What are Cowboy Churches?

In my area, there are a lot of folks who work the rodeo circuit and other things like auctions and more all weekend and they cannot get to church on Sundays, but have a desire to go.

They meet at a local church on Tuesday nights and they meet there. There are very active and evangelical. They call themselves the Cowboy Church.

 

"Cowboy churches" (every one individual, without a denominational set of beliefs/practices) are Christian churches that have a country twist. They are often located in rural areas and have a relaxed, casual atmosphere. Cowboy churches may be housed in barns, community centers, or other unconventional spaces. While originating the 1970's rodeo circuit, they are often appealing to the "rhinestone cowboy" of urban areas who like the language, music, dress etc of the West.

Most uphold the doctrine of the Trinity, recognizing God as one entity in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Salvation is attained through accepting Jesus Christ as Savior and experiencing spiritual rebirth or what some may express as a born-again experience. Each might have denominational "bent" - Baptist, Church of God, Nazarene, Pentecostal - but all are evangelical.

My personal experience would liken it to an even more disorganized SBC group.

 

I'm looking at starting a Renaissance Church. No....not Reformed but themed. The deacons are going to wear armor (well call them knights). That kind of thing.

And yes, we'll have turkey legs.

 

I haven't found proof of that. Very little reference to "tongues" or "new revelation". Some lean to pentecostal, but more like SBC.
But admit I have only a few friends as source of MY thinking. Please verify your position. Thanks.

 

There were a few "Cowboy churches" in my area when I lived in TN. The ones I was familiar with were started by members of SBC churches (sometimes as a means of reaching a community).


When I moved to SC I noticed a lake church (not sure what it was called). They set up at the lakeshore and people attended on the bank or in their boats pulled close to the shore.

I'm not sure how I feel about that. I certainly wouldn't talk bad about the ministry (the gospel was being shared). I really don't know enough about it to form an opinion.


But that is the impression I get from "cowboy churches". It is people trying to do kingdom work.

I don't know if the goal is to be comfortable, embrace a culture, or reach a people who would otherwise be distanced from church. I hope the latter.

Regardless of my hopes and opinions these are people reaching out with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

Friend who attends a cowboy church (started with 2 families, now average 125 at a service)

"Although Cowboy Church is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas (SBC) and the Texas Fellowship of Cowboy Churches, it functions as an interdenominational fellowship gladly welcoming anyone who has accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, been scripturally baptized by immersion, and accepts the basic teachings of Christianity into its membership."

 

Is it any good? (Don't want to watch a bad movie).

 

I'll check it out.

 

I find most churches do tend to group along "lines". Ethnic lines, economic lines, neighborhood lines, music lines, cultural lines. Humans tend to "group" together.

So, if you like the informality, the music choices, the worship style, the rugged independence, style of a "cowboy", you can fit in with hundreds of like-minded believers. We ALL make choices of who we associate with and fellowship with. Church fellowship is a voluntary choice and, to some level, "comfortable".

 

11 A.M. is the most segregated hour in the week. - you can quote me on that.