Pastor Matthew Goodman has it all.

But his new assistant’s true reason for being there will change his world forever.

About

The only person who can uncover his secret has arrived. It’s 2006, and Calvary Community Church of Chicago needs a new administrative assistant. Pastor Matthew Goodman examines possible new hire 25-year-old Trish Card.

Her somber eyes, beautiful and lake-clear, watch him. What he doesn’t know about Trish and her true reason for appearing will dismantle his world irrevocably.

(Soul Seasons, 2020; InterVarsity, 2024)

The Surface of Water is about a megachurch pastor, a famous evangelist's son, living in a world beyond his control.

It's also a story about a young woman trying to understand her complicated life.

In the #ChurchToo era, this novel invites readers to see life's shadowed edges—isolation, power, and abuse—illumined by the light of truth.

  • “The Surface of Water is a complex, richly-interwoven story exploring the subtle—and not so subtle—allures of power and wealth.”

    Gary D. Schmidt, Newbery Honor,

    Okay for Now, The Wednesday Wars

  • “An intelligent and worthy novel!”

    Hugh Cook, literary fiction writer

  • “Pastor Goodman presents readers with a new archetype for a pastor. The ending is one that I will think about for some time.”

    Bruce Holland Rogers, Pushcart Award winner

To read an excerpt from The Surface of Water, click here.

Discussion Questions

  • If this story awoke you to an aspect of God, spiritual truth, or being human, what did it alert you to or remind you about?

  • What other themes do you see in this novel?

  • Water has symbolic meaning throughout the story. What meaning would you say it has? Give examples.

  • When you finished, what social justice issue did you feel more aware of?

  • If you were Trish and found yourself in this tough situation, what would you do the same? Different? What motivated her caution?

  • Matthew Goodman had gone dead spiritually. As he reawakens, he missteps in his relationship to Trish. How might you explain it?

  • Goodman shows his humanity behind the image. Some Calvary members preferred his image. Why might we do this to spiritual leaders?

  • How do you explain Trish’s reluctance to pursue a relationship with Andrés?

  • María is known as “the hands of God” at Trentwood, and her hands bear scars that show one way this life cost her. How does she understand the suffering she’s endured?

  • In your opinion, does Pastor Goodman live at the end—or does he die? What makes you conclude this?

  • Christian culture can depart from true Christianity. How would you name the dark places in Christian culture we encounter in The Surface of Water?

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