When he was four years old, my wife and I began to zero-in on the uniqueness of our firstborn son. Matthew’s peculiar patterns started to emerge with greater clarity and confusion, leading two concerned parents into the doctor’s office for testing and evaluation. Learning about Asperger’s Syndrome has been an education. But not just about […]
Continue readingMore TagAuthor: Gary Comer
Tapping Living Water in the Church
While visiting Israel, a man observed the newly excavated lower aqueduct, which originally linked Solomon’s pools to the Jewish temple. Being both ignorant and inquisitive, he inquired with a local resident the purpose for the aqueduct being connected to the temple. From this simple question, he unearthed an intriguing response. The man said, “In the […]
Continue readingMore TagPastor Survival Tip: Wingin’ It!
When consulting pastors, I often sense a need for alternative outlets. It was during my own journey through the valley, when my church involvement was at its lowest ebb, that God taught me something really big about church survival. Here’s how it happened. I recall volunteering at Sandals Church for about a year (by the […]
Continue readingMore TagPerfect Imperfection
When I had turned into the publisher a final edit of my edited book, I felt a great sense of accomplishment. Weeding out the last inconsistencies was a huge project for a non-analytic like me! When the book arrived, I milked the satisfaction, thumbing through the pages as a once-and-for-all last perusing, when my eyes […]
Continue readingMore TagWhy Criticism is Critical
I recently had a sit down talk with two top tiered leaders (Sandals’ Senior Pastor Matt Brown and Executive Pastor Dan Zimbardi), who spoke boldly and directly about three areas of needed growth in my life. I know some of you are assuredly reacting right now, “No way! We all know you, Gary, and you […]
Continue readingMore TagThe “Useless” Feeling – Part 2
In a first season Lost episode, one-hit-wonder rock star Charlie, while in the initial stage of kicking a heroin habit, mentions feeling useless. When you can hardly make it an hour, or a day without a fix, or if you are constantly reminded of the shameful things you have done, or if you have emotional […]
Continue readingMore TagThe “Useless” Feeling – Part 1
Why do Christians feel useless? Two very interesting ideas pop immediately into my head. First, many believers have never experienced mission success. One day while training a small group on evangelistic engagement, I asked the members what would help them grow in faith-sharing confidence. One guy replied, “Actually reaching someone.” His honesty was poignant and […]
Continue readingMore TagBlessed are the Blocked
I went through a long stretch of being underemployed, but this year I received an offer to join Sandals Church staff full-time. Before starting the new position, Pastor Matt Brown invited me to meet with other leaders to discuss the church discipleship path. I knew it was an important meeting and set out plenty early […]
Continue readingMore TagThe Parable of the Point
The Bible teacher charges his people to take the gospel to the world. Metaphorically speaking, each person gathered gets handed a spear. The spear is the only weapon they have at their personal disposal to use for the gospel. Yet something’s wrong. The spear has no point. The shaft is plenty balanced and strong, yet […]
Continue readingMore TagTime Magazine’s Take on the Church . . . Right or Wrong?
This March, Time Magazine ran a one page titled: Preach Like Your Faith Depends on IT. Written by Religion editor, Tom Meacham (I googled his name and discovered that Tom is from the Episcopal Church with many academic writing credits to his name). You don’t always see a page like this in a major magazine; […]
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