Posted on 03/09/2010 12:58:41 PM PST by RGirard
There are more churches and denominations than anyone can keep track of ... So what draws a group of believers together, and keeps them together over time? Fellowship and commonalities.
An excellent example of this cultural phenomena is found in today's Cowboy Churches.
Although it could be argued that nearly every rustic church house founded in the Western states was a "cowboy church" due to the number of real life cowboys in attendance, the Texas Fellowship of Cowboy Churches is a structured organization whose headquarters are located in Waxahachie, TX (pronounced "walks-uh-hatch-ee") whose membership is currently 161 churches strong.
Their beliefs are, in general, Baptist, and the Baptist General Convention of Texas is their partner in the planting of even more Cowboy Churches ...
The church's mission statement includes this bold proclamation: "To resource a movement of God's spirit within the "Western Culture" and to develop Western Heritage Churches through enhanced training, assessment, coaching, communications and connectiveness."
This goal has propelled the church beyond the Texas state line to include churches in New Mexico, Arkansas, and Alabama, thus necessitating a new name, American Fellowship of Cowboy Churches, in order to comfortably include those outside the Lone Star state.
The American Fellowship of Cowboy Churches is actively seeking new church plants in Kansas, Colorado, and the unlikely state of Florida - although that could be where some Cowboys go to retire before they die and go to Texas...
(Excerpt) Read more at examiner.com ...
Christian rodeo cowboys have been around for a long time. I think it’s for the same reason there are no atheists in foxholes!
A lot of people I know attend one (at least I assume so by the fact they all have stickers for it on their car). I just thought it was an excuse to wear jeans and hats on Sunday.
My parents attend one in the summer when they are in CO.
They have one in Tombstone AZ
I have seen three pop up, only to disappear in six months.
My Grandfather helped start and farm and ranch church for all the old guys who didn't like the formal aspect of churchgoing.
The preacher was a guy IIRC named Johnny Watkins. He did the farm and market report on the radio every weekday morning and had a hunting and fishing show on TV.
He was brilliant at everything he did.
There’s a cowboy church in session every year at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. I know a bunch of the volunteers who, when they have to work a Sunday shift, always attend.
Yup. And I’ve been to one.
Pretty nice and very down-home simple.
I know one of their ministers who has liver cancer and could probably use even more prayers, his name is Early Paul.
appreciate your comments and that’s a funny little video in your tag line :-)
Bunch of them around here. Some are in regular churches, some in ranch areas, in metal barns.
As well as one in Canelo; about 5 miles West of Ft. Huachuca.
Unlike most organized religious sites, they don’t appear to be no more two or three clicks away from Soros-sponsored sites advocating for ‘social justice,’ ‘economic justice,’ or various and sundry victims rights causes. Looks like a sincere bunch of people.
There is one over in Sonoita, AZ.
There’s one in King, NC, the small town that everybody went off on over their state of emergency last month:
http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2010/feb/20/ridin-for-jesus-horse-folks-make-up-cowboy-churchs/
You’re welcome!
Cowboy Ten Commandments
1. Just one God.
2. Honor yer Ma & Pa.
3. No telling tales or gossipin’.
4. Git yourself to Sunday meeting.
5. Put nothin’ before God.
6. No foolin’ around with another fellow’s gal.
7. No killin’.
8. Watch yer mouth
9. Don’t take what ain’t yers.
10. Don’t be hankerin’ for yer buddy’s stuff.
Here is one. There are many others
http://www.gatewaycowboychurch.com/
And, Yep there are horses in Heaven
Number 7 should be “No murderin.”
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