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Featured Cowboy Churches

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Arbo, Jun 18, 2013.

  1. Arbo

    Arbo Active Member
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    Anyone have any experiences with them? Other that aesthetics, are they any different from the mainstream varieties? Thanks.
     
  2. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    I currently pastor a cowboy church. They are very different.
     
  3. Arbo

    Arbo Active Member
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    In what way?
     
  4. Arbo

    Arbo Active Member
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    Admittedly, my experience is nil, and my knowledge of them is based only on Wikipedia (which is questionable).
     
  5. Thousand Hills

    Thousand Hills Active Member

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    I have never been to one, and this is something I would have thought was pretty silly a few years ago. Obviously, as I've gotten older I've realized that although a church may "look" like what you expect a church to "look" like doesn't necessarily make it a healthy church. I'm sick of the attitude of everything has to be perfect (putting on a performance/show) and all the focus on the wrong things. If the gospel is preached and genuine love is shown to one another in a Cowboy church then go for it. I recently came across a website for a local CC that I may convince the wifey to go visit sometime just to check it out, the site did not give a clear statement of faith/affiliation, so I'd probably want to investigate that a bit more.
     
  6. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    They actually are more inclusive of all kinds of people. The church understands if we do not see some folks for a while as they are dealing with livestock issues that do not always cooperate with human schedules. We have ministries like chuckwagon ministry, rodeo ministry, etc. There is usually a more lax way of organizing the church. Not to big on business meetings, if we are going to have one there better be a real good reason for it. We do not pick at trivials like tobacco use or how someone dresses. It is highly likely that some folks will come in to church with dirty jeans the the smell of natures fragrances because they have been up before the rooster working livestock.

    If you really want to learn more about them the videos on this link is a good place to start.

    http://www.americanfcc.org/content.cfm?id=236
     
  7. righteousdude2

    righteousdude2 Well-Known Member
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    I love them....

    ....but, my cleaning crew complains about the shovel and broom rake. :laugh: Yeeha!
     
  8. Oldtimer

    Oldtimer New Member

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    We visit a local Cowboy Church from time to time. Their "Wednesday night" is on Tuesday, so as not to conflict with other (traditional) churches in the area. Awhile back they held a revival & our pastor lead the services one night.

    Suspect that "Cowboy" churches vary by region. While we have a number of people in this area who like to ride horses, we have very few, if any true cowboys - those who herd cattle on horseback. So, I suspect there will be regional differences to be taken into consideration when discussing these churches. Especially to prevent using a broad sterotype paint brush to classify these assemblies.

    From what I've observed this church fits a niche and is appealling to people who do not fit the mold for traditional Sunday 10:00 am worship service. Trappings & atmosphere is much more casual. For example, while the order of service is much like my home church, it isn't as ridgid. ie following bullet points on a program. -- Opening hymn Rock of Ages page nnn. They may sing 2 opening hymns, the 2nd being a spur of the moment special request.

    It isn't about the horseshoe curtain rod holders, cowboy boots, or a cowboy hat collection plate. It's about what is preached when the man wearing jeans and a plaid shirt steps to the barnwood pulpit. If he can deliver the same message from my home church pulpit, what do I have to be critical about?

    BTW, the pastor of our local Cowboy church, has done just that, when he has filled in our pastor's absence.
     
  9. JohnDeereFan

    JohnDeereFan Well-Known Member
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    I don't think they're Biblical and those who are involved in them have their ecclesiology seriously messed up.

    Where in the Bible do we ever see churches created to cater to somebody's interests?

    That's pride. "I don't like church, so I'm going to create a church to fit my personality and my interests" is a terrible understanding of the Church and our role in it.

    The Church is not there to entertain us or suit our desires.

    And that's another issue. Should church really be casual? Or should it be reverent?
     
    #9 JohnDeereFan, Jun 19, 2013
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  10. Oldtimer

    Oldtimer New Member

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    IMO, every God-fearing church is created in somebody's interests - Our Lord Jesus Christ.

    Why is it Biblical to take the offering in a finely finished carved wooden felt lined bowl, and it isn't when the offering plate is a cowboy hat? Is there a Biblical difference between a highly polished brass cross behind the pulpit of one church and a cross made of rough 2x4's in another? For believers, is there a Biblical difference between being baptised in a glass lined heated pool and being baptised in a horse trough?

    If the same Gospel message is preached in Main Street Baptist Church and Main Street Cowboy Church, how is their "ecclesiology seriously messed up"?

    Edit: You edited your post after I quoted. Question still stands however.
     
    #10 Oldtimer, Jun 19, 2013
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  11. JohnDeereFan

    JohnDeereFan Well-Known Member
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    But we're not talking about creating a church in Our Lord Jesus Christ's interest, are we?

    We're talking about creating a church to cater to the interests of individuals who feel they have the need to customize church to suit them.

    That's like asking "If the infield fly rule is in effect, then why do you have to mix gas and oil together in a 2 cycle engine". They're two different things.
     
  12. sag38

    sag38 Active Member

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    In other words, "If we can't reach them the traditional way then to hell with them." It is the sheer height of arrogance to think that one's church tradition is the only way to get it done.
     
  13. JohnDeereFan

    JohnDeereFan Well-Known Member
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    First of all, it's not about "reaching them" ("them", I assume, being the lost). Church is for the ekklesia, not for the world. It's for the Body of Christ.

    The Biblical model of evangelism is never to make the church acceptable to the world or customze the church to the world's desires, but for the church to go out into the world and preach the Gospel to the lost and call them to repent.

    ...says the person defending the practice of basing church on "one's traditions".

    Do yo really not see the irony in your statement?
     
  14. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    Kind of stuck his foot in his mouth didn't he. Of course he has no idea what he is talking about. You know the old saying "it is better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you are a fool, than it is to open your mouth and show them all that you are for sure."
     
    #14 Revmitchell, Jun 19, 2013
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  15. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    Let me guess, you probably chose a church based on what music you like, location (convenience), Bible translation used, etc. Oh the hypocrisy.
     
  16. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    How many Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos, etc. are in the typical Cowboy Church? Just curious as to how far the word inclusive goes?
     
  17. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    Our church planted a cowboy church 6 years ago or so. That church has gone on to plant another cowboy church and a 'normal' church. For anybody to say God does not use this means is pure foolishness.

    As to answer the inclusive question, like in most churches, whoever desires to attend can. If you like horses, hay, dirt floor, country themed music, go for it! Its not my thing, but the pastor that left our church to plant Life Brand is an excellent one!
     
  18. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    I would say over 90% are native Americian - as most members of Cowboy churches are born in Americian. The other groups you mentioned - I would have no ideal - as those terms mean nothing.
     
  19. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    Well we do not think in terms of race. But there are far more than you probably think depending on what part of the country you are in. Everything is not a race issue.
     
  20. JohnDeereFan

    JohnDeereFan Well-Known Member
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    I'm not offended that you call me a fool. I'm really not. What I am, though, in light of Matthew 5:22, is very concerned for you.

    I don't really see how it's hypocrisy to choose a church based on those things but, who knows. I also can't find any place in the Bible that says that the purpose of church is to customize a church service to entertain goats.
     
    #20 JohnDeereFan, Jun 19, 2013
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