Mike Petrow: The Path of Descent
Today we’re joined by Mike Petrow, who serves as the Director of Formation, Faculty Relations, and Theological Foundations at the Center for Action and Contemplation. The CAC is a nonprofit founded by Father Richard Rohr that introduces seekers to the contemplative Christian path of transformation.
Mike is intimately involved with the CAC’s Living School, a core educational offering from the CAC that last year offered a course called Essentials of Engaged Contemplation that Tim and Aubrey participated in. Mike is one of the primary hosts in the conversations that make up much of the program, often conversing with people like Richard Rohr and our friend Brian McLaren. Frankly, we found the work that Mike and the rest of the CAC team did on this course to be truly life-changing and engaging. It has been one of the most uplifting and transformative spiritual experiences we’ve had in our lives. In addition to his work at the CAC, Mike holds multiple degrees (including a PhD) in psychology, mythology, and religious studies.
This conversation is a sample of just how deeply insightful Mike is. He invited us to see curiosity as something “implanted in our hearts by God”—not as a threat to faith, but as an invitation to let the divine meet us in unexpected ways. He challenged the idea that “community is formed around uniformity of belief” and instead argued that real connection happens when we learn to be with each other, even in our differences — that everyone belongs, even, or perhaps especially, when they fall somehow outside the norm. And he brought so much depth to the idea of the wounded healer —“if you deeply commit to your own healing,” Mike told us, “at a certain point you realize it’s not just for you.”
In one of the most powerful moments of this conversation, Mike describes a moment of profound loss—sitting at his mother’s bedside as she passed away—and then, just hours later, holding his newborn niece for the first time. These moments of symmetry revealed a truth that is at the heart of this entire conversation: that loss, and grief, and pain carve out a space in our hearts that can eventually be filled with love, joy and connection.
We hope this conversation offers the same sense of healing, hope, and clarity that it did for us.
Has the work of Faith Matters had an impact on your life? Send us a video!
We would love to hear how Faith Matters has impacted you. You can send us a video by texting it to 617-999-8066, emailing it to us at info@faithmatters.org, or by filling out this google form.
Study “Come Follow Me” with Faith Matters
What does it mean for all things to be done in order?
How have others navigated the tension between prophetic authority and personal conviction? Is it ever okay to try to change the Church?
How should we think about "the Gathering"?
What does the Gathering of Israel look like in the 21st century? What does it mean for all things to be spiritual? How can we think about the Second Coming?
To receive Come Follow Me resource roundups from Faith Matters in your inbox, first be sure you are subscribed to the Faith Matters Substack, then go to manage your subscription and turn on notifications for “Come Follow Me”.
COMING UP AT THE COMPASS
Friends of Faith Matters and paid Substack subscribers get complimentary access to livestreams and recordings of The Big Questions series—a link will be emailed to you 24 hours before the event, and all recordings are saved here. Thank you for your support!
Our Compass events are subsidized and made possible by private rentals of the space for wedding receptions, business retreats, birthday parties, and more. If you or someone you know has an event coming up, consider supporting Faith Matters by recommending The Compass!
Stay up-to-date with future Faith Matters events at The Compass by subscribing to our special Compass Events newsletter.
THIS WEEK IN WAYFARE:
