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Becoming Reverend: A diary
Meet Woody.Former journalist.Die-hard Oasis fan.High energy.Low sperm count.Training to be a vicar. Obviously.Matt Woodcock's frank, funny real-life diaries reveal what it was like for him to train as a vicar while struggling against all odds to become a father. In them he lays bare his joys and struggles as he attempts to reconcile his calling as a vicar with his life as a party-loving journalist, footie-freak and incorrigible extrovert. Becoming Reverend is a compelling and original account of how faith can work in the midst of a messy life, combining family, fertility, faith and friendship with the story of a divine - but unlikely - calling.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 3, 2016
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41 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 10, 2017
An intriguing and often hilarious account of Matt Woodcock’s decision to become an Anglican priest. Written in diary format, Matt writes of his own ‘road to Damascus’ revelation – on the A19 road to Selby and follows his progress over the next two years as he comes to terms with his calling. As befits a former journalist, Matt writes lucidly, voicing his doubts with an awe-inspiring honesty, which is all too familiar with most of us. He’d the first to admit that he’s outspoken and this habit often gets him into trouble. Also described is the struggle he and his wife, Anna, have to overcome their childlessness. While some people may find this disturbing, it’s part of his innate honesty. I found this an inspiring read and one which can be dipped into time and again.
April 6, 2017
Funny and relatable. Poignant in places too. Raises a lot of questions about the place of priests and the church throughout the Anglican Communion. The irrepressible spirit of the author shines through.
February 23, 2017
This was a light-hearted book about an unconventional ordinand. It was lively and interesting, but it did make me question the system for training C of E vicars. Matt Woodcock had a lot on his plate - he was studying part-time as far as I could tell, commuting to Durham from York whilst his wife was trying to cope with his decision, their problems with starting a family and the potential move from her ideal home close to her parents to wherever Matt's calling took him. I did feel that Matt was incredibly insensitive at times - but perhaps that was his honesty and he was harder on himself than on others.
December 13, 2020
Interesting but also frustrating. Hardly surprising given our different perspectives
February 7, 2019
This really was a great read, me and my husband sat taking turns to read this book aloud to one another, and we truly devoured it for its witty humour, real life to the bone truths and great humanity in the face of what is a divine calling mixed with the struggle of what that meant to his life and family.
This book has it all in revealing that vicars are human too!
A sentiment often passed over in today’s world in favour of being excited to watch the holy then thou fall from grace.
Being a vicars daughter (my mother a vicar of 16 years) and now possibly a soon to be vicars wife. (Husband is going through the dreaded Bap panel now)
I have grown up in the world of dog collars, mitres, politics and religion, and can hand on heart say it’s refreshing to see someone writing such an honest account of what it means to be religious in struggle, what it means to be spiritually guided against the planned course of your life.
And to seek out God In not just our struggles but to celebrate with him the victories!
I can understand why it’s marmite to some clergy, given that there’s such a wide range of different personalities and experiences hidden behind that dog collar! But for me this was exactly what a new generation of religious and non religious people need to see! We are all human! Yes even the vicars!
Well done Matt woodcock, it was a pleasure watching you preach at the ordinands evening in December 2018, and then reading your book.
Also I think my husband now has a little crush on Matt woodcock as his love for oasis and his clarity in speaking about God quickly added him to the top of his list of people he would most love to grab a beer with.
This book has it all in revealing that vicars are human too!
A sentiment often passed over in today’s world in favour of being excited to watch the holy then thou fall from grace.
Being a vicars daughter (my mother a vicar of 16 years) and now possibly a soon to be vicars wife. (Husband is going through the dreaded Bap panel now)
I have grown up in the world of dog collars, mitres, politics and religion, and can hand on heart say it’s refreshing to see someone writing such an honest account of what it means to be religious in struggle, what it means to be spiritually guided against the planned course of your life.
And to seek out God In not just our struggles but to celebrate with him the victories!
I can understand why it’s marmite to some clergy, given that there’s such a wide range of different personalities and experiences hidden behind that dog collar! But for me this was exactly what a new generation of religious and non religious people need to see! We are all human! Yes even the vicars!
Well done Matt woodcock, it was a pleasure watching you preach at the ordinands evening in December 2018, and then reading your book.
Also I think my husband now has a little crush on Matt woodcock as his love for oasis and his clarity in speaking about God quickly added him to the top of his list of people he would most love to grab a beer with.
November 27, 2021
Matt Woodcock is an extrovert on a mission. This diary of 2014-2016 recounts his spiritual journey of training to be a vicar, his personal journey of learning (not always very willingly or successfully) to be less emotionally myopic and self-opinionated, and his intimate journey (sometimes over-shared!) of conquering a low sperm count to being a proud if not always effective father of twins. Irritating, flawed, deeply masculine and very human, Matt is not your average cleric. Yet he’s also disarmingly honest about his failings. Correspondingly, he’s also heartwarmingly keen to share Christ’s love for all of flawed and vulnerable humanity.
February 13, 2019
TL;DR: A down-to-earth, very readable account of what it's like to become a vicar in the Church of England.
My wife recommended this to me as a way of coming to grips with what it will be when she goes for training. It's all about the process, and very little about the actual theology of priesthood or even leadership in the church. For my sake, that was probably for the best :P
Matt Woodcock is very open about both his joys and his tribulations during his time of training, and the difficulties of relating to lots of different kinds of people, so ultimately this is a very human story.
My wife recommended this to me as a way of coming to grips with what it will be when she goes for training. It's all about the process, and very little about the actual theology of priesthood or even leadership in the church. For my sake, that was probably for the best :P
Matt Woodcock is very open about both his joys and his tribulations during his time of training, and the difficulties of relating to lots of different kinds of people, so ultimately this is a very human story.
October 2, 2017
A refreshingly honest account of one man's journey towards ordination, through college, IVF treatment, and eventual fatherhood. I particularly appreciated his honesty regarding his own behaviour, doubts, and growth in faith.
February 28, 2021
Loved this book, the honesty from Matt during his time training to be a vicar is refreshing. I'm very much looking forward to reading his next book, especially as he starts his new career in Hull, my hometown
January 22, 2018
as someone exploring a a calling into minstry I love this book don't rush it let every world sink in love it !!
November 23, 2021
Great fun. Very honest. Touching. Look forward to reading book 2.
November 26, 2023
I really enjoyed this books. Matt was very honest throughout, very spiritual but also very normal - will definitely keep this and reread when I need encouragement 😍📖😍
January 21, 2017
Based on the author's diary of life at theological college in Durham. It's an easy read but with some food for thought. I'm fascinated by other people's lives especially in slightly closed worlds and this satisfied that side of me. The odd thing about being a vicar is that being a Christian becomes your job and and I think that must be quite complicated!
October 25, 2019
Thank you so much to the publishers and netgalley for the opportunity to review this book xx
When I saw #BecomingReverend over on @NetGalley I knew I had to get in touch with @CHPublishingUK. I've read about @revmattwoodcock in my local newspaper so I knew about his beer festivals
When I saw #BecomingReverend over on @NetGalley I knew I had to get in touch with @CHPublishingUK. I've read about @revmattwoodcock in my local newspaper so I knew about his beer festivals
November 22, 2016
Thoroughly enjoyable, with several laugh out loud moments and moments of thought-provoking spirituality.
November 26, 2016
This is an entertaining book about a life and about a spiritual journey. It is amusing but not superficial. I found it very moving in parts and I was left with much to reflect on.
December 26, 2016
Loved it
Brilliantly laugh out loud aft times and tearful at others. Couldn't put it down and read it in two days. Gutted it ended
Brilliantly laugh out loud aft times and tearful at others. Couldn't put it down and read it in two days. Gutted it ended
March 26, 2017
Ver y good
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Hsu x b,Blvd ugh c b high rd Hugh f Hoff Fulbright gunfight got h clutch gunfight tougher thighs hanging by yachting height high
January 6, 2019
scarily riffing my own life. thoroughly entertaining, although a bit cringy overshare at times
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews