You can imagine all your own jokes about dogs going to church, and members of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles have heard every one of them 100 times since they began regular weekly worship services with their pets nearly a year ago.
He has seen the biggest growth in his aging and previously shrinking congregation by launching this weekly, Sunday-afternoon service at which parishioners can bring along their four-legged best friends.
“We asked a focus group of cats if we should include them and they all agreed the dogs need church more than they do,” joked Eggebeen, laughing then apologizing. “Sorry. You can imagine that I needed to develop quite a few lines like that to get people to lighten up and open up to this concept.
“Here’s the simple truth: Where there is love, there is God. For many people, especially people living alone, their dogs are their best friends, really essential companions in their lives. And we always emphasize: We’re not worshiping dogs. We’re worshiping God. But in this worship service, we welcome the whole family, including our four-legged family members.”
On Sunday afternoon, Eggebeen showed up just after 4 p.m. to arrange seating for up to 30 humans and their pets at the 5 p.m. service. He spread out chairs and fluffy white dog pads, using the chapel’s space lengthwise to face a side altar. The arrangement places him just an arm’s reach away from the long front row in this casual service. Occasionally, he pets someone’s dog himself. During the offering, ushers pass both a collection plate that the humans fill and a basket of dog treats that the canines empty.
“My dogs are my best friends,” said Ryan Gerardveal, who visited the canine service for the first time on Sunday with his friend Ryan LaRochelle to see how it all unfolds at Covenant.
Gerardveal said he was skeptical about this whole idea, so brought neither of his dogs, a Pomeranian and a pit bull. But, on Sunday, he said he was impressed to see LaRochelle take a seat in the front row and cradle his Chihuahua-terrier, Lilliana, on his lap throughout the service. The little dog seemed to enjoy the experience and Gerardveal left convinced that he should return with one of his own four-legged friends on a future Sunday.
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