Cartoon of a pastor with a bird on his head. The pastor says, “Some of you may have noticed the roof needs fixed.”
I drew this for the February, 2013, Church of God e-newsletter.
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Cartoon: Bird on a Roof
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Cartoon: Different Kind of Shepherd
Cartoon of Sheep are in a pasture. One says to another, “Don’t get me wrong! I love our shepherd. It’s just that I prefer a different style of herding.”
Leadership can be tough when nobody wants to be a follower. It’s even harder when everyone in the group is about aggressive as a sheep, yet refuse to be led. I’ve seen a few pastors face this situation. You have to beware of sheep with fangs!
I originally sold this to Leadership Journal.
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Offering Plate Games
Cartoon of a church usher and a guy with a flying disc. The usher says, “You can’t be an usher because you think offering plates are Frisbees®.
As a child, I often wondered what it would be like if the ushers tossed offering plates across the congregation like they were at a Frisbee® competition. It would put some excitement in the air, and depending on the song used during the offertory, it could be quite a show!
I drew this for the April edition of the Church of God E-Newsletter.
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Build up or tear down?
Cartoon of two kids. One says, “I’m trying to decide whether to build you up today or tear you down.”
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Why brainstorming for service projects is so hard
Cartoon of two women. One say, “Can I help it if all my service project ideas center around improving my front yard?”
It can be hard brainstorming about projects for others when there are dirty dishes in the sink and weeds in the front yard, can’t it? I’ve found I have no problem learning how to be selfish. It comes naturally to me. Before I know it, I’m thinking less about others who have it much worse than me and start thinking about my own little world. How about you?
I drew this cartoon for the Church of God Ministries e-newsletter.
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How to Show Appreciation to Your Pastor
Cartoon of a boy speaking to his pastor. He says, “I want to show I appreciate you, Pastor. How about I give you a ride on my scooter?”
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. When I thought of this cartoon, I thought of the various ways people may try to show appreciation that is a little self-focused. Then again, maybe the pastor needs a scooter ride!
I drew this cartoon for the CHOGnews – October, 2013 newsletter.
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Praise and Worship-py
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?”
Update: 2013-Here’s a cartoon I drew about three years ago. A ministry in the Netherlands contacted me about using it, so I thought I’d show it again.
I hear the term “blended worship” batted around a lot and I like that approach. I like the old hymns, but I like the the guitars and drums too. 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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Why the little things get us riled up
Cartoon of a guy eating a sub sandwich in a church pew while a disapproving elderly woman looks on. the caption reads, “It all began when they allowed coffee in the sanctuary…”
I thought of this idea when I saw a lively forum discussion about allowing or refusing coffee in a church’s sanctuary. Some were vehemently opposed to such nonsense. Others were insistent that all parts of the church should be welcoming and as long as it wasn’t a distraction, why not?
Personally, I bring my coffee with me into the sanctuary. There was a time this was a no-no in our church. But we let go of that controversy years ago. I haven’t seen anybody bring a full meal into the sanctuary.
When I was younger, I thought of having a pizza delivered into the sanctuary (That would have been a major faux pas then). Hey! if it’s good for the youth group, it would be good for the rest of the church, right? Fortunately, young love and marriage kept me from such foolishness before I had the money to try such a stunt.
It does amaze me how little things like this can get people worked up. We focus on these little irritations because it is so much more difficult to focus on the difficult issues. It’s much more difficult to love your neighbor than to have an opinion on coffee/church etiquette.
I drew this for the February, 2014, Church of God E-newsletter.
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Impressive Misquote
Cartoon of two debating men. One says, “Impressive quote. But that isn’t in the Bible. It’s from Benjamin Franklin.”
Why do we like to debate? What is it about a comment here or there that makes me want to get in the last word? Sometimes, when I am making the case about something, I wonder if what I said was really from the source I thought it was. But nobody wants the facts to get in the way of a good argument, do they?
Yesterday, I got into a Twitter argument with a guy pretending to be a nineteenth century preacher. How silly is that? He’s making accusations as if he is the reincarnation of this evangelist, and I took him seriously. Sometimes my blood boils about the silliest things.
So keep your head out there! Don’t misquote from the Bible and certainly don’t argue with long-dead saints. It’s just not worth it.
I drew this for the March, 2014 Church of God e-newsletter.
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Pop up evangelism
Happy Pentecost or Whit Sunday! This cartoon seemed like just as good a one for this day as any. Besides, It just came out in a newsletter.
I must admit I’ve never been as bold as the guy in this cartoon. I’ve had others who share my faith and from other faiths come up to me. And I admire them for their boldness. I’ve always found it easier for me to draw and write my thoughts as opposed to speak about them. No wonder I love blogging!
You may have a good idea from my blog posts where I stand. Then again, maybe I’m cryptic. If you’re curious, feel free to email or comment and I’ll be glad to share my story.
I drew this for the June CHOG News.
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I Gave Online t-shirt
It’s fun when tradition collides with technology! For a few months, I’ve been using my bank’s web payment to pay my tithes and offerings. Why not? I’ve paid all my other bills that way for years. I didn’t expect the feeling of guilt when the offering plate came around even when I knew perfectly well I was giving.
So how do you combat that feeling when someone gives online? You can’t put your smart phone in the offering plate. Printing out a receipt seems tacky. If you wave it off and say, “I gave online,” you’re only calling attention to yourself and sound pretentious. Oh, the dilemmas!
A t-shirt would solve all the awkward exchanges. All the church has to do is pass them out in the back before the service. You can make them big enough to fit over any outfit. And if you decorate your church for the season, you can make them match colors for Lent and Advent!
I drew this cartoon for the July CHOGNews.
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Weeping, Wailing and Gnashing of Teething Rings
There are some things you just can’t prepare for. One baby begins to wail. the next thing you know, you have a choir of weeping and wailing.
Yes, you can see leadership principles in a group of babies. If you have one charismatic cryer, the whole group will join in within a few moments.
This may be why some parents fear nurseries. It is the first time their baby is influenced by peers. It’s mighty powerful to realize you are not as in control over your child as you thought. Peer pressure can affect a child before they are able to talk!
It’s a good lesson in how attitudes spread. We are affected by groups much more than we would like to admit. Maybe we wouldn’t have that rotten feeling if the group didn’t endorse it. Perhaps, just perhaps, we can get beyond the group think of weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth!
I drew this cartoon for the September, 2015 CHOG News.
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Pumpkin Spiced everything
While I love pumpkin pie, chocolate chip, pumpkin muffins and even a pumpkin spice latte, I would have to draw the line at communion wafers. Keep the cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves away from them, thank you very much!
I drew this for the Church of God Newsletter.
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No-Shave November for Youth Pastors
Sometimes, a little facial hair can raise the ire of the local church lady. It’s not that it is spiritually offensive. I propose it is because the scruffy look reminds Eunice of her younger years when she dated her dear Grover.
Happy No-Shave November!
I drew this cartoon for the November, 2015 Church of God Newsletter.
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Dealing with Broken and Cracked People
We all deal with stuff. Some of us deal with difficult, gut-wrenching stuff. Then there are others who react to difficulties in unconventional ways.
No matter where you are, you can rest assured, someone is going through similar situations. There is no such thing as a perfect, unbroken person. You will also find people react differently to similar situations. Some react with anger, depression, and denial. Others react with strength, resolve and humor. I choose the latter set. And if someone sees me as a bit cracked, I hope it’s because I put a little humor in their lives.
I drew this for the February, 2016 CHOGNews Email Newsletter.
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Stealthy Vacation Bible School
The plight of children’s pastors everywhere is when to begin planning for Vacation Bible school. Christmas takes precedence in December. Easter dominates late winter. Then before you know it, summer is here and there isn’t enough popsicle sticks empty toilet paper rolls or school glue to satisfy all the VBS planning needs!
So be kind to the person that is organizing your local VBS. He or she is probably searching frantically for enough cookies and punch to feed a devouring horde of elementary appetites!
I drew this for the April 2016 CHOGnews.
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Quality Assured Sermons
I wonder how differently I’d act if I knew every word I said was recorded? Would the quality of my words be assured? I’d like to think I would be fine with all the words I’ve said. Yet I know if someone recorded all the words I said yesterday, I would not be proud.
I’ve said words out of hurt and anger. I was tempted to say words I knew better than to utter. The problem with being a wordsmith, is I know how to use them to give life and to injure. The same tongue I possess can be used to praise and to curse.
I don’t envy preachers. Every word uttered every week is analyzed, dissected and reinterpreted. I admire them for having the courage to face a congregation and proclaim the truth.
I drew this for the May, 2016 Church of God Newsletter.
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Boards, Committees and Servant Leadership
When it comes to the balance of power, boards and committees can be tricky. Some believe their goal is to tell other people what to do. Others don’t have a clue how to get the ball rolling on tasks as simple as picking up some trash.
The least effective leaders are those with grand ideas but no motivation to do the work themselves. You can expect people to follow your lead much more than your words.
Leadership is most effective when the leaders do what they expect others to do. When leaders pick up the trash, others will see and begin to do the same. When leaders begin to be the change they want to see, then others will follow. That’s why servant leadership is so effective.
I drew this cartoon for the July, 2016 Church of God e-newsletter
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I Just Love a Pond Baptism!
I didn’t have the benefit of a baptism in the great outdoors. Mine was in a church sanctuary. A few weeks ago, I got to witness over two dozen people get baptized outside. I overheard someone commenting about what could be swimming around that pond. Since this was in Ohio, alligators were quickly ruled out.
It was a great day of celebration and no one came up with a fish, frog or crawdad attached to an arm!
I drew this for the August 2016 CHOG News.
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The great church seating controversy
It has always fascinated me how good people can get caught up in petty things like saving their seat at church. In extreme cases, it can even lead to violence like this example.
At one of the churches I attended, there was a legend about an elderly lady that would hiss at people if they were in her seat. One Sunday, a friend’s family was about to sit nearby. The dear old sister looked up, then commented, “It’s okay if you sit there. It’s Brother So and So’s seat, but he passed away this week.”
It runs contradictory to what Jesus himself taught:
“But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests.” Luke 14:10 NIV
So you can have my seat. But I can’t guarantee a dear old sister won’t hiss at you.
I created this cartoon for the September 2016 CHOGNews.
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