Cowboy churches rope in new Christians

I think Aaron is right - ministries should be geared toward getting people into the general fellowship of the church. Cowboy churches and hiphop churches etc that seperate people by culture are not doing what they should be doing if their people are not growing beyond their sub-cultural identity.

 

Who says it is sub-culture?

Cheers,

Jim

 

You don't think that "cowboy" identifies an American sub-culture? Maybe I'm not using "sub-culture" in the academically approved manner, but I can tell you that even in southern rural communities, the cowboy mentality does not represent the general population.

Let me ask a question: if a cowboy thinks I'm stuck-up, superficial, and pretentious because I wear a suite and tie to church, who is judging whom?

 

Both are misjudging. I always dress prim and proper, but it is wrong for me to judge the bloke who comes in jeans. I speak proper English, most of the times. I cannot expect everyone to speak as do I.

The cowboy culture is prominent where I live and we are Canadians. I could be the oddball, but everyone here just knows I am English.

Now, how are they responding to Jesus Christ in their lives? That is where I might step in and offer some word. Not on how they dress and cultural behaviours, but on their spiritual demeanor.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Does Ephesians 6:15-18 apply?

Aren't you doing the same thing? Aren't you telling them that they have to come to "us" on "our" terms? What am I missing here?

If the idea is to get the cowboys into a local church, then what's unbiblical here?

 

This wasn't the intention of the cowboy church we launched.

 

Does anyone know of a SIX FLAGS OVER JESUS CHURCH?

 

Good point. Here is the core of my concern: it is not good for people to isolate themselves from the rest of society (or more germain, the rest of the church), and one of the way people facilitate their isolation is by clinging to the trappings of their local culture.

Now let me make this clear - I am FOR local culture. I am a southern hillbilly redneck. I love it when Hank Williams Jr. sings "if heaven ain't a lot like Dixie, I don't want to go!" (of course, that's blasphemy, but it is the way I feel).

But there is a time to be a cowboy, and a time to be part of something bigger. If Christians ain't growin', it ain't right. That's all I'm saying.

 

JD.............You see my two photos? The one on the right is virtually how I dressed in teaching and ministry and walking down the street,,,,even before I had breakfast.

The one on the left is how I dress now,,in summer,,and have even attended church like that.

Now, am I any less spiritual in the left photo than in the right photo? You can't tell by my dress. You would soon know if there is a difference when I speak. To my mind, that is what counts.

I agree with you that all should grow in faith regardless of dress.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Well, in this thread, the issue is more than just the way people dress - I'm talking about cultural identity as a whole. But I did start a thread on dressing up or down.

BTW I like the photo on the right. :thumbs: Very distinguished!

 

Paul Washer probably does. He uses that illustration a lot in his sermons. :laugh:

 

The Cowboy Church shows that Christians are growing and branching out.

 

You're missing the Gospel message. They come to Christ on HIS terms.

 

And nowhere in the Bible did Jesus say "Thou shall not where a cowboy hat and boots." You appear to be judging on externals, but God looks on the heart.

 

I see... they can't come on a horse! And it must be on a Sunday! I get it now.

 

His terms are poverty of spirit, and godly sorrow. He hates pride and exhibitionism.

 

Then I'm sure he is hating your posts right about now :BangHead:

 

Finding it hard to defend the antics of the Cowboy Church, are you?

 

Finding it hard to defend you.

 

:laugh: How about just once trying to defend the Gospel?