Many Christians who care about animals and want to live compassionately view our choices as a natural extension of core Christian values: love, mercy, and stewardship of creation.
Yet, we’re often uneasy about sharing our convictions or advocating for animals within our faith communities. We may fear rejection or worry that we’ll be labeled “pushy.” But helping to bring about positive change for animals doesn’t always require big, bold action. The ideas below are gentle and practical: simple actions and conversations that can quietly widen your congregation’s circle of compassion—one coffee hour, potluck, prayer, or ministry moment at a time.
Donate vegan creamer to the coffee station. Sunrise services call for a hot cup of joe. When everyone is making their pre-church stop at the welcome table, they’ll have the opportunity to test-drive a tasty coffee creamer that helps keep mother cows and their babies together. Choose an irresistible flavor like Maple Waffle, Cinnamon Churro, or Pumpkin Spice from one of our favorite brands. If your church doesn’t have a refrigerator, look for Silk’s Oat Milk Singles (we like Oatmeal Cookie), JOI’s Plant-Based Prebiotic Blend packets, Coconut Cloud Dried Coconut Milk Creamer, and more. If it’s your day to supply the snacks, bring vegan donuts or cookies too!
Share copies of PETA LAMBS’ Companion Animal Grief Programin your church’s library or literature shelf. The pain of losing an animal family member is as poignant as any other significant loss. This faith-based 6-week program includes weekly verses, daily reflections, and journal prompts to help those in mourning work through their grief—and remember that goodbye isn’t the end.
Make crave-worthy vegan dishes for potlucks, bake sales, and Bible studies. PETA offers hundreds of free recipes on its website to help you find the perfect main dish, side, dessert, or snack. Print out recipe cards, and plan ahead with kind answers to questions like, “Why don’t you cook with eggs?”
Bring a fun, animal-themed activity to Vacation Bible School. Volunteering for VBS? Help kids discover who animals are and fun ways to care for them. Decorate birdhouses with cruelty-free, non-toxic paint, and talk about how God knows and cares for every bird. Color pictures of the creation, and discuss how He created every animal and gave them all unique talents. Play “Garden of Eden”: Children decorate paper plate masks of their favorite animals and talk to the class about them. Or plant a pollinator-friendly garden and explain how God’s design allows plants and animals to help each other.
Give animal-friendly gifts for Secret Pal exchanges, Sunday School Teacher Appreciation Day, and Clergy Appreciation Month. Think cruelty-free bath and beauty products, soy candles, a vegan leather Bible carrier, silk-free ties, vegan chocolates, wool-free blankets and sweaters, feather-free decorative pillows, animal-safe Christmas ornaments, vegan leather devotional books, or delicious homemade goodies.
Let an animal-friendly film do the talking. If your Sunday School class or youth group gets together for movie nights, choose a beautiful film such as Called to Rescue, A Prayer for Compassion, or Peaceable Kingdom: The Journey Home. Find more at FilmsforChange.com.
Volunteer to help plan the live nativity—and keep it animal-free. Animals used in live nativities are commonly rented from abusive exhibitors and forced into frightening situations, including being handled by strangers and surrounded by noisy traffic and bright lights. Many have attempted to flee and have injured themselves or bystanders. Offer to help make wood or sturdy cardboard animals that are safe, humane, and can be used again next year.
Wear a shirt with a message of compassion. For casual events or come-as-you-are services, toss on one of PETA LAMBS’ shirts or another tee that encourages showing Christ-like love to everyone.
Expand your volunteer outreach to animal causes. Many churches do a wonderful job of providing food and clothing to people experiencing homelessness, bringing joy to kids at Christmas, and caring for elderly or ill congregants. Help expand your parish’s circle of compassion by suggesting a food and toy drive for the local shelter, a volunteer day at a farmed animal sanctuary, or a litter cleanup.
Help make it meat-free Friday every day. Lent presents an ideal opportunity to share new meal ideas with members who are already abstaining from eating most animals. This is a great time for casual conversations about recipes and favorite products with a more receptive audience.
Pray for animals. When you’re praying aloud in front of a group, a few simple words such as “Father, please comfort the animals you lovingly created who are suffering in laboratories,” can open someone’s eyes to the cruelty of experimentation and pave the way for a longer conversation.
With each small act of mercy, keep the tone kind and hopeful, and trust God to grow the compassion you’re modeling.
