Matt Comer
@themattcomer.bsky.social
Uncle. Winston-Salem born. Adopted Charlottean. Baptist. Advocate for ‘the least of these.’ Church comms. Seminary student. 🏳️🌈 he/him
Writings: mattcomer.substack.com
Writings: mattcomer.substack.com
Pinned
Matt Comer
@themattcomer.bsky.social
· Jan 26
Lots of new followers recently, so a short re-introduction:
👑 Charlotte, NC
🐪 Born in Winston-Salem, NC
⛪️ Baptist, work at a UMC as
💻 Communications director
📚 Seminary student
🫏 Democrat
🏳️🌈 Gay/queer (he/him)
🪻 Humble flower gardener
⛰️ Appalachian Mountains
🪕 Country/Bluegrass
👑 Charlotte, NC
🐪 Born in Winston-Salem, NC
⛪️ Baptist, work at a UMC as
💻 Communications director
📚 Seminary student
🫏 Democrat
🏳️🌈 Gay/queer (he/him)
🪻 Humble flower gardener
⛰️ Appalachian Mountains
🪕 Country/Bluegrass
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.
September 4, 2025 at 10:49 AM
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.
August 24, 2025 at 10:54 AM
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.
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."
August 23, 2025 at 10:30 PM
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!
August 22, 2025 at 12:55 PM
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."
August 21, 2025 at 11:15 PM
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.
August 21, 2025 at 2:37 PM
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.
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!
August 21, 2025 at 12:21 PM
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!
August 15, 2025 at 12:05 PM
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!
August 12, 2025 at 10:21 AM
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.
August 11, 2025 at 10:34 AM
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?
August 9, 2025 at 1:15 PM
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 ❤️
August 9, 2025 at 12:13 AM
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.
August 8, 2025 at 3:15 PM
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.
August 4, 2025 at 1:47 PM
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.
July 30, 2025 at 12:26 PM
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!
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!
July 28, 2025 at 3:35 PM
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!
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!
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...
baptistnews.com/article/quee...
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.
baptistnews.com
July 21, 2025 at 5:26 PM
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...
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!
Anyways, my third experiment with a reel: Yes, liberal and progressive Christians do exist!
I’m kinda digging this!
July 21, 2025 at 3:10 PM
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!
Anyways, my third experiment with a reel: Yes, liberal and progressive Christians do exist!
I’m kinda digging this!
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.
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.
July 20, 2025 at 8:44 PM
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.
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.
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!
July 19, 2025 at 1:54 PM
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!
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.
Common Table Charlotte
Where Good Food Meets God's Grace. Meeting once monthly in Charlotte for
free dinners, community, conversation, and connection.
commontableclt.com
July 14, 2025 at 2:14 AM
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.
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.
July 12, 2025 at 12:18 AM
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.
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...
www.yahoo.com/news/b...
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 ...
www.yahoo.com
July 11, 2025 at 2:04 PM
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...
www.yahoo.com/news/b...
Popped in to one of the final team planning meetings before this year’s Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade. Looking forward to a great interfaith service this year. Also, be sure to give a quick thanks to any pride board, staff, or volunteers you know or see. These folks are working hard!
July 9, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Popped in to one of the final team planning meetings before this year’s Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade. Looking forward to a great interfaith service this year. Also, be sure to give a quick thanks to any pride board, staff, or volunteers you know or see. These folks are working hard!
Help me out, y’all: When considering reading two books on same/similar concept by two different authors with (at least some) opposing/contrasting views, which is the best to read first? The view more likely to align with yours, or the view more likely out of alignment with yours?
July 9, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Help me out, y’all: When considering reading two books on same/similar concept by two different authors with (at least some) opposing/contrasting views, which is the best to read first? The view more likely to align with yours, or the view more likely out of alignment with yours?