The Cowboy Church, Vol 2

Since the previous thread is near 500 posts, I'm starting a new one so I'll have someplace to post about The Cowboy Church. Hoping some of you enjoy this topic as much as I enjoy talking about it. It's a great church.

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From the first thread:

Posted a little about my new church earlier and thought some folks might be interested in knowing more. Although this church is the largest and located in Ellis County, Texas, Cowboy Churches are springing up all over the US. I've heard it's one of the fastest growing congregations right now, and I can see why. It's a great church.

In a nutshell, here's what I wrote in another thread...

I've found a new church home in the Cowboy Church. Biblical teachings in a very non-judgmental and welcoming environment. Members range from real cowboys in hats & jeans to hardcore Harley riders. 1000-1500 people show up for each of 2 Sun morning services. Definitely conservative, but their teachings aren't too political. Unless praying for the troops and our country is considered political.

Check it out and see what you think. Good people doing good things.

http://www.cowboyfaith.org/

 

I will help 'kick off' the new thread...

Noticed on Wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowboy_church

that the Waxahachie Cowboy Church (S. of Dallas) is the biggest.

My personal experience as a 'guy' is that much of the 'modern protestant' church services seem to estrange men and are more tailored for the female participants. Lots of singing, particularly slow hymns with worship, etc. Whereas the Cowboy Churches seem more attractive & less threatening to men. The one I went to in S. CO had worship but after much hand-clapping & up-beat celebratory singing. I can see why this type of informal church, which still preaches the Gospel, is growing nation wide.

 

Thx for the bump, OT. And I agree... the Cowboy Church is definitely more appealing to men than more traditional churches. I think part of the reason is they got rid of a lot of the 'pushy' traditions of most churches... like dress codes and asking visitors to stand or fill out forms. They also forego the usual 'invitation' urging people to profess their faith by coming to the front of the church... as well as passing the offering plate.

Those coming to Cowboy Church will be greeted by a warm handshake at the door and asked to participate in the general welcoming at the beginning of each service by shaking hands with those around them. After that, people are left alone. No forms, no offering plate (there are little tin churches at the back for offerings... and the church takes in more than it spends). And no invitational... although church elders and the pastor are at the back of the church after the service for anyone who'd like to talk to them.

When I took my church-shy 85 yr old stepdad there for the first time, he gave them the ultimate compliment when one of his golfer friends asked how he liked it. "They don't ask you to do anything" was his response. That made it a perfect place to worship and reflect in his opinion. LOL, mine too.

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Who's "OT?"

Yeah, I used to hate it when they asked the visitors to raise a hand (or even stand) so they could give them a visitor card & recognition. Many churches these days count heads & post them at the front!! As in 'keeping score' or "notches."

And altar calls, altho sound good as in "If you are ashamed of Him in front of men , He will be ashamed of you in the Day of Salvation"..etc., many will commit their lives after hearing & later studying the word of God. Nothing magical about walking down an aisle---have seen many pressured to do so, and "it didnt take," to use the old cliche.

 

Sorry, darlin... typo.

Folks should be allowed to go to church without being confronted. Catholic churches I've visited don't accost people. Even if you don't participate, nobody runs over to sign you up.

Some of it has to do with the size of this CC. I have to admit, when I tried the CC of Dallas County, a much smaller and newer church, walking into a congregation of 50 people as opposed to 1250, even if it is a Cowboy Church, was a little unnerving. I really prefer the anonymity of a large church.

 

J/K.... sweetie

Been to very small (20 ppl) and very large (5,000-10,000 ppl) churches and agree with liking the anonymity! When going to a 'new' church as a visitor, I like to 'observe' B4 buying into their 'rigger-ma-row.'

 

Yeah, I'm not much of a 'joiner' when it comes to side missions or groups. I appreciate people who do, but I'd just as soon write 'em a check. This church gives me a good excuse... it's too far to drive... except on Sundays.

 

Don't ya just love to say Waxahachie? Not gonna join the discussion though...too envious.

 

Sally Field liked it so much that she moved there for a while after filming the movie Places In the Heart.

All I remember about Wax-etc. is that they beat my HS in the state BBall playoffs....

 

Reminds me of trying to give a Waxahachie address to a 'nothen'r' on the phone. After I repeated it twice she said, "Yeah, yeah, I got that first word, but how do you spell Hachie?"

LOL, great little town 25 mi south of Dallas. Grow great churches there.

 

Well, the first worshippers of Jesus were their day's equivalent of cowboys.

 

A blessed Christmas to all

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gz_TPtn8VVo&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gz_TPtn8VVo&feature=related[/ame]

 

Wow, its been a while.

Lets do this.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_OTz-lpDjw&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_OTz-lpDjw&feature=related[/ame]

 

Wow! Nice crowd @ Cowboy Church today. Not sure why so many showed up... not a special day or anything. Must've been 2000 at the 10:30 service.

Brother Gary apologized for a rerun sermon, but he talked about the purpose of Cowboy Church. Pointed out that church attendance and folks joining churches has fallen off 17% in the last decade and CC was created to provide an alternative to traditional Christian churches. He told of a story of a guy who showed up for several Sundays in a row when the church first started, reeking of alcohol. He said it wasn't long until several members complained to him and the lay pastors that something need to be done... he needed to be 'taught' the proper way to attend church. He used a fishing analogy to explain how some churches take out their shiny clean bass boats, but refuse to pull in any fish who haven't already been cleaned. Said it makes for a nice boat, but doesn't achieve much at the end of the day. The Cowboy Church welcomes all comers. No one is turned away.

Reminded us that sometimes God leads us places where, when the time is right, He wants us to be to help spread his word. IOW, when someone in pain reaches out, every single member of any church is responsible for offering them a spiritual hand.

Lovely thought, very nice service.

A study group is starting in April that sounds very interesting. Wishing I lived close enough to participate. The one they held last year was based on A Purpose-Driven Life... but the theme of this year's event hasn't been decided yet. The Elders of the church will be praying about a subject and the congregation was asked to pray for a topic to arise as well. The temporary title is pretty intriguing... can't wait to hear what the subject will be. This was printed in big letters on today's program.

NOT A FAN

Hmmmmmm, wonder what it'll be about?

 

Wow, time flies! Can't believe I haven't posted on this thread since March!

Sorry Cowboy Church... I've been a back-slider.

Promise to catch up soon!

 

'Back-slider' is too much of a judgemental Baptist term...I prefer to consider myself as a "Christian in Idle." (but only as far as attending an 'official church bldg!')...and 'hope' that my local 'Church of the Recliner' counts....

 

LOL, I believe it does count. Just like the little prayer I said driving to work this morning, "Lord, thank you for my job when so many people are without."

I don't think He much cares about your physical location.

 

After 10 yrs of drivng over-the-road in all kinds of weather and in many big, strange cities at night, my 'just talking with the Lord' kept me safe and out of harm---when Christians realize that he doesnt look for 'flowery prayers,' but what comes from a sincere heart, they will change as 'being true followers of Christ!'

 

What's nice about a large church, SMW, is that you dont have the "We-missed-you-in-church-today" police to come around, keeping score, or worrying if you are back-slidden...

BTW, Not everybody can be as faithful as 'me,' who attends the Church of the Recliner every single day; and often in the afternoon, I regularly get 'slain in the spirit' (aka, take a siesta)!

 

BTW, have you ever looked into Cowboy Church 'membership?' I'll bet that they arent like the Baptist, AOG, independent fundamentalist ones I've been thru that have you sign a form with rules such as:

1) No smoking
2) No drinking alcohol
3) Must be a 10% Tither to their church

NT scripture of course talks nothing about smoking (wasnt appl then), but per Paul's instructions, the leaders shud be men of little alcohol (i.e. not addicted to or drunkards), and tithing wasnt preached to the Gentile churches as mandatory, but the practice of 'giving' with a cheerful heart, and not by obligation which hardens one's heart.

 

There's no tithing or passing the collection plate at Cowboy Church. Smaller churches hang a bucket by the door for donations. My church has little tin churches on tables scattered around with slits for donations and/or prayer requests. They bring in more $$$ than it costs to run the church. Last year, we voted to spend the excess building a new Children's Church. It's beautiful.

Here's some good advice for that Recliner Church of yours!

 

Yeah, thx, my regular attendance hasnt grown past "1" yet!!

Also have been to churches that have a donation box by the door, and dont try to use scriptures to manhandle' the attendees or use the good ole 'guilt trip' on them. Or pass around the plate with everybody looking to see who puts in!

And those ministries, even such as those of TV, who may make their needs known, which is OK, who one day say that are 'trusting God to provide,' and then threaten the next time with "If we dont get the $$ reqd to keep this ministry going, it will fold!" Now, that's faith <cough, hack>

 

Yeah, but ya know, darlin... the Lord moves in mysterious ways. I think some people need that structure in their lives so I think there's room for all churches. Even megachurches & TV evagelists! Amen and pass the offering plate! Daddy needs a new pair o'shoes!!!

Memberhip's an interesting mix of city slickers and country folks at my Cowboy Church, with a generous sprinkling of bikers and military personnel. Another large demographic in the congregation is law enforcement. The church has what they call the "Safety Committee" and although I've seen the term, didn't give it much thought until they introduced them one Sunday. Ret & active Sheriffs, Highway Patrol, Dallas cops, rural Chief of Police... let's just say we all feel very 'safe' in the Cowboy Church on Sunday mornings. Praise God for brave Christian men.

 

You said it was in Waxahachie? I still remember it as a hick town, waayyy out of the Dallas city limits. Bet you get a lot of 'Gentlemen farmers' (retired docs/lawyers, etc.) there now. Sounds like a good mix of folk, which is what a church body shud be. Glad to see those types of churches prospering these days....the formal, churches of the dead are going away, and ppl are coming out of them, which tracks the end-time era of the church prophecies...

 

Yeah, it's in Waxahachie. But it's only about 20 miles south of Dallas Still a sleepy little town and lots of ranchers, but of course, they've had their own urban sprawl spring up around the local Walmart.

Cowboy Church of Ellis County - Greeters at the front gate



Sanctuary



Arena



Great place for kids. Even city kids can be cowboys!