Because I have realized that not everyone I have contact with is aware of my transition from Brooklife Church to Eastbrook Church. To fill in the background, I am posting a letter I wrote about my journey with this that I read to the church a number of weeks ago. This coming Sunday, August 22nd, will be my last Sunday at Brooklife.
With excitement and sadness, I am sitting down to write this letter to let you know that I will be leaving my role as Associate Pastor at Brooklife Church to pursue a new ministry opportunity.
Kelly and I have always wanted to keep our lives surrendered before God, willing to go wherever He would have us go and do whatever He would have us do. That is what brought us to Brooklife just a few years back. About 6 months ago, while in conversation with another pastor whom I have known for a long time, a possible opening for a key leadership position in another church was presented to me. I was not looking for anything or even considering leaving Brooklife. As Kelly and I began to pray about this, I heard the Lord telling me: “Just have the conversation.” This was not an easy thing for us to consider because we love our church family and take great joy in our ministry with you all.
As time progressed, we continued in prayer and had many conversations with wise people in our lives. Early in the process of praying and seeking God’s will in this matter, I discussed the opportunity with Jason, who with maturity and love, was a great encouragement to us, and joined us in praying to understand God’s will for both churches involved. When just two weeks ago we received a formal offer from the church, we entered an intense time of wrestling with God about this invitation. However, just this past Monday, Kelly and I both received a sense of clarity that God was calling us toward this new work. I was reminded of some words I had heard from another pastor just two months ago: “What kind of leaders would we be if we heard the voice of the Lord and didn’t obey?”
So, in early September, I will be joining the staff of Eastbrook Church in Milwaukee. I will initially serve as the Senior Associate Pastor at Eastbrook with the end-goal of transitioning into the Senior Pastor role at the church. Eastbrook is a vibrant, urban church with a vital ministry on the north side of Milwaukee. Our history with the “Brook” family of churches began with Eastbrook, when Kelly interned there while we were in college.
As I look back over these past few years, I am amazed at how God has been at work in our midst. Who would have thought that a church plant could grow so quickly and meaningfully since the launch team meetings of 3 years ago? I can see that we are growing into our vision to be “a community of high-impact followers of Christ.” As I was leading worship last Sunday, we closed the service with the song “God of This City.” I really believe that the words in that song ring true to God’s plans for Brooklife Church in Mukwonago: “greater things have yet to come, and greater things are still to be done in this city!” I know that there is still so much that God wants to do in, with, and through all of you and your lives in the days ahead. I look forward to seeing that and hearing about it even as I am serving in another place.
I realize that the news of my departure may be surprising for most of you. As we move toward this change, I am reassured when I consider how God is ultimately in control. Just as He called our family here just over three years ago, He is now calling us out to be a part of a new work. I believe that in His wisdom and faithfulness, God knows what He is doing with Brooklife.
During the next few months, I will be working with Jason and the staff and elders of Brooklife to insure a smooth transition for ministry teams that I have worked with at the church. Earlier this week, I notified the Brooklife staff and elders of my transition.
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to minister among you for this season of our lives.
In Christ,
Matt Erickson (for Kelly and the boys – Isaiah, Joshua, and David)
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Praying for you, Matt and Kelly (and boys!) as you continue to follow God’s leading in your lives and begin this new journey at Eastbrook! I hope you continue to blog about your adventures (and music if you still lead worship – at least at times) so those of us who are further away can continue to pray for your family as you move into this new position!
Thanks for your prayers and care, Lisa. I plan on continuing the blog, so hopefully you’ll have further insight and updates from us in the weeks and years to come. All the best to you!
Matt, thanks for posting this and sharing your journey with us. Indeed, may we all hear the voice of God calling and obey. I’m excited for you and this opportunity, and grateful for the encouragement that you’ve been to me this spring/summer.
Andy
Andy, I have really appreciated talking over the course of the last few months and I look forward to continuing that in the next season of ministry. Believe it or not, I have kept that Ortberg CD you sent me in my car and listened to it frequently. It helps me stay sane and balanced in ministry.
If you are ever in the Chicago area – or even up in Wisconsin – please let me know. I’d enjoy connecting again face to face.
Peace,
Matt
Matt,
Thank you for sharing where God is leading the Erickson family. I will be keeping you all in my prayers as you make this transition..but I am confident that He has led you to a place where you all will bring glory to God.
Thank you, Traci, for your kind words and prayers! We can definitely use the prayers as we make this significant transition.
Congrats on the opportunity. May God bless you and make this transition as smooth as possible. By the way, what’s the love affair with the Erickson name at Eastbrook? Heck, I’ll change my name to Erickson.
Thanks so much, Mike. I would love it if you changed your name to Erickson!
Wow, Matt! I just stumbled on this blog post and AM surprised you’re leaving Brooklife! But it sounds like a great, Spirit-led opportunity and we hope the transition goes well. Can’t believe it was already a year ago that we were eating breakfast together (and Kathryn was setting off the fire alarm). Take care, enjoy this new chapter, and say hi to Kelly for me.