately part of making faithful disciples of Jesus.
Matthew D. Kim (PhD, University of Edinburgh) is professor of preaching and pastoral leadership, holder of the George W. Truett Endowed Chair in Preaching and Evangelism, and director of the PhD in preaching program at Baylor University's Truett Seminary. Before entering academia, he served for ten years in pastoral ministry as a youth, college, and senior pastor. He is also a past president of the Evangelical Homiletics Society and a senior fellow of the Center for Pastor Theologians.
Matt has written or edited numerous books on preaching, pastoral leadership, and Christian ministry. He and his wife, Sarah, have three teenage sons and live in Waco, Texas, where they are active members of Highland Baptist Church.
