Why We Should Care About Matt Chandler’s Cancer

I JUST POSTED THIS AT MY CHURCH PLANTING BLOG:

As most of you now know, it has just been released that Matt Chandler’s pathology report indicated bad news.

From his church website:

“On Tuesday, Dr. Barnett informed Matt and Lauren that the findings of the pathology report revealed a malignant brain tumor that was not encapsulated. The surgery to remove the tumor, the doctor said, was an extremely positive first step; however, because of the nature of the tumor, he was not able to remove all of it.

Matt, who is being released from the hospital today, is meeting with a neuro-oncologist this week to outline the next steps of the recovery process. There is a range of treatment possibilities but the exact course of action has not yet been determined. He will continue outpatient rehab.”

In light of this news, and the last few of weeks since the news of Chandler’s illness broke, I have begun to reflect on why we are and should be so concerned about this situation. I believe there are at least three reasons.

Because Matt is a friend to many of us.

Though I do not know Matt very well, nor do I want to appear to sound closer to him than I actually am, I have gotten to know Matt through recent Acts 29 events and have found him to be even more impressive off the stage than on. And if you have ever heard Matt preach, you know that is saying a lot.

Though Matt is obviously an uniquely gifted and powerful communicator of the Gospel, he is also an unusually humble and approachable man as well.

Even at our first meeting at a recent Acts 29 Boot Camp in Houston, he graciously gave me a good chunk of time to talk about preaching, family, coaching young planters and leading a growing church. He was also extremely complimentary of this new ministry and encouraged the work that we are seeking to do here. This kind of exchange can be quite rare for someone with Matt’s high profile and busy schedule. I was, and am, supremely thankful for the time we spent together and what he taught me as we sat across a table and talked in Houston and again in Louisville just a few weeks ago. If you missed that conversation, you can watch it HERE and HERE.

I know that I am not alone in sharing a heightened degree of personal concern for Matt’s well-being because of similar interactions with him along the way.

But whether you have had the privilege to engage Matt personally or not, all should all be concerned for him for a couple of other reasons as well.

Because God has raised Matt up to be an example in his suffering.

Consider this tweet from before the results were released:

Path report is 2ndary at best…good report doesn’t mean much, bad report doesn’t mean anything…my days r numbered and nt by ths report

This tweet went to more than 19,000 people. His pre-surgery video has been watched thousands of times. This is a man who GETS the Gospel and the Sovereignty of God not just for preaching on Sunday but for bad news from a pathologist on Tuesday. It is obvious that God is raising him up even when he is down for the advance of the Gospel and the glory of His name. May we all be faithful to pray that he would suffer well and herald the goodness of God no matter what lies ahead.

The final reason I believe we should care is perhaps the most poignant.

Because Matt Chandler is our brother.

Though our digital culture might tempt us to think otherwise, Matt is not just a well-known preacher that we admire from afar that we could be concerned about losing from the world stage.

He is a member of our spiritual family facing the biggest trial in his life and it should drive us to prayer and dependence upon Christ on his behalf.

Consider Paul’s commands from the Scriptures:

“If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” 1 Corinthians 12:26

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15

Oh that God would give us the grace to fulfill these commands on Matt’s behalf, love our own families and flocks with as much passion as Jesus will give us and to examine our own lives and their potential brevity.

And may we respond to God’s call to us to pray mightily. To ask our churches to pray mightily. To pray that Matt would be healed and suffer well until he is on earth or in heaven.

And may God would grace us all to care about Matt Chandler’s cancer not because he is famous but because he is family.

If you would like to pray specifically, consider these directives from the church website:

• Wisdom for all the coming decisions
• Strength and peace to endure
• The kids’ (Audrey, Reid and Norah) hearts; pray the Lord is merciful as they process and that their little hearts do not grow embittered
• The Chandlers and The Village would suffer well because of the gospel and for the sake of Christ’s name

If you wish, send cards and letters to Matt and Lauren at 2101 Justin Road, Flower Mound, TX 75028.