Interview with Matt Brown
Pastor of Sandals Church
Statistics
Name of Church: Sandals church
Meeting Place & Time: 5091 Chicago Ave Riverside Ca. 92506
Website address: Sandalschurch.com
Name of Senior Pastor: Matthew Brown
Date of Birth: 6-2-71
Bachelors Degree: Political Science
masters Degree: MDiv
Seminary: GGBTS
Denominational affiliation: Southern Baptists
When was church planted? Jan 98
Current Congregation size? 150
Interview
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Matt preaching. [Notice the stained
glass behind him!] |
>>> Matt, tell us how the church got started.
How did you develop the vision to plant a church, and what is the history of this church
so far?
I just new that God did not want me at the church I was
serving at in FV. I new that God had called me to be a pastor and being so young I
gravitated back to my home college. Cal Baptist University. As far as history we have
none. We are trying to be as biblical as we know how. Everyone seems to have there own
opinion on precisely what that is.
>>> You guys have been going for just over a
year, and have about 200 people. How would you explain your success?
I have absolutely no Idea. I think pastor write their
books after they have done and have time to reflect. If I had time to reflect and began to
formulate why the church is growing I now I would screw things up!
>>> Who have been the major influences in your
life, and why?
My biggest influence would have to be Pastor Phil Busby.
Pastor of Bible Fellowship of Riverside. He taught me what it means to be a pastor.
Outside influences would be Rick Warren and Tom Wolf.
>>> Could you describe for us how you would
compare to a Boomer church?
I have no Idea. I did not start out to get Xers they just
came and continue to come. I want to "be real" and as far as I can tell boomers
want to "feel real". This can be a problem
>>> What are some of the greatest challenges you
are facing at Sandals'?
The greatest problem is ourselves. The enemy always can
find a way to divide us.
Sandals is not competing with anything but our own pride. Pride keeps us from many forms
of obedience and God calls for total obedience.
 >>> You have some outstanding leaders!
Can you describe your philosophy of leadership, and how it has world practically at
Sandals?
My philosophy is to raise up as many leaders as will
allow me to raise them up. I am not intimidated by great leaders. God has not called them
to lead Sandals. I am not the smartest, nor the quickest, nor do I know the most about the
Bible here at Sandals Church. If I am the expert in all the areas of church life our
church is sunk before we ever leave the port. I am ok with better leaders being with at
Sandals.
>>> When we talked before you said that there
was no specific 'vision'. I find that hard to comprehend. Can you help me understand how
you operate?
Maybe We do have a vision. Our vision would be three
fold.
1. To be real with yourself.
2. To be real with others.
3. To be real with God.
That is my dream and our church seems to like it!
>>> What are some of the biggest lessons you
have learned through this churchplant?
You get a whole lot of hand shakes and not a lot of help!
You receive most of your criticism from other churches and family is more important than
ministry.
>>> Looking ten years into the future, what do
you see?
I will pastor a church of thousands and God will use
Sandals to be a part of his next wave. God will grab Xers and they will bring a revival of
obedience.
[<< To Sandals Photo report]
[>> To interview with Danielle Arnold]
 Matt
with his wife and two daughters.
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