Tag: Coronavirus

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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
Business Business Cartoons motivation

Does it feel like the world is in a hostile takeover?

Cartoon of two business executives

When I first drew this cartoon, I was thinking about business takeovers in the era of the Great Recession. It was a time when housing bubbles and sub-par mortgages dominated the news. The thought of a rogue virus taking on the world economy was nowhere to be found.

Today, most businesses are more concerned with the effects of the virus than with another corporation coming in and swallowing them up. We all face a common enemy now. It’s as if this virus is immature sticking out its tongue at us.

But it can be vanquished. We can win this war. It will take time, determination, and a pivot in how we do business. This is a time to unite against a common enemy. This virus is relentless and hostile. Let’s work together to end this scourge.

Cartoon of two business executives
Categories
pet cartoons

How are the pets faring while we stay at home?

Cartoon of an annoyed cat and a dog
Copyright © Kevin Spear

It seems every other news article is about how pets are reacting while we work from home.

It seems Buzzfeed has a post every other day about annoyed pets during the quarantine. And perhaps all our furry companions can’t wait until we return to the workplace.

But perhaps pets are more resilient than we think. Do we implant on them emotions they are not really feeling? If we assume our cat would be annoyed we are home, do we interpret every action they do as a testament to their annoyance?

When I drew this illustration, my daughter brought home a new puppy. We assumed our cat would go ballistic. He didn’t. He tolerated the new pooch fairly well. I was both relieved and disappointed. I was relieved that the pets got along while disappointed I wouldn’t have an epic struggle to write about. That is one of the curses of a writer. We don’t want conflict, but we know it provides great fodder for our writing.

Pets will get through this just as we will. It will take some time and adjustment. Maybe they will face separation anxiety… or maybe we will. But either way, we will adjust. In the meantime, maybe it’s best to give your cat some space and have his naptime.

Cartoon of an annoyed cat and a dog
Copyright © 2007 Kevin Spear
Categories
motivation

How will businesses survive this pandemic?

Quote from Daniel Pink: "A healthy society—and healthy business organizations—begins with purpose and considers profit a way to move toward that end or a happy byproduct of its attainment."

I have learned much from my wife over the years. One of the key takeaways I have seen in her that deep meaning and purpose is a powerful motivator. I have seen it in her recent decision to resign from a great position and to pursue what she feels is next in her life.

She certainly didn’t do it for the money. There was no lucrative position waiting for her. She did it because she feels she is being called to a higher purpose. We are still working on what that looks like. Yet, I am confident she will find her next step and help many women that have seen their lives turned upside down during the coronavirus lockdown.

Working With a Purpose

This current environment has had a deep impact on businesses. We won’t fully know the impact for months to come. One effect will be is that businesses that have lost their purpose years ago will most likely die. After all, it is going to take an extreme effort to restart many businesses. If the only reason it existed before March of 2020 was to make a profit, it may not be enough of a motivator to get it running again.

Just existing for profit will not be enough to resuscitate many businesses. Mission statements will become more than just something the leadership pays lip service to. Businesses will need a mission to continue through the challenging times that are ahead. We will all need a purpose that is more than just going through the motions of profit. Because profit may not come easily. It may take time and patience to become profitable once again.

So what is the purpose of your business?

Categories
motivation

The Value of Determination

Cartoon of two boys walking. One has a dog in his bookbag. The boy says, "I don't know what's gotten into my dog. Lately, he's been so sneaky."

We all know someone who is determined. Another word for it is stubborn. Anybody who has a pet that doesn’t do quite what they want it to do probably considers the fur baby stubborn. Of course, the pet is probably thinking the same thing about its owner!

Determination is needed more now than ever.

  • The United States has been knocked by the coronavirus pandemic for two months now
  • Some states are allowing businesses to restart
  • Business owners have to figure out how to operate in this new environment
  • Employees have to consider if their jobs are still viable or if they need to find work elsewhere
  • Corporate offices have to figure if it is still best for everyone to work remotely or to modify office space for health and safety

Determination will be as valuable and desirable as an asset as a nice stash of bathroom tissue was six weeks or so ago. We will need to be determined to bring the economy back online. This doesn’t mean we must be determined to make things the way they were. Rather, we will need to use ingenuity, creativity, and patience to make things work in a new reality.

Let’s all lead the way to a new way of doing things. Let’s be as determined as a little dog that really wants to go to school.

Cartoon of two boys walking. One has a dog in his bookbag. The boy says, "I don't know what's gotten into my dog. Lately, he's been so sneaky."