Rev. Dr. Matta Ghaly

​The Rev. Dr. Matta Ghaly (they/them) is the founder of Flourishing Systems, a coaching and facilitation practice that utilizes interdisciplinary systems-focused principles and interventions to support individuals and organizations in their flourishing.

As a religious professional, Matta served as an interim and settled minister in a variety of congregational contexts while directing the candidacy (ordination) process for the Oregon Synod. They currently serve as the regional candidacy and leadership manager, curating the ordination and first call processes in Region One (Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the largest Lutheran denomination in the United States and the Caribbean. Through this ministry, Matta aspires to collaborate with judicatories and seminaries on facilitating a spacious and liberating container for discernment and formation that supports, nurtures, and resources emerging religious leaders.

On their educational journey, Matta studied depth psychology and critical theory as an undergraduate student. After discerning a call to ministry, they completed a Master of Arts (with honors) in liberation theology at the Graduate Theological Union (Berkeley, CA), a Master of Divinity at Luther Seminary (St. Paul, MN), and a doctoral degree (with honors) in the theologies and practices of Liberation at United Seminary (St. Paul, MN). In their dissertation, Matta constructed a counter-oppressive and trauma-informed liturgical theology of liberation, a new hermeneutical synthesis for understanding collective ritual as a liturgical enactment of liberation theology that mobilizes spiritual communities to engage in social justice, intergenerational healing, and systems-repair through sacred organizing. As a life-long learner, Matta is currently pursuing professional coach credentialing, psychedelic facilitation training, and DEI-facilitator certification through Cornell University.

Matta lives with their partner Quinn, a mental health therapist, and their plant-children, on the stolen lands of the Multnomah peoples in Portland, Oregon. They love watching Steven Universe, reading magickal books, and completing firsthand research on the best plain-glazed donut in the continental United States. They hope to continue weaving their parts, paths and communities for the life and liberation of the world.