Andrea Rosebrock 
One LA pastor, Rev. Tom Eggebeen, has come up with a way to bring new members into his church, at the end of their pooch’s leashes. Yup, Covenant Presbyterian Church has gone to the dogs with a special 30 minute service which includes doggies beds, bowls of water and doggie treats, Canines at Covenant.
When Rev. Eggebeen took over as pastor a few years ago, attendance at the once bustling Covenant Presbyterian Church had been dropping and the members, although devoted, had dwindled to a relatively small number of seniors. This is not just the case at this church either, you will see this same thing at churches all over the country regardless of denomination, people seem to have less time and less interest in church but people love their dogs and pets and more and more pets are becoming a more important part of the family unit.
So Rev. Eggebeen decided to appeal to puppy love to fill the pews… and the doggie beds in his church and it’s working too, at one of the Canines at Covenant services, there were about 30 people and their pooches, three-quarters of them new faces in the church.
“The Bible says of God only two things in terms of an ‘is’: That God is light and God is love. And wherever there’s love, there’s God in some fashion,” said Eggebeen, himself a dog lover. “And when we love a dog and a dog loves us, that’s a part of God and God is a part of that. So we honor that.”
There is a growing trend across the country for religion/churches to address pets’ spirituality and their bond to their people although Christian belief is that animals do not have redeemable souls. Numerous different churches are offering pet-centric services and pet blessings are becoming more the norm than not.
“It’s important for a church like us just to do good things. The results, we’ll just have to see,” Eggebeen said. “Ultimately, that belongs to God.”
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I guess people have lost their faith, the world is totally out of whack. This is really reaching out to bring the flock tighter, how better to do it than a big family hug?
Precious little doggie in that pic above <333
I’m hearing more and more about dogs to church services and it’s getting to be a great success. I hope it spreads all over the world. Why shouldn’t they be able to be a part of worship?
I love the idea, it might bring the closeness of all of us “creations” of God to be a little bit more compassionate of others. It might even make animal lovers out of people who detest animals.
Remember dog is God spelled backwards…..
You are so right Susie. Thanks for some good news Andrea <3
If there were a church in my area that would do this, they would have a new member in me.
Oh…and dogs do not need to have their souls redeemed…because dogs are innocent of sin. Only people sin and consequently need to have their souls redeemed to keep from going to Hell. Animals will never go to Hell. God created the animals and he saved them from the flood in Noah’s Ark, which proves he really cares about them. I only wish people would care about them a fraction as much as God does.
Terrific story D. Yes, I too, might be anew member of a church, if they allowed my girl to go with me. One less hour I would have to spend not leaving her at home. I am going to print this out D, if it’s okay with youa and post it here in our town. I’ll let you know if it makes a difference.
Rosanna…..you are so very right about dogs not needing redemption…….no sin…..no redemption necessary. Just the ignorant, cruel, hateful human race needs this, but it would still be really nice, if while we are getting redemption, our best friend is by our side. Thanks again D….and thanks to Rev. Eggebeen….good job that I’m sure God is quite pleased with!
brilliant! finally recognition, celebration and honoring where it belongs! it is time we include all of God’s creatures instead of leaving them at home! Go, Reverend Tom!