“Having Nothing, Possessing Everything”
Starting January 16th
7-8:30 PM
Pastor Mike Mather arrived in Indianapolis thinking that he was
going to serve the poor. But after his church’s community lost nine
young men to violence in a few short months, Mather came to see
that the poor didn’t need his help—he needed theirs.
This is the story of how one church found abundance in a com-
munity of material poverty. Viewing people—not programs, finances, or service models—as their most valuable resource moved church members beyond their own walls and out into the streets, where they discovered folks rich in strength, talents, determination, and love.
Join us for mutual support and lively discussion of our faith
and life together!
— Pastor Eric
- Preface: Finding Riches Where I Had Thought There Was Nothing
- Into the Inner City
- Hidden in Plain Sight
- Noticing People’s Gifts
- Getting Out of the Way
- Making Sense of Money having
- Practicing Hospitality
- Taking Learning Journeys
- The Lights of Broadway
- Epilogue: Two Things Became Visible Afterword
Reviews
Craig Dykstra — Duke Divinity School
“What does it look like to live as if the gospel were true? This animating question has inspired and driven the remarkable ministries of the two urban congregations that Mike Mather has served during his three decades of pastoral ministry. He tells powerful, life-changing stories about seeing abundance where no one expects it and finding treasures in people and neighborhoods that most of us typically dismiss out of hand. Having Nothing,Possessing Everything is powerful and true at every level.”
Heidi Neumark — author of Breathing Space: A Spiritual Journey in the South Bronx
“Michael Mather shares his journey as an urban pastor through decades of personal and communal
transformations that challenge stale assumptions about want and plenty. With humility and generosity, Mather shares an abundance of hard-won insight, helpful ideas, and inspiration for church leaders longing to approach their work with fresh eyes and to flourish in unforeseen ways.”
About the Author
Michael Mather is pastor of Broadway United Methodist Church in Indianapolis. He is also on the faculty of the Asset- Based Community Development Institute at DePaul University. As a preacher-consultant-storyteller, he speaks all over the country about community development and urban ministry.