Uhh … wah?
You read the title correctly.
First Christian Church in Brunswick, OH has a pet-friendly service. This isn’t an alternative service or something special, like a contemporary worship service. Nope. This is the norm at First Christian Church.
Here’s the story behind it:
“Steve Gower, former pastor, got the idea when his own dog, Lily, sat beside a church member who sat alone in a pew on Christmas Eve. The patron insisted that Lily stay for the entire service and that was all it took. Others liked the idea so much that they began bringing their dogs with them, too.”
At first blush this sounds ridiculous, a bit odd and perhaps a bit unfocused; however, they’ve certainly has had some positive feedback:
“Lauren Baker loves having Ginger, her 11-year-old cancer survivor and best friend, sitting beside her in church. ‘Everybody is so accepting here, and it means a lot to me to be able to have her here,’ said Lauren.”
Now, I’m not saying we should open the church doors for everyone to bring their pet to church, but you have to give this church some props for not being afraid to try something new and meet the needs of those around them.
Or maybe this is just down-right weird.
What do you think?
[via Life with Dogs | Image via It’sGreg]
Walter Wimberly says
As long as you let people know before they enter that it is pet friendly, and the pets don’t distract from the service I’m OK with it. I personally wouldn’t attend however, my son is afraid of dogs, and my wife is allergic to cats.
I think it would not conducive to a worship service if a dog starts chasing a cat through the sanctuary, etc. Much like I feel about screaming babies in service. There needs to be a focus on God, and if bringing pets allows more people to come, to worship – great. If it distracts – then it needs to stop.
Eric Dye says
🙂
Marcus Williamson says
this is amazing. i believe andy stanley said, in order to reach people no one else is reaching, you have to do things no one else is doing.
there are cowboy churches, motocycle churches, etc out there trying to reach a specific people. our generation is throwing a book at some of our traditional ways of doing things. not the scripture or even the prayers etc but what it’s supposed to look like these days
jesus did a similar thing. his way was so different, people were like, hey now, wait a sec, you can’t do that or this because…(name it)
we cling to our perfect way of service and what it should look like but there is no perfect way to reach imperfect people. i’m with walter in that it’s prob no me, but then again i haven’t really hung out with them yet either. i thought i wouldn’t like asparagus. turns out it’s not too bad lol!
again. sorry. just feel like talking for some reason today.
Eric Dye says
You’re on a roll, Marcus! 😀
Thank you for adding all of this value. You really defined this. Thank you!
Marcus Williamson says
keep roll’n posts like you do brother. you da man.
Eric Dye says
🙂
Billy Ritchie says
Seem to remember that Richard Curtis and the BBC sitcom Vicar of Dibley already suggested this type of service:) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n10Pi_TyHaU
Eric Dye says
WOW
Brindy says
I have been wanting to do this for a couple years now, and decided to Google it today. A few years ago my special needs daughter and I were under a demonic oppression, at the time I just thought our house was haunted by an angry spirit, I didn’t believe in God or Satan and after trying everything imaginable and not having any luck I resorted to Jesus. Long story short, he saved us! My dog was there thru everything trying to protect us, I know he knows good from evil and think he would be great at church.