LOS ANGELES (November 4, 2009)—In an effort to attract new members, the pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles turns God's house into a doghouse for one service each Sunday.

The church’s 30-minute "Canines at Covenant" worship service includes individual doggie beds, canine prayers and an offering of dog treats.

The church's pastor, the Rev. Tom Eggebeen, says many Christians love their pets as much as human family members, but churches have been slow to recognize that love as the work of God.

"When we love a dog and a dog loves us, that's a part of God and God is a part of that,” he said.

Laura Hobgood-Oster, a religion professor at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, said she has heard of half-a-dozen other congregations that hold dog-friendly worship services, including one in a Boston suburb called Woof 'n Worship.