There is more to pet ministry than blessing animals once a year.
For over two decades, the Rev. Betsy Singleton Snyder and pet ministry director Gayle Fiser of Pinnacle View United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Ark., have helped United Methodist churches develop ministries that care for both pets and the people who love them.
Their new book, “New Tricks: How Pet Ministry Can Transform Faith Communities and Change Lives,” shares practical guidance for congregations looking to begin their own ministries.
Churches are discovering that caring for God’s creatures builds meaningful community connections, offers comfort during times of grief and creates new opportunities to share Christ’s love with people who might never have walked through the church’s doors.
Lilla Marigza reports for UM News.
“New Tricks: How Pet Ministry Can Transform Faith Communities and Change Lives” is available through Upper Room Books, Cokesbury and Amazon.
For more pet ministry ideas, check out this video: Dog church welcomes people and pets.
Marigza is a multimedia producer for UM News. Contact her at (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umnews.org. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free UM News Digest.
