Category: children’s ministry

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For the Love of a Baptistry Heater

Featured Image for Cartoon 4177 Baptistry Heater

My grandfather and pastor baptized me when I was seven years old. One of my many memories that day is that the water was cold. I’m pretty sure it was in the warm months. But when you have several gallons of water sitting around for a while, it’s going to be freezing. It makes you long for a baptistry heater!

My wife is a children’s minister. One of her duties is to guide children who want to be baptized about the journey. Frequently, one of the kids will ask if the water is cold. Sometimes, we’ll get a parent who has read up on the latest baptistry heater technology.

I shudder whenever I hear these comments. I want to announce, “In my day, we were baptized in a frozen lake, and we were grateful for it!” So of course, this led me to a cartoon idea!

Cartoon of a man staring at a frozen man in a baptismal. He says "I thought you said this baptismal was heated."
©2022 Kevin Spear: Published in the February 2022 CHOGNews

What’s a Bathtub Doing in My Church?

Baptisms have been an interest of mine since my wife was looking for a suitable guide for her kids several years ago. When she couldn’t find one, I wrote and illustrated one for her called, What’s a Bathtub Doing in My Church.

What's a Bathtub Doing in My Church Cover

One of the best experiences we can have at church is when someone has made a decision to follow Jesus Christ and to be baptized. It is a time full of celebration and joy. Perhaps some would think it is not the appropriate time for humor. But I find wherever there is joy, there is also a little humor.

What’s more, children tend to have innocent questions that to adults, are humorous. Who would have thought to ask if they should bring their snorkel that morning but a kid?

And anyone who has taken the plunge has to be wondering if the water is cold. Oh for the love of a baptistry heater!

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children's ministry Christianity love

Loving Your Neighbor

This morning, I am going to be teaching kids what it means to love your neighbor. As I’m thinking about this, I naturally tend to think about Mr. Rogers. He had a nice way of making difficult concepts simple. Here is one of his quotes.

“When we look for what’s best in the person we happen to be with at the moment, we’re doing what God does, so in appreciating our neighbor, we’re participating in something truly sacred.”

Fred Rogers

We teach our kids to immediately be suspicious of others. We tell our kids to be aware of “stranger danger.” And it is good to help our kids have awareness of potential hazards. Unfortunately, there are evil people out there.

But there are also good people out there. There are ways to nurture giving in our children. And really, loving our neighbor is all about being generous. We can love because we are thankful for what we have and can give to those around us who are in need.

But what if our neighbors have no material needs? We all need to be recognized and affirmed. It may look different for each person. Some may want to be left alone. If so, what are ways we can show love by being considerate and generous?

In a world that teaches us to be scared of our neighbors, I am thinking today about how to treat my neighbor like I would want to be treated. How do we become good neighbors?

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accountability children's ministry children's ministry cartoons K! Magazine Kidzmatter Magazine Magazine

The Hidden Dangers of Adult Coloring Books

Cartoon of a teacher talking to a volunteer while kids run amuck. The Teacher says, "I need our adult volunteers to stop coloring when the kids have stopped."
Published in "K! Kidzmatter Magazine."

It can be tough finding the perfect volunteer for a classroom. It needs to be someone who loves to be with children, but works well with the adults too. They need to have childlike qualities without be childish. They need to have fun with the kids without losing focus of the lesson. It can be too easy to veer off course.

When I drew this cartoon, I thought of the adult coloring book craze that began around 2015. Grown-ups were buying and using coloring books with intricate designs as a form of relaxation and meditation. I looked at some of the books and thought this would be too complex for the average child to color.

I could imagine a child going off to do their own thing while a parent stayed mesmerized for hours, working on their coloring page. When they came to, they would wonder where their little one went off to and why was the front door wide open. It could become a dangerous activity indeed!

Before you know it, there would be public service announcements imploring parents and teachers to practice safe coloring book hygiene. Maybe that’s why the adult coloring book craze died off after a couple of years.

If you are a parent, teacher or children’s worker, be aware and don’t let the coloring book trap get you. When the kids stop coloring, you do the same. It will be a much safer world if we follow that simple rule.

Of course, who am I to talk? I’ve been having fun coloring my own artwork for years! My kids survived, but it’s probably caused a few of the classrooms I’ve led to run amuck.

Cartoon of a teacher talking to a volunteer while kids run amuck. The Teacher says, "I need our adult volunteers to stop coloring when the kids have stopped."
Published in “K! Kidzmatter Magazine.”
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children's ministry children's ministry cartoons K! Magazine Kidzmatter Magazine Magazine

Have You Ever Regretted Your Timing?

Cartoon of a teacher watching hyper kids. The caption reads, "Eric was SO close to get a spiritual truth across... then the sugary snacks kicked in."
Previously published in K! Kidzmatter Magazine

When I lead a large group of kids on a Sunday morning, there is a huge difference between the first and second hours.

The first hour brings in the zombie kids. They may or may not realize where they are. Some of their shoes are untied. The eyelids are half-opened. You may see a little drool at the corner of their mouths. Some are able to muster the strength to participate in the game or song.

The second hour brings in the kids that have had a chance to digest their breakfast. Their small group leaders probably gave them a treat. Yes, they have a little jump in their step. They are hyped and ready to go. The sugar has kicked in.

Timing can be really important whether you are teaching kids or have a presentation in front of a group. For adults, mornings may be the best time while you need to avoid the time just after lunch. For kids, mid-morning may be the best time to get your lesson across.

Have you ever had a time where you realized the timing of your lesson or presentation was off? Share your experience and what you learned from it in the comments.

Cartoon of a teacher watching hyper kids. The caption reads, "Eric was SO close to get a spiritual truth across... then the sugary snacks kicked in."
Previously published in K! Kidzmatter Magazine
Categories
children cartoons children's ministry church cartoons

Birthday Expectations

Cartoon of boy and pastor

When a friend or family member has a birthday, there can be all sorts of expectations. Some want a very special day. Others want the most low key birthday possible. Then there are those that want a little attention, but not too much.

I have never seen a choir burst out in a spontaneous rendition of Happy Birthday, but I think that would be so awesome. Because I haven’t seen it before, the surprise would be priceless.

Kids love to be noticed on their birthday. When I created this cartoon, I thought of how children love to be the center of attention when it’s their day. There have been many times when a child has come up to me to announce his or her birthday. Then there are the introverted ones who have a friend relay the message. Most kids want to be acknowledged on their special day.

Today, I get to honor someone at my work with a birthday celebration. We’ll have a brief acknowledgement and a few cookies. I don’t think we’ll be singing Happy Birthday though. We are a creative group, but I don’t think any of us are musically creative. And it may be a little short notice to hire a choir.

What has been your favorite birthday memory? Share it in the comments below.

Cartoon of boy and pastor