By Neal Pollard
Minister at the Bear Valley church of Christ
The interesting visitor at our devotional last night, a chocolate lab named Bear that someone dropped off with Aaron and Kylee Melton as she dealt with a personal crisis, reminded me of another “dog at church” story from my youth. Back in the mid-’70s, when my dad was the preacher at the Rockmart, Georgia, church of Christ, there was a Collie dog that apparently knew our schedule of services. Faithfully, rain or shine, summer or winter, she would be out on the front steps greeting all the members and visitors. She wasn’t allowed inside the building, but she’d dutifully lay on those steps until we were finished with services. Then, she would cheerfully bid us all goodbye. When the building was locked up and everyone had left, this convicted canine would make her way back home. I don’t know how many years this went on for, but the notoriety of the “church of Christ” dog was seemingly known throughout the community.
One Sunday, my dad preached a sermon about this dog. His application was brilliant and uncanny. She was always “at church,” no matter what. Surely she was mistreated or had a crossword hurled at her at some point, since, incredibly, not everyone is a dog person. Her faithful presence was a great example to the community. She greeted everyone freely, not just a select few. She didn’t seem to distinguish by age, gender, race, or income status. If she was not there, as it apparently was on an occasion or two, everyone noticed and was concerned. He probably said more, but that I remember this much nearly 40 years later indicates how impressive the object lesson was. Paul told the Colossian Christians that their faith and love was renowned and well-reported (Col. 1:4). The Jerusalem church very quickly had favor among all the people (Acts 2:47). The Thessalonians were a notable example throughout their region of the world (1 Th. 1:7). As we line up our goals and resolutions for this new year, why not determine, as the whole body and as individual members of it, to make that clear and deep an impression on the people in our lives and those who chance to encounter us. Dogs are renowned for their faithfulness. So should Christians be (cf. 2 Tim. 2:2).
