Matt Comer

I was struck by the comments from Esau McCaulley on a recent Holy Post episode from: Refuse to be the avatar of other people's rage. Don't just yell about the things that upset you. Instead, work to build something constructive.

At church today, we will celebrate the lifelong ministry of our senior pastor, who is retiring. His 14 years with the congregation mirrors my own time there. I’ve had very few leaders I’ve been able to call “my pastor.” He’s one of them. I expect many (happy and bittersweet) tears today.

They also got their very own spiral bound copy of the Chicago Style Writers Manual! I’m sure they’re thrilled!

Someone stole a package off my doorstep sometime overnight on Friday. They very clearly needed their own copy of "Learning Theology: Tracking the Spirit of Christian Faith."

As a church staffer, the absolute best congregational leader/lay leader is the kind who sends reminders and offers check-ins. You saved me from dropping a big ball this weekend, Trish!

The wife of my work church's pastor shared this, and I just thought it was a powerful word: "When you learn how to sit at the same table as your Judas, you'll understand the love of Jesus Christ."

There is no way to overstate the trauma James Dobson caused for countless LGBTQ young people and adults. While he can no longer cause this pain, do not mistake his death as some end. The rabid hatred he proclaimed lives on, and it’s our responsibility to continue to counter it.

The Many Jobs of a Religious Leader Pastor, Priest, Imam, Rabbi, Chaplain, and everything else.

Ryan's article... www.graphsaboutreligion.com/p/the-many-j...

Great article from Ryan Burge today. I'm certainly among the 66% entering ministry from a different career. I'm also comfortable with what's most likely in my future — bivocational ministry — something many others are doing, too. What's normative isn't always what's most visible!

In his weekly letter, our senior pastor shared this old fortune cookie message he once got: “You belong to a select group of confused people figuring out why people are confused.” I quite like that!

Textbook lists are out for fall classes. Taking Introduction to Theological Education and Communication for Church & World this semester. Second year of seminary classes starts in just two weeks!

Trying to start my Monday after a long Sunday. Worship at the home church, Charlotte Pride Interfaith Service, monthly Common Table gathering. “Joyfully Exhausted” is best I can come up with to describe this feeling of simultaneous physical tiredness and spiritual fulfillment.

CREC is, like, what? 25,000 people at most? And, yet, it and its leader suck up so much airtime and keystrokes. Why give them all this free publicity?

I’m getting married in a little over 60 days from now, and, maybe I’m a little late to the game, but somehow it just hit me that, yeah, really, I’m actually old enough and adult enough to submit a marriage application? Wild! I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him ❤️

From the article: "I told some friends where I was going, and half the people I told had no clue where on earth Armenia even was." Ask that same group of conservative Christians and you just *know* they have very specific opinions on trans people and drag queens, though.

The unsolicited "Word from the Lord" our church received over the weekend from a "prophet" via email makes zero mention of anything one might associate with the biblical prophets. No justice or mercy for the poor and oppressed. Only anger, wrath, destruction. Methinks this is not from the Lord.

When you hear the word “Baptist,” don’t think Southern Baptist Convention. Instead, think American Baptist Churches USA or Alliance of Baptists, which filed suit this week against immigration raids at houses of worship, similar to another case by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship earlier this year.

Overheard convo from the church preschool…

Child: Follow me! I know this place like the back of my hand!
Adult: Really?
Child: Yeah! This way leads to up there and that way leads to over there!

Queer & Christian: Reclaiming our faith for today and tomorrow – Baptist News Global I recently found some of the answers in Roberston’s new book, Queer & Christian: Reclaiming the Bible, Our Faith, and Our Place at the Table.

Grateful for @baptistnews.com being willing to publish my opinion/reflection on @brandanrobertson.bsky.social’s new book, Queer & Christian. Grateful for the new words and widening framework Brandan has provided for my own ministry work.
baptistnews.com/article/quee...

So, um, is there actually a way to link out on a TikTok? Doesn’t even seem I can include a link other than IG or YT on my profile.

Anyways, my third experiment with a reel: Yes, liberal and progressive Christians do exist!

I’m kinda digging this!

So refreshing to hear! I don't think it's uncommon with folks like us under the age of ~40-50. My working theory is our generation doesn't carry the trauma of the SBC fundamentalist takeover. I've met many 30- and 40-something Baptists who yearn for a moderate-progressive evangelistic Baptist voice.

Amen! Agreed. I’ve been drafting a commentary to this effect. I keep getting hung up on the possibility that I’m overreaching on my constructive criticism, but I don’t think I am? Too many of us are shying from “Baptist” and simultaneously shrinking from “evangelism.”

TikTok/Reel no. 2: The Many Other Kinds of Baptists. (I’m themattcomer on TikTok; follow me! And give Dr. Stell a follow there too drwilliamstell)

Unless I’ve done something wrong, I am not a fan of being unable to access more advanced editing features when using the built-in stitch function.

Thanks! I’m looking forward to having fun and learning more!

Trying something new! My first reel on TikTok! Follow me there: themattcomer. I’m mostly experimenting with this for work, but I’m looking forward to being able to share my thoughts in a different way and learn along with everyone!

Common Table Charlotte Where Good Food Meets God's Grace. Meeting once monthly in Charlotte for free dinners, community, conversation, and connection.

I am beyond grateful for the opportunity I have to lead and serve with Common Table. (Check it out: commontableclt.com) Tonight’s gathering of diverse people with their own stories and experiences was yet another sure sign of the Holy Spirit moving in new and awesome ways.

I’m saying the original post is untrue. And, even if we granted it some truth, then the effects would have been blunted if we had representation in Parliament during the tension which led to the Revolution.

And yet that’s not even remotely true. And on the off chance it was true, our representatives in Parliament (oops!) could have advocated on our behalf.

Ending this week on a happy note, grateful for the support of my denomination’s grant for my second certificate course of study for the 2025-26 academic year. I’m at ~90% sure about applying for the seminary’s full MDiv program. Keep me in your prayers as I continue to discern.

Bethel Church removes teen from leadership role, outs him as gay to unaffiliated camp, family says Bryce Fech said he had spent the morning of June 27 rushing around Wal-Mart with his mom and sister to buy toiletries and care-package items for a week-long stay at Twin Lakes camp. Over an Olive Garden lunch, Bryce, 14, told his mom how much he was looking forward to returning to Twin Lakes, a Christian summer camp in Hillsboro, Indiana. His favorite memory of summer 2024 was going to Twin ...

What an absolutely horrific story of church leaders violating trust, especially that of a minor child... who isn't even in their pastoral care anymore! Why is Bethel children's director Melissa Anderson so obsessed with this 14-year-old boy?! Yikes!
www.yahoo.com/news/b...