Tag: church cartoons

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Praise and Worship-py

Worship wars have been around for at least forty years. I take that back. According to this article, they may have been around at least 700 AD! My experience inspired me to draw this praise and worship cartoon.

Cartoon of a rock guitarist and guy in a tie. The guy with the tie says, "That was great, Spike. But can you make it a bit more worship-py?"

I hear the term “blended worship” batted around a lot and I like that approach. While I love to hear a pianist play older hymns, I a modern band playing a current praise and worship tune. And I can even welcome the bare-footed, punk rock worshipper as well. I guess that’s how I roll… all over the place.

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children's ministry cartoons

Cartoon: Volunteer Donuts

I have heard some lamenting over the past year when it comes to workers in the church. This cartoon I drew about volunteers and donuts in 2013 reminds me that volunteering has changed dramatically since the pandemic.

Cartoon of a man tossing a donut to a teenager. The man says, "The youth have been great volunteers. Plus, they word for donuts!"

While some teenagers may still be as enthusiastic as the guy in the cartoon, it has been a challenge to recruit volunteers. This article from Christianity Today illustrates the challenges many churches are facing.

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church cartoons technology cartoons

Texting to Give at Church

There was a time when giving at church was as easy as passing the offering plate down the aisle. But these days are different. Welcome to texting to give at church!

Of course, when a new technology appears, there is always someone trying to exploit it. When I thought about that, it led to this cartoon.

Cartoon of an annoyed man with a smartphone. He says, "While we do offer text-to-give, we cannot accept 'IOU" as your account number."

Granted, texting to give doesn’t allow for IOU’s. Because if that did exist, we know someone would exploit it. Rather, a donor’s cell phone carrier typically bills them.

Here is a good article on how text-to-give works for nonprofits and churches. The concept goes back to 2010 when the Red Cross raised funds for the earthquake in Haiti. At that time, the campaign raised $487.6 million for the cause.

Some of us would assume that church culture is not ready for text-to-give. But we would be wrong. According to the article I cited above, 96% of Americans own a cell phone today.

In churches, seven out of ten parishioners text. Those stats have changed dramatically since text-to-give was first introduced eleven years ago!

So do not fear! When it comes to texting to give at church, we have entered a new era. And you need not worry about the wise guy that formerly added an IOU to the offering plate!

I drew this cartoon for the November 2022 CHOGNews.

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children's ministry CHOG News church cartoons Newsletters

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 cartoons children's ministry cartoons Parenting Cartoons

Jacob and Esau

The other day, I was in a Sunday school class when two boys began wrestling. One of the boys was in the school wrestling program and wanted to show the moves he learned on the other. I watched closely since it would be bad for a fight to break out in Sunday school. As I made sure it didn’t get out of hand, it reminded me of the Bible story of Jacob and Esau. Voilà! I had my cartoon idea for January!

Cartoon of two adults watching two boys fighting. The dad says, "It's okay. They're just a little rambunctious. Hey, Jacob! Esau! Come meet your new Sunday school Teacher!
Published in the January 2022 CHOGnews

The Jacob and Esau Bible story usually perks the ears of young boys. Since I am the firstborn son in my family, it certainly got my attention. Of course, I had not heard anything until the story of Moses and Passover made me cringe. Hey! Why were things so hard on the firstborn kids? I thought we got all the goods, not a death sentence!

As a child, part of the story made sense because Esau was prone to make rash, unwise decisions. Still, that Jacob was a deceiver. His name in Hebrew suggests that. Later, it made me uncomfortable to learn Esau’s name meant “hairy.” The poor kids didn’t have a chance. How would you like to be introduced as Hairy and Deceiver?

Their father’s name was Isaac. That means “Laughter.” It makes me wonder if he was laughing while his two sons were squabbling. In fact, for this cartoon, I shall hereby name the dad in this cartoon Isaac. It seems appropriate enough.

One of the many lessons of this story is to be careful what you name your kids. It can be a self-fulfilling prophecy!

I drew this cartoon for the November 2022 CHOGNews.