Let's be real. Most church newsletters are boring. You open them up, see a list of potluck dates, a formal greeting from the pastor, and maybe a grainy photo of the new roof. It feels like homework. This is exactly why cartoons for church newsletters aren't just a "nice to have" addition; they are basically the survival mechanism for your communication strategy. If you want people to actually read the announcements about the Tuesday night Bible study, you have to give them a reason to look at the page in the first place.
Humor lowers defenses.
When a congregant sees a clever drawing of a choir director losing their mind over a flat soprano, they laugh. They relate. Suddenly, the church feels like a community of real people rather than a cold institution. But here is the thing: most churches do this poorly. They use outdated clip art from 1994 or, worse, they steal copyrighted material from a quick Google Image search. That’s a bad look. It's also potentially a legal headache you don't want.
The Theology of a Good Laugh
Why does humor even belong in a sacred space? Some people think faith has to be somber 100% of the time. They're wrong. If you look at the history of religious art, there is a long tradition of "holy folly." Even the Great Reformer Martin Luther was known for his biting, often hilarious wit. He understood that the human condition is inherently funny because we are all a mess trying to follow a perfect God.
A well-placed cartoon highlights this tension. It pokes fun at our legalism, our obsession with "church clothes," and the way we act when the coffee machine breaks in the fellowship hall. This isn't irreverent. It’s honest. Honestly, if we can't laugh at ourselves, we're probably taking ourselves a bit too seriously.
Where to Find the Good Stuff
You can't just grab anything. You've got to find creators who actually understand church culture. One of the gold standards is The Christian Cartoon Index. They’ve been around forever. Another heavy hitter is Reverse Parenting or the work of Dave Walker. Walker is a legend in this space. His "Diagrams" are iconic because they perfectly capture the mundane absurdities of church life—like the exact temperature of a parish hall (which is always either a sauna or a meat locker).
Then there is Adam4d. While his style shifted more toward webcomics and eventually apologetics with The Babylon Bee, his early work specifically targeted the quirks of evangelical life. His cartoons were punchy. They were sharp. People shared them because they felt "seen."
If you're looking for something more classic, Joyful 'n Triumphant or the archives of Inherit the Mirth by Cuyler Black offer high-quality, professional illustrations. These aren't hobbyist doodles. They are professional-grade assets that make your newsletter look like a real publication.
The Copyright Trap Most Churches Fall Into
Listen. This is important. Just because a cartoon is on Pinterest doesn't mean it’s free.
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I’ve seen churches get "cease and desist" letters because a well-meaning volunteer thought they were doing a favor by "borrowing" a New Yorker cartoon. It’s not worth it. Most professional cartoonists offer very affordable "bulletin licenses." You pay twenty or thirty bucks, and you get a high-resolution file and the legal right to print it.
- Church Art Online: This is a subscription-based service. It's basically a library. You pay a monthly fee, and you get access to thousands of images, including cartoons.
- The Cartoonist Group: They represent big names. If you want a specific strip from a national newspaper, you go here. It’s more expensive, but it’s legit.
- Direct from the Artist: Many artists like Kevin Spear sell individual licenses on their websites. This is often the best way to support creators directly.
Support artists. They have bills too. Plus, using licensed art shows a level of integrity that reflects well on your ministry.
Why Engagement Actually Matters
We live in an attention economy. You are competing with Instagram, Netflix, and the giant stack of mail on someone’s kitchen table. If your newsletter is just text, it goes in the bin.
Visual breaks are essential. A cartoon acts as an "entry point" for the eye. A reader sees the image, reads the caption, smiles, and then their eyes naturally drift to the text surrounding the image. It’s a classic layout trick. Magazines have used it for a century. Your church newsletter shouldn't be any different.
Making it Work in Your Layout
Don't just cram a cartoon into a corner as an afterthought. Give it some breathing room. If you’re using software like Canva or Microsoft Publisher, make sure the resolution is high enough. Nothing screams "amateur hour" like a pixelated, blurry image where you can't even read the punchline.
You should also think about placement. If your main article is about the importance of children's ministry, find a cartoon about the chaos of Sunday School. Context is king. When the humor aligns with the message, it reinforces the point.
The "Is This Offensive?" Litmus Test
This is where it gets tricky. Humor is subjective. What’s funny to a 20-something might be confusing or even offensive to an 80-something.
- Does it punch down? (Avoid this).
- Does it make fun of a specific person in the congregation? (Never do this).
- Does it highlight a universal truth about being a flawed human? (This is the sweet spot).
If you have to explain the joke, it’s probably not the right fit for a broad audience. Stick to "safe" targets: the quality of the church coffee, the length of the sermons, or the struggle of getting kids out the door on Sunday morning. These are universal. Everyone gets them.
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The Rise of Digital Newsletters
Most churches are moving to email platforms like Mailchimp or Constant Contact. This is a game changer for cartoons for church newsletters.
In a digital format, you aren't limited by printing costs. You can use color! Color cartoons pop way more on a smartphone screen than black and white ones do on a photocopied sheet of paper. You can even use animated GIFs if the artist allows it. Imagine a little 3-second loop of a deacon nodding off during a sermon. That’s gold for engagement.
Also, digital newsletters allow for "click-throughs." You can link the cartoon to a blog post or a related video. It becomes part of a larger ecosystem of content rather than a static image on a page.
Specific Creators to Watch in 2026
The landscape is changing. We’re seeing a move away from the "clip art" look toward more "indie" styles.
St. Murphy's is a great example. It’s a bit more irreverent, focusing on the "trials and tribulations" of a fictional parish. It feels modern. It feels like a comic you'd actually see on social media.
Another one to check out is The Church Mice. It’s classic, cute, and very safe for more conservative congregations. It’s been around for decades for a reason—it works.
Don't Forget the Kids
Sometimes we forget that kids (and teens) might actually look at the newsletter if there's something for them. Including a "Kids' Corner" cartoon is a smart move. It makes the church feel inclusive of all ages.
But avoid being "cringe." Don't try to use "fellow kids" humor from five years ago. Just stick to good drawing and simple, relatable situational comedy.
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Beyond Just "Funny"
Some of the best cartoons aren't just laugh-out-loud funny; they’re poignant. They make you think. Michael Leunig (though not exclusively a "church" cartoonist) has a style that is often used in religious circles because it’s soulful and contemplative.
Sometimes a simple drawing of a person sitting alone on a bench with a short, poetic caption can be more powerful than a 500-word devotional. It’s about the economy of expression.
Putting it into Practice
Ready to level up? Here is the move.
Stop thinking of the newsletter as a chore. Start thinking of it as a publication. If you were the editor of a magazine, you’d want the best visuals possible.
Start a "Visual Folder" on your computer. When you see a great comic or a relatable drawing online, save the link (not the image—remember copyright!). When it comes time to layout the next issue, you won't be scrambling. You'll have a curated list of options ready to go.
Your Next Steps for a Better Newsletter
Start by auditing your last three issues. Be honest. Are they walls of text? Are the images stretched out and blurry? If so, it’s time for a reboot.
- Step 1: Browse the Dave Walker or Kevin Spear archives. Find three cartoons that actually make you laugh. Not "polite church laugh," but real laughter.
- Step 2: Check your budget. Most churches can afford a $100 annual license for a high-quality art service. It’s the cost of a few pizzas, and it transforms your communication.
- Step 3: Survey your readers. Ask them if they even noticed the art. You might be surprised to find that the "funny page" is the only thing some people look at.
- Step 4: Reach out to your congregation. You might have a talented illustrator sitting in the third pew who would love to contribute an original piece once a month.
Quality matters. People can tell when you've put effort into something and when you've just phoned it in. Using high-quality cartoons is a simple, effective way to show your congregation that you value their time and their attention. It makes the "business" of church feel a little more like home.
And at the end of the day, that’s the whole point of a newsletter anyway, isn't it? It’s to keep the family connected. A little laughter goes a long way in making those connections stick.
Go find something funny. Your readers will thank you.