Paws in the pew
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Reflections
Michael J. Brooks
Someone recommended a Facebook group for Southern Baptist pastors. The recommender forewarned it would give thoughtful opinion, good humor and genuine frustration! And he’s correct.
Some responders are dogmatic about things, seeming not to realize that the nation’s largest evangelical body has leaders with different opinions.
And speaking of dogmatic, a pastor wrote recently about a unique situation. He said a person asked about bringing their dog to church, explaining the animal had “separation anxieties” and couldn’t be at home alone.
One wonders if this dog goes to the grocery store and football games, too? Anyway, the pastor sought counsel about how to deal with this.
Several responded and asked if this was a service animal. He said not. Another asked about people wanting to bring their anxious pot-bellied pigs or pythons to church.
Another asked about liability if the dog bit someone or infested the church with fleas. Another responder compounded the issue inquiring if the dog dared to eat a doughnut in the worship place. And another wit asked if the dog responded to the sermon with a “howl-laleuia”!
I remember two dogs in church.
Carolyn brought her chihuahua, “Hershey Bar,” to her children’s class one Sunday morning after promising the boys and girls she would. Hershey was well behaved, and the children loved it.
And I attended a church in Plains, Ga., a few years ago when a lady walked in with her puppy. The dog greeted me by jumping on my knee and licking my hand. I was so impressed with this that I suggested to our church, with a chuckle, we add a canine to our greeting team!
Christians have wondered if there will be animals in heaven. For years I suggested not since men and women alone have opportunity to know God. But in recent years, I’m challenged by Isaiah’s prophecy that in the millennium, the wolf will lie down with the lamb, and the little child will scamper beside the adder’s den. God gave us animals to enjoy on earth, and I think He will continue to in heaven.
The only surety is that there won’t be any deer heads on the mansion walls.
A local pastor insisted the deceased was now “hunting and fishing” in heaven – an enjoyment he wasn’t able to do in the many years of his disability. I immediately thought of another prophecy from Isaiah that “they won’t hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain.”
Heaven will be a world at peace, at last.
So, if you want to bring a dog to our church, let’s talk about it.
If he’s a service animal, he’s welcomed.
If he has anxieties, let me help you find a canine counselor.
Michael J. Brooks, pastor of Siluria Baptist Church in Alabaster and former Judson College faculty member, writes a weekly faith column. Visit siluriabaptist.com.
