Category: church cartoons

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church cartoons

Contactless Tithing

Cartoon of two men. One is about to catch a paper airplane. He says, "Look! There's another contactless tithe!"
Published in the October 2020 CHOGNews.

Welcome to the wonderful world of contactless tithing! There are things we used to take for granted that has now been complicated by the coronavirus. It has also generated some new phrases like…

  • social distancing
  • flatten the curve
  • contactless giving (also known in churches as contactless tithing)

We are all looking for various ways to avoid spreading the coronavirus. One advantage of the Internet is we can do various tasks without the need to be in contact with anyone. It even makes it possible to tithe without darkening the door of the church building.

Hi-tech Giving

Hi-tech giving in the church has been around for at least five years. I drew a cartoon about five years ago about the awkwardness of giving online when the ushers pass around the offering plate. How can you say, “I already gave,” without being obnoxious? Well, why not have a t-shirt proclaiming your actions?

Of course, with any new technology, some find a way to misuse or abuse it like this cartoon shows:

Electronic Giving is NOT E-Waste!

Strange New World

Just like other businesses and organizations, churches are learning to adapt to new ways of operating. I have to admit, it is very strange to visit a church now and not have an offering plate being sent down each pew.

But I suppose it is just as weird to see the enforced distancing at churches as well as sporting and community events. It’s also an adjustment to see people worshipping with masks on. It’s become that much easier to sing along without knowing the words. Humming while participating has never been so much more attainable!

On the plus side, electronic giving has now come into the mainstream. It has been around for several years, but now it is a lifeline to churches that have congregants watching from home. A paper airplane may have a limited range for contactless tithing, but texting to give, by app, or through a web site are now great ways to keep participating while we wait for this season to pass.

This cartoon was published in the October 2020 CHOGNewsletter.

Cartoon of two men. One is about to catch a paper airplane. He says, "Look! There's another contactless tithe!"
Published in the October 2020 CHOGNews.
Categories
church cartoons

Fashion Sense and the Video Pastor

Cartoon of a speaker in a garish outfit. He says, "For those of you joining us online, please comment on something besides my fashion sense."
©2020 Kevin Spear. Published in the September 2020 CHOGNews

Welcome to the modern world of fashion and the video pastor. It’s a challenging time for them. Not only must they learn how to post video sermons, but they can be critiqued by a world-wide audience for their fashion sense.

I have a fascination with gaudy fashion.

I suppose it’s because I would be a tacky dresser if it wasn’t for my wife. From the moment we started getting serious, she seriously pared down my wardrobe. She made it socially acceptable in no time.

I blame my fashion sense on the eighties. It was a time of hot pink, neon green, and weird shapes. It was the decade that brought us parachute pants, vinyl jackets, and leg warmers. I was way too impressionable back then.

Unfortunately, there are plenty of pastors my age that may have taken their fashion cues from the eighties as well. Social media isn’t kind to these poor souls. People will make comments on a YouTube or Facebook Live video that they would never say to a pastor’s face.

There is a bright side to the brutal honesty of social media. In a traditional, in-person service, congregants will frequently keep their comments to themselves. It is only the rare, crusty church patriarch or matriarch that would comment on a pastor’s sermon… or his/her fashion for that matter. But social media loosens the tongues of the shy congregants. Sure, a pastor may wince at the comments, but at least they know what the majority think of his new green and red, polka dot tie.

Cartoon of a speaker in a garish outfit. He says, "For those of you joining us online, please comment on something besides my fashion sense."
©2020 Kevin Spear. Published in the September 2020 CHOGNews

I drew this for the September 2020 CHOGNews.

Categories
church cartoons Social Media

Social Media and the New Pastor Celebrity

Cartoon of two men. One says, "You're that pastor I saw on Facebook Live! Can I have your autograph?"
Published in the July 2020 CHOGNewsletter

One interesting phenomenon of the pandemic is that more churches than ever are using social media and video to continue connecting with their congregations. In effect, it can make any pastor a new celebrity.

It wasn’t that long ago when anyone we saw on a screen would have been a big deal. If you saw that person out and about, you would naturally want their autograph. Now, anybody with a phone or computer can post a video. That is quite powerful!

Yet, it is still tempting to want an autograph of someone you have seen on a screen, whether it is Facebook Live, YouTube, or that coworker you had a Zoom meeting with. I better dust off my autograph book, grab my face mask, and get to it!

Cartoon of two men. One says, "You're that pastor I saw on Facebook Live! Can I have your autograph?"
Published in the July 2020 CHOGNewsletter

Categories
church cartoons

When is it safe to reopen church buildings?

Cartoon of two mice. One says, "I hope the church reopens soon. We're nearly through the youth group's snacks." When is it safe to reopen churches
Published in the May 2020 CHOGnewsletter

Last week, a lot of news was made about when church buildings should reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, and inevitably, it’s become a political issue. It’s unfortunate because in the current environment, politics are divisive. It’s inevitable because it was government agencies shut everything down and have the authority to open things up.

There are many valid arguments on whether it is safe to reopen church buildings as of May, 2020. When I drew this month’s cartoon, I thought of how the youth groups’ secret snack stashes across the country have probably been visited by a few church mice. Youth pastors, do us all a favor and get the dumpster ready when you get back in the building. Those cheesy, wavy, salty snacks will have to go!

Many churches have learned to adjust through this crisis. I have benefited from online services. However, the cartoon I drew last month shows the pitfalls of online worship services. We may be getting too casual when we can watch church in our pajamas. Some may have to remind themselves when they return to the church to dress up a little.

Articles on when it is safe to reopen church buildings

I have no easy answers. This is partly because churches come in all shapes and sizes. a small church may have no problem meeting without going over the state’s mandate to limit gatherings. Some churches are small enough to meet in a home. However, I have belonged to churches where over a thousand people meet. You can’t treat these groups the same.

No matter the debate, we must remember that churches are not the buildings their congregants meet in. The church has never really closed through the pandemic. It is the buildings that house churches that have closed. Perhaps we have become too dependent on the buildings that Christians meet in. In the future, will we need to radically change how churches meet and provide community?

Whatever decision churches will make in the coming weeks, they need to be made with consideration congregants and those outside the building. Let the churches be known for spreading good news, hope, and joy, not COVID-19.

Cartoon of two mice. One says, "I hope the church reopens soon. We're nearly through the youth group's snacks."
Published in the May 2020 CHOGnewsletter
Categories
CHOG News church cartoons motivation Newsletters

Remote Work Makes Every Day Casual Friday

Cartoon of a man in a bathrobe and an annoyed women. The wife says, "When we get to go to church again, this WON'T be your new church look."
Published in the April 2020 CHOGNewsletter

If you have been working from home, have you found that every day has become casual Friday? I thought of this cartoon idea because I knew Easter Sunday was coming. It’s a time when churchgoers get dressed up. This year was quite different from the past. It was far different than Irving Berlin’s old song.

I didn’t look quite as bad as the guy in my cartoon. Still, it was far more casual than past Easters. I heard stories of people dressing up anyway for the holiday. I would say they probably felt better and it helped lift their spirits. I will have to try it this weekend.

If you have been working remotely and have been a little down in the dumps, it may help to get dressed up as if you were going to your workplace or for an event. In the meantime, I know we’re all looking forward to the day when we can get out their and parade in our Easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it.

I drew this cartoon for the April 2020 CHOGNewsletter.

Cartoon of a man in a bathrobe and an annoyed women. The wife says, "When we get to go to church again, this WON'T be your new church look."
Published in the April 2020 CHOGNewsletter