Hi,
I’m Matt Steele. Welcome to changeroom!
I've always been fascinated by human behaviour. What drives it. What shapes it. And how we change it.
As a market researcher, pastor, coach and pastoral supervisor I have tried to understand human behaviour not simply for the sake of knowing - but because I long to change.
I’ve been blessed to be part of some wonderful communities that have helped me change - my family of origin, school and other learning communities, teams in the workplace, and church communities have provided fertile soil that has helped me grow.
Most recently, in studying and now working with Bowen theory, I’ve been working to be clearer about my convictions, calmer in my reaction to relational pressures, and connected in healthier ways to the people in my life.
Along the way, I’m noticing I’m getting more curious about what other people think and more confident to share what I think without worrying quite as much about keeping people happy. I’ve also noticed that this kind of work seems to happen better when we do it together. So I invite you to grow with me.
My qualifications
B.Bus at University of Technology Sydney
M.Div at Sydney Missionary and Bible College
2 years F/T study at Moore Theological College
Ordained as deacon in the Anglican Church
Certificate in Bowen Family Systems Theory & Application at The Family Systems Institute
Graduate Certificate in Professional (Pastoral) Supervision at Charles Sturt University - Dean’s Award
Associate member of the Australasian Association of Supervision (AAOS) . My supervision work is governed by AAOS ethical guidelines
My public liability and professional indemnity insurance is provided through ACS Financial
My story
I’m a son, brother, friend and neighbour. I’m also a husband and a dad to three beautiful young people.
I grew up with parents who loved the Lord Jesus and taught me about God’s love for me. I’ve been growing up (slowly!) into this faith which I was born into throughout my life. And God keeps opening up new doors for me to walk through.
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After high school I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do and fell into a business degree at UTS. Little did I know it would open a door to what has become a life long passion in trying to understand human behaviour.
My first jobs were in market research and I realised that one of the things I love most is asking people about the things that matter most to them.
My other passion is helping people grow to know and love the Lord Jesus and to live in a way which is more and more consistent and integrated with their faith. So after 5 years in market research I left to study theology at Sydney Missionary & Bible College.
This led to opportunities to serve in churches in Sydney, first as a kids & youth pastor, and then, after some more study and getting ordained as an Anglican minister, to pastoring in a wonderful community in Sydney’s inner west. It was immensely rewarding. But it was also very challenging work.
In 2017, when a new congregation we planted wasn’t growing as I’d hoped I started struggling with anxiety. But this opened another door. I saw a counsellor who used a framework for understanding human behaviour called Bowen Family Systems Theory and I found it gave me new ways of seeing and thinking about the way I manage myself in relationships and this gave me new resources for learning to function in ways that were more integrated with my faith in Jesus.
In 2019 we moved to Newcastle for my wife’s work and I stepped out of church ministry for a while. It seemed like a good chance to work on my emotional and spiritual maturity. So in 2022-2023 I completed a Certificate in Bowen Family Systems Theory & Application at The Family Systems Institute and launched changeroom.
To my surprise, this has opened yet another door. I now have the joy of taking the things I learned in trying to grow my own maturity, and using them to help others grow to be more effective, healthy and faithful in all of life.