Should Churches hold Pet Blessings?

Archivist · Feb 24, 2020

Maria Billingsley said:
Well it may be a couple of reasons to defend the practice however, there is no scriptural evidence that The Father would ever want us to use His representation of new birth through water baptism for animals Blessings

But it isn’t a baptism, it is a blessing.

RaymondG · Feb 24, 2020

Archivist said:
But it isn’t a baptism, it is a blessing.

What do you believe is the benefit of the blessing? It is helpful for the pet, or just for the owner?

Paidiske · Feb 24, 2020

Sketcher said:
I suppose it depends on the people. If someone's allergic or is terrified of one or more of the animals, that would be a terrible first-time experience. If you get any North Korean refugees let's say, some of them might have PTSD around any kind of dog because of how their military and police train and use them. Such is the case with a friend of my mom's, who to my knowledge never ambled into a church that was having a service like that, but if she did, she probably would not be back.

You could say that about anything, though. Someone could be allergic to the stuff you use to polish the furniture, or might have PTSD triggered by a clerical collar if they've been abused, or anything else.

Now if we know someone has such an issue of course we should do all we can to care for them. But I'm not sure that's an argument for never doing something where someone might have an issue.

RaymondG · Feb 24, 2020

I think a, bring your pet to church day, would be fun.

Maria Billingsley · Feb 24, 2020

Archivist said:
But it isn’t a baptism, it is a blessing.

Sounds like a baptism to me.

Original post
The church that I have been attending since I moved doesn't do this at the church, but when the Pastor visits homes he gladly sprinkles pets with holy water and blesses them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Scripture
Matthew 28:19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

Paidiske · Feb 24, 2020

It might be helpful to realise that in some churches, blessing objects (or homes, or various other things) by sprinkling with water and invoking God is a very normal thing to do, and not at all conflated with baptism.

Maria Billingsley · Feb 24, 2020

Paidiske said:
It might be helpful to realise that in some churches, blessing objects (or homes, or various other things) by sprinkling with water and invoking God is a very normal thing to do, and not at all conflated with baptism.

Understood! Since this is not denomination specific, I thought I would quote scripture.
Blessings

Sketcher · Feb 24, 2020

Paidiske said:
You could say that about anything, though. Someone could be allergic to the stuff you use to polish the furniture, or might have PTSD triggered by a clerical collar if they've been abused, or anything else.

Now if we know someone has such an issue of course we should do all we can to care for them. But I'm not sure that's an argument for never doing something where someone might have an issue.

Very true. The reason I cited though, makes it impractical for a big church like mine that most people in town have at least heard of. You never know who is going to wander in to check it out, and I think the size makes it easier for a lot of people who just want to come alone and test the waters. (Besides - the sheer number of pets would be crazy, especially if we were to combine all three services into one!)

rockytopva · Feb 24, 2020

I have often thanked God for my furry friends in Jesus name and in hopes that if there is a rapture of the church that I can take them with me. I pray for my furry friends by laying my hands on them and praying health and blessings in Jesus name. I think, though, that communion, baptism, and church service are for humans. Service pets, though, I would not think inappropriate for church... However...

Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.- Matthew 7:6

Communion for pets would be taking things too far.

GaveMeJoy · Feb 24, 2020

Archivist said:
Two years ago two little kittens arrived at my house. They have managed to rip my couch apart, brought down four sets of drapes, and destroyed various items ranging from a wall clock to an antique beer stein. They have also become my two great loves and I cannot imagine life without them.

My home church has a yearly pet blessing where people bring pets ranging from dogs and cats to lizards and turtles to hamsters and Guinea pigs to be blessed by the Pastor. The church that I have been attending since I moved doesn't do this at the church, but when the Pastor visits homes he gladly sprinkles pets with holy water and blesses them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

I think blessing pets is wonderful. What do you all think?

Cute pets! I believe that you have a direct line of communication with God through Jesus Christ and equal standing with him as an adopted child as any Person, pastor, pauper or pope.

Using “holy water” is inconsistent with scripture in my opinion. Praying directly to God for blessings on your furry friends has equal weight with the father as your pastor doing the same.

Never let a human being tell you that you are not an adopted child of God if you believe in Christ. No man is a mediator between you and God but JESUS.

Albion · Feb 24, 2020

Archivist said:
At my home church it is a special Sunday afternoon blessing service held on the Sunday closest to October 4th.

Of course. That's the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. As for your question, the church has a long tradition of blessing boats of fishermen, of the homes of parishioners, and so on...so why not your cats? :oldthumbsup:

Paidiske · Feb 24, 2020

Sketcher said:
Very true. The reason I cited though, makes it impractical for a big church like mine that most people in town have at least heard of. You never know who is going to wander in to check it out, and I think the size makes it easier for a lot of people who just want to come alone and test the waters. (Besides - the sheer number of pets would be crazy, especially if we were to combine all three services into one!)

Must admit I've probably never done this with a congregation bigger than about 50 people, so I can't speak to what it would be like to do it with hundreds. I know it happens in some places, though, so those places have probably figured out some of the challenges and logistics.

But it's one of those things; some people might avoid it and some might come especially because of it. In either case promotion and communication are probably key, so that people know what they're coming to.

Sketcher · Feb 24, 2020

Paidiske said:
But it's one of those things; some people might avoid it and some might come especially because of it. In either case promotion and communication are probably key, so that people know what they're coming to.

That's the key, I think. If we were to do something like that, I think it would need to be a separate, announced event - which could likely be pulled off.

rockytopva · Feb 24, 2020

rockytopva said:
I have often thanked God for my furry friends in Jesus name and in hopes that if there is a rapture of the church that I can take them with me. I pray for my furry friends by laying my hands on them and praying health and blessings in Jesus name. I think, though, that communion, baptism, and church service are for humans. Service pets, though, I would not think inappropriate for church... However...

Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.- Matthew 7:6

Communion for pets would be taking things too far.

Pet blessings would be pretty neat though and I would take mine.

Albion · Feb 24, 2020

In a lot of places, the church blessings like we are speaking about are for anyone who has a pet and wants to show up, so you might make a point of checking the church pages in the newspaper at that time of year.

SkyWriting · Feb 24, 2020

Sketcher said:
Has there ever been a problem with people attending that week who were allergic to cats, or afraid of dogs, or pets that just didn't get along with other pets?

People usually keep problem pets away from others.
It's the owners full legal responsibility.

DamianWarS · Feb 24, 2020

Archivist said:
Two years ago two little kittens arrived at my house. They have managed to rip my couch apart, brought down four sets of drapes, and destroyed various items ranging from a wall clock to an antique beer stein. They have also become my two great loves and I cannot imagine life without them.

My home church has a yearly pet blessing where people bring pets ranging from dogs and cats to lizards and turtles to hamsters and Guinea pigs to be blessed by the Pastor. The church that I have been attending since I moved doesn't do this at the church, but when the Pastor visits homes he gladly sprinkles pets with holy water and blesses them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

I think blessing pets is wonderful. What do you all think?

Abstractly I have no issue with it but if can see it taken to irresponsible levels. To me if you want your pet blessed then do it yourself as you have the same power of Christ as any member of clergy does. While you're at it bless you doors in your house, your kitchen and living room, bless you front yard and car and even your neighbor's car and every place your feet touch. Carrying Christ in this way will have a dramatic effect on how you see the world.

Cis.jd · Feb 24, 2020

Archivist said:
Two years ago two little kittens arrived at my house. They have managed to rip my couch apart, brought down four sets of drapes, and destroyed various items ranging from a wall clock to an antique beer stein. They have also become my two great loves and I cannot imagine life without them.

My home church has a yearly pet blessing where people bring pets ranging from dogs and cats to lizards and turtles to hamsters and Guinea pigs to be blessed by the Pastor. The church that I have been attending since I moved doesn't do this at the church, but when the Pastor visits homes he gladly sprinkles pets with holy water and blesses them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

I think blessing pets is wonderful. What do you all think?

I think it's silly but all in good heart. As long as he isn't charging you for this.

GaveMeJoy · Feb 25, 2020

Albion said:
Of course. That's the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. As for your question, the church has a long tradition of blessing boats of fishermen, of the homes of parishioners, and so on...so why not your cats?

At one point, They would even bless your dead relatives and sell you indulgences so you could buy them out of purgatory too. That’s a bargain at any price

throughfiierytrial · Feb 25, 2020

Archivist said:
Two years ago two little kittens arrived at my house. They have managed to rip my couch apart, brought down four sets of drapes, and destroyed various items ranging from a wall clock to an antique beer stein. They have also become my two great loves and I cannot imagine life without them.

My home church has a yearly pet blessing where people bring pets ranging from dogs and cats to lizards and turtles to hamsters and Guinea pigs to be blessed by the Pastor. The church that I have been attending since I moved doesn't do this at the church, but when the Pastor visits homes he gladly sprinkles pets with holy water and blesses them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

I think blessing pets is wonderful. What do you all think?

I don't think it is a good thing. It is not Biblical and only serves to confuse. This is how false practices begin.
To visit a home and say a prayer of blessing on the household and include language like may these pets be a blessing to the family or some such thing, but church...so called *holy Water* which I guess is baptism is way out of line as accordance with Scripture.

Should Churches hold Pet Blessings?

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