# Episode 43: Becoming a Friendlier Church with Matthew D. Kim

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/theology-girls-podcast-7472338/episode-43-becoming-a-friendlier-church-with-matthew-d-kim.md
Podcast: [Theology Girls Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/theology-girls-podcast-7472338)
Published: 2026-05-19T11:03:00+00:00
Episode link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jonathan-goldstein7/episodes/Episode-43-Becoming-a-Friendlier-Church-with-Matthew-D--Kim-e3j9o45
Audio file: https://anchor.fm/s/1087bdfa0/podcast/play/119905861/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-4-18%2F2ca5578c-72e3-e13c-7424-9bf84807631e.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/theology-girls-podcast-7472338/episodes/episode-43-becoming-a-friendlier-church-with-matthew-d-kim
Duration seconds: 2348

## Resource

Today we are sharing a conversation with pastor, professor, and author Matthew Kim about his new book “Becoming a Friendlier Church.” In this conversation, Matthew and Katy talk through why most churches perceive themselves as friendly even when that is not the felt experience of visitors, and how often minority groups have often been made to feel left out in church spaces. Matt discusses how pastors can also practice inclusivity in their preaching without compromising their values. Listen to our bonus episode with Matthew on Substack where we discuss multi-ethnic churches and being friendly out of necessity versus predominantly white churches putting up walls out of convenience and the theological implications that holds. Make sure you follow Matthew on Instagram @Matthew.d.kim Purchase a copy of “Becoming a Friendlier Church” by clicking here. Episode Sponsors: Kairos Classroom Kindred Photo Co. - tell her the Theology Girls sent you for 10% off your shoot Join our Summer Book Club by clicking here. Grab a ticket to our Theology Girls Bible Quiz Trivia night on June 12th for just $25 each by clicking here. Make sure you rate, review and subscribe to the podcast anywhere you listen and follow us on Instagram @thetheologygirls

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## Transcript

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