They’re popping up everywhere. Biker Churches. Cowboy Churches. Hippy Churches. Christ is being preached and I rejoice in that. But does every special interest group need to splinter off into their own denomination?
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They’re popping up everywhere. Biker Churches. Cowboy Churches. Hippy Churches. Christ is being preached and I rejoice in that. But does every special interest group need to splinter off into their own denomination?
Re: Special Interest Churches
I’ve sung at a cowboy church before. Next time, I plan to do Gordon Mote’s Mercy Walked In.
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We visited a COG in Tampa once that appeared to be ‘Biker Friendly’ maybe more so. Visited a Cowboy church in Okee, here in FL. Outstanding service, all Christ centered with several out reaches that were thriving. The church was open air, with the feeling of the old camp meeting. I did get a kick out of the baptismal in a horse trough. Maybe some use it as an excuse to leave a denomination when they are not happy there. ________________Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/
Good marketing
Since the Okeechobbe (Cowboy) church was rural I didn’t get the idea it was actually ‘cowboy’ centered, but more country people who could attend in their normal clothes without any intimidation. Maybe this one was unique but I had the feeling if I lived nearby, I might attend. But we only attended two times a year of so apart.We are regular attendants at a few churches that way. ________________Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/
I’m making judgements without having attended a single service at a cowboy or biker church, so I admit I may be wrong. I just assume that these are going to draw mostly white males who listen to southern rock or country music. My heart has always been to minister to every demographic in my community.
I’m making judgements without having attended a single service at a cowboy or biker church, so I admit I may be wrong. I just assume that these are going to draw mostly white males who listen to southern rock or country music. My heart has always been to minister to every demographic in my community. I think you’re right,
This IS an interesting subject. Good post DS ________________Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/
I believe that is a worthy goal. The apostle Paul said he became a servant to all that he might gain the more. (1 Corinthians 9:19-22
I drive an F-150 (4×4) and have a pair of Tony Lama Cowboy boots (with Mexican stacked heels), and I was a pastor in Phoenix, AZ for nine years, but I’m not a cowboy by any means, and I’m guessing most who attend a cowboy church are not either. They are identifying with a culture they do not live, and I would say biker churches are not about real bikers (what, are they 1%ers?), rather they like to dress in the leathers and ride their (very nice) bikes on weekends so they can put a picture of themselves (with their girlfriend or wife) on their Facebook page. So, if you go to a bikers church you must wear leather (and it would be good to own a bike) and if you go to a cowboy church you must wear boots and a cowboy hat (plus a fancy belt buckle and a snap western shirt). I saw a Hawaiian Church on TV once where all the middle class white women had on grass skirts and lias (and the men Hawaiian shirts, shorts and sandals). The praise team did the hula as they led worship. The church was in Southern California, but I did not see one Hawaiian on stage or in the congregation.These cultural dress up churches are little different than the robes, smells and bells of the high churches or the skinny jeans and T-shirts of the causal churches. I know, to each his own, but if you go to a dress-up cultural church if would be best not to condemn those old time Holiness folks, whose women did not cut their hair or wear pants, and those men wore their Sunday Suit and tie. The person dressed as a cowboy, or as a biker, or as an Hawaiian, is by dress (and by what they drive) no more spiritual than the old-time holiness folks or the robe wearing priest as he chants the liturgy. Mat
There are a couple of cowboy churches in our area. My husband has been to both of them; I’ve been to one of them. The one I went to was casual and there were lots of folks in just ordinary clothes like the jeans and T-shirts they would wear anytime. It didn’t come across as particularly pretentious to me. Bonnie,I sure there are good folks who do not adopt the western or biker (or other) wear who attend these churches. However, I’m suggesting there is an equivalency in respect to the cultural garments (and identity) of the leadership of those churches who wear robes, or who where holiness attire. I’m thinking about a football church with tailgating in the parking lot be for service. The praise team could be cheerleaders and we could all wear our church (team) colors. Everybody must stand for the national anthem and knee for prayer (do not get them confused). The gift shop could sell offical church shirts and gear, along with autographed Bibles (the pastor’s that is).
So is cowboy church good or bad thing?If it is good, why do all the old folks get chastised into having to like Hillsong songs and lights turned out for the worship service – so the young people will come?Why don’t we all get to have our niche?All we had to do was call ourselves Cowboys and we wouldn’t have had to change________________