260. Resilient Leadership After the LA Fires, with Matt Colwell

Mar 18, 2025

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Matt Colwell, Senior Pastor at Knox Presbyterian Church in Pasadena, California, shares his raw, personal journey of losing his home to the Eaton Fire in Altadena and how he has continued to shepherd a congregation facing the same devastating loss. This conversation unpacks the layers of adaptive leadership in the midst of crisis, the importance of building community before the crisis happens, and the powerful ways we can discover God's presence and provision when life goes off the rails.

THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

Matt Colwell shares his experience of losing his home in the Los Angeles Eaton Fire and navigating the aftermath.
The fire in Altadena caused widespread destruction, with only one house surviving in Matt Colwell's neighborhood.
Matt Colwell narrates the sequence of events during the fire evacuation, detailing his family's actions and decisions.
Matt Colwell explains the mixed emotions of shock and disbelief, and how it unfolded as he processed the loss.
The unexpected loss of a home can be overwhelming as individuals process the emotional and logistical aspects.
Matt Colwell expresses the challenges of balancing personal recovery with pastoral responsibilities.
As a pastor, losing a home can provide unique empathy and understanding when caring for others experiencing loss.
The power of community and compassion plays a significant role in Matt Colwell's healing process after the fire.
Preaching shortly after a personal crisis can be both healing and hopeful, as experienced by Matt Colwell.
Leading adaptively requires recognizing and focusing on core values while responding to rapid changes.
Matt Colwell emphasizes the ongoing challenge and necessity of long-term rebuilding and recovery efforts.
The impact of climate change on the frequency and severity of natural disasters is a critical issue to address.
Adaptive leadership in crisis involves leveraging support networks, personal resilience, and spiritual practices to navigate and recover from challenges.
Establishing and maintaining community connections proves invaluable when dealing with large-scale crises.
Matt Colwell discusses the collaboration with his neighborhood to support collective recovery and rebuilding efforts.

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