There is a new church in town. It’s a bit different than your grandmaw’s. It’s a Cowboy Church! Instead of suits, ties and winged-tipped shoes, you are likely to see buckles, boots, hats, and jeans. Our method is certainly different but our message is the same ol’ story of Jesus and His love!
The first time I went west, I ended up in Texas, when I got there, I felt I wasn’t going anywhere, and I felt I had nothing left in me. I found myself in a little church, prayin, and askin for the man upstairs to guide me. I knew I was half good, but am I? Or am I mostly bad? Still struggling with the PTSD, I face everyday, I bring myself to my toughest of times, knowing that things are not ever really bad.
The first I ever heard this song was in that lil cowboy church in Texas, it made me feel like I was home, and finally right where I needed to be. I miss that church, and I miss the west. Only wish I’d had made it to Cheyenne.Maybe the good Lord willin, I will make it there someday, but in the meantime, I will continue living somewhere between Jesus,and John Wayne.
The Purpose of a Cowboy Church is to Impact the Cowboy Culture With the Gospel of Jesus, in hopes to keep the cowboy and cowgirl an honest fella. We continue to prey that we are “Somewhere between a cowboy and a saint, while crossing the open range, and always be somewhere between Jesus, and John Wayne.”
The Cowboy’s Ten Commandments are below, and if ya need a better way of livin’ well pick up yer bible, and head to the Cowboy Church. Live by these simple rules, and trust me, you will remember the experience forever.
Cowboy’s Ten Commandments
1. Just One God
2. Honor yer Ma & Pa
3. No Tellin Tales or Gossipin
4. Git Yerself to Sunday Meetin
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
History of Cowboy Church, across America:
Local Christian churches within the cowboy culture are distinctively Western heritage in character. A typical cowboy church might be in a barn, metal building, arena, sale barn, or old western building, have its own rodeo arena, and a country gospel band. Baptisms are generally done in a stock tank, or waterin troth. The sermons are usually short and simple. Some cowboy churches have covered arenas where rodeo events such as bull riding, team roping, ranch sorting, team penning and equestrian events are held on weeknights. Many cowboy churches have existed throughout the western states for the past forty or fifty years, however just in the past fifteen or so years has there been an explosion of growth within the “movement”. Prior to 1980 there were no less than 5 cowboy churches in Texas, now the number exceeds 200, and there are an estimated 750 nationwide. There has been no definitive group that established the movement; rather it seems to have had a spontaneous beginning in diverse areas of the country at nearly the same time. Some of these cowboy churches are an outgrowth of ministries to professional rodeo or team roping events, while the roots of many can be traced back to ministry events associated with ranch rodeos, ranch horse competitions, chuck wagon cooking competitions, cowboy poetry gatherings and other “cowboy culture” events.
So we hope to see ya, here or there, maybe in church, or on the range. No matter where it is, love thy brother, and treat each and everyone with respect. have pride in yourself, and never give up. God Bless Ya, all. Come on back if yer passin through Amen!
Shotgun Bo Rivers 