Cathedrals of Connection is a breath of fresh air for anyone who feels both drawn to and disillusioned by faith. With honesty and gentle wisdom, Matt Mattson shows us how the sacred can be found in the everyday spaces between us, reminding us that the truest kind of church is built through love, presence, and relationship. This book is both an invitation and a gift.” —Esther Joy Goetz, Spiritual Director, author and cohost of the Deconstructing Mamas Podcast
“Have you ever walked into a room and had your breath taken away by the beauty and said, ‘This is a sacred space' Or maybe you came upon a vista, were inspired, and thought, ‘This is a sacred place.’ Well, the book you’re about to read is like that room, and it’s like that view. This is a sacred book. The setting is this: The author, Matt, and you, the reader, are having a conversation at a coffee shop about spiritual things. I read the book with my morning coffee. I read about Matt’s amazing adventures around the world, as well as his encounters with the kids on his block. I was underlining and dog-earing the pages. As I sipped my coffee, I felt I was being guided on a spiritual pilgrimage—Matt Mattson and I, with a cup of coffee and a book, building a cathedral of connection.” —Rev. Dr. Steve Poos-Benson, author of Sent to Soar and The Jesus Path
“Cathedrals of Connection invites readers to imagine the tables we share as safe sanctuaries for one another. In Matthew’s work, he shows how the connections we cultivate are made sacred through the stories we live—brought together by promoting openness & authenticity. Matthew’s conversational tone is tender, tempered, and trustworthy. He models the kind of thoughtful dialogue that our current cultural moment desperately needs.” —Liz Daye, Hospital Chaplain & Theologian
“At a time where we are relentlessly pummeled by technology, Cathedrals of Connection invites us to remember and embrace our humanity. While doing that, Matt consistently and kindly, and I think accurately, uses memoir, scripture, and reflection to point out that embracing our humanity and making connections with people is actually sacred. This book made me shout ‘Amen!’, this book made me cry, this book gave me hope, and this book made me want to drive to the author’s city and have coffee and conversation. In a culture of immense religious upheaval, Matt invites us to recalibrate our compasses toward sacred connection. If you’re looking for a deep dive into doctrine or theology, this is not the book for you. If you’re looking for how we can be more like Jesus, this is a solid read.” —Dr. Clark Roush, York Universitychair of the Division of Biblical Studies & Humanities
“By laying out the foundation for how we can better connect with each other and find God in our midst, Cathedrals of Connection provides a new way to approach church in the 21st century. Mattson has taken what could be a ponderous topic and turned it into an intimate conversation between himself and the reader using humor, humility, and honest introspection. I recommend this book for everyone looking for ways to better understand the why of their connection with each other and with God.” —Ruth Ann Nelson. Lay Pastoral Leader and Senior Warden at St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Aurora, Colorado
“Cathedrals of Connection is the conversation we are all longing to have. It offers a vulnerable exploration filled with curiosity and wonder about the big questions we all grapple with regarding our personal lives and the greater tapestry of existence. Matt Mattson courageously invites the reader to engage in this sacred dialogue, encouraging us to reflect deeply on our shared humanity. Through touching stories and insightful reflections, he creates a space where we can confront our fears and aspirations together, fostering genuine connections along the way. This book is not merely a read; it presents a meaningful invitation to experience the everyday church of our lives.” —Rev. Dani Hillyer, Associate Pastor of Cultivation and Innovation at Grace Presbyterian Church in Highlands Ranch, Colorado
“In his moving piece, Cathedrals of Connection, Matt Mattson expertly points out that sacred spaces are not limited to physical buildings but rather exist in the dynamic interplay between people's hearts. With genuine warmth and wisdom, Mattson shares stories from her life and spiritual insights, providing a new way of looking at the mundane that can lead to greater connection and even a rediscovery of the divine. A more profound and less complicated faith can be discovered in the ‘cathedrals of connection’ that we construct with each encounter; this book extends an invitation to accept this faith.” —Tia Battle, early reviewer
“I’m easily bored by books whose every word I agree with. This, thankfully, is not one of those books. Instead, it's an invitation into honest dialogue—the kind that risks disagreement and resists cheap resolution, leaving room for messy faith to grow and breathe. Both in person and on the page, conversations with Matt leave me more drawn to God than I was when we began.” —Gregory Coles, author of No Longer Strangers and The Limits of My World
“This book is not a Christian, buzzword-filled, impractical, "just pray better" kind of book. Matt gets it. He has rolled his eyes during sermons, walked away from churches, lived with profound doubt, and yearned for sacredness despite it all. If you are seeking to reconnect with God after leaving the church (or while currently going through the motions on Sunday mornings), Cathedrals of Connection is your guide to cultivating sacred moments in your day-to-day interactions with others. Divine things happen outside the walls of a church, and after reading this book, I will better notice and create more sacred moments.” —Rev. Bethany Peerbolte, TikTok Pastor @RevBethany & Founding Pastor of OurTapestry
“If you’re looking for a written space that can somehow balance the world of Bible verse with spiritual autonomy—a conversation truly driven by curiosity and questions—then you have the right pages in front of you.” —Lizz Enns Petters, writer and cohost of the Deconstructing Mamas Podcast
"Do you know how to recognize a sacred interaction? In Cathedrals of Connection, Matt G. Mattson is like a tour guide of the soul walking us through the long-dormant, perhaps sealed-up rooms of the heart. Using story, metaphor, and scripture to reveal the vital spiritual connections we share, Matt shows us the unexpected ways that God is shaping us through others. This book is a gift to the disciple, a daily journey towards reconnection in a world committed to tearing us apart. He reveals the unceasing movement of God to restore the sacred connections between us. As you sit with at the metaphorical table with Matt, becoming more aware of the presence of God in others, I believe that you will hear God speaking to you in a new and unexpected way: through His presence in the people around you." —Tommy Preson Phillips, Lead Pastor at Watermark Church in Tampa, FL, and Co-Author of Invisible Jesus
"Through his writing, Matt invites us into sacred spaces in the everyday ordinary and extraordinary and encourages us to invite holy companionship along the way. With a tangible warmth and love that can be rare to encounter in print, Cathedrals of Connection offers a way of seeing and building and being the Church anew and creating God-dreamed community. Matt lets us know we are not alone in this world, and gives us a way to invite others to know this too." —Rev. Jeya So, 1001 New Worshiping Communities, PC(USA)
“The first time I talked with Matthew Mattson, one thing was clear: He is passionate about helping people find meaningful, transformative connections. Cathedrals of Connection distills that passion into a practical and pastoral guide to discovering what he calls 'the simplest church on earth,' the space between us. If you are longing for that kind of connection, don’t miss this book!” —Rev. Josh Scott, author of Bible Stories for Grownups and Context: Putting Scripture in its Place, and lead pastor at GracePointe Church
"Matt Mattson has the spiritual gift of imagination, and in Cathedrals of Connection, we see that gift come alive. Mattson blends his curiosity with his compassion, and his writing makes you feel as if you have a spiritual companion walking alongside you. In an isolated world, fraught with ruptured relationships, Mattson invites you into his imagination so that we all might dream of a connected world made whole." —Jenai Auman, writer, artist, and author of Othered
"I was thoroughly captivated by this book. Some authors possess the rare gift of weaving an artistic tapestry of words that immerses the reader completely, while others excel at distilling insight and wisdom that lingers long after the final page. It’s a rare and remarkable talent to do both—consistently, effectively, and with such authenticity. Matt is one of those rare authors. From beginning to end, I found myself engaged, challenged, and deeply moved by his ability to tell not only his own story, but in many ways, mine as well. This is a masterful work—one I will return to often, each time discovering something new and inspiring." —David Gutierrez, C12 Chair
