Cowboy churches are not a denomination, but they form a distinct grouping of mostly evangelical churches that have a Western character.
Not surprisingly, Cowboy churches are more commonly found in the Western US states, although they can be found in the Southern states and elsewhere, as well.
Many of the Cowboy churches are nondenominational, but others are denominational attempts to present their theology in a new setting. Both the Southern Baptist Convention and the Baptist General Convention of Texas have started Cowboy churches. In addition, many of these churches are associated with the American Fellowship of Cowboy Churches, the Cowboy Church Network of North America, the International Cowboy Church Alliance Network, the Nebraska Cowboy Church Association, the Wilderness Association of Cowboy Churches, or others. Associations of Christian cowboys include the Fellowship of Christian Cowboys and Cowboys for Christ.
Some Cowboy churches came about through Christian ministries at rodeo events, while others have their roots in ministries associated with ranch rodeos, cowboy poetry gatherings, chuck wagon cooking competitions, or other cowboy cultural events.
Although there have been Cowboy churches in the Western states for about fifty years, there has been a renewed interest in them in the past couple of decades. The modern Cowboy church concent was created by Glenn Smith in the early 1970s and can be found in his book, entitled Apostle Cowboy Style, which he published in 1988.
Cowboy churches often meet in barns or other rural facilities, such as arenas or sale barns. Some have their own rodeo arena, where standard rodeo events are held on weeknights. Baptisms are often performed in stock tanks.
Although, as noted, some Cowboy churches are associated with specific denominations, the traditional Cowboy church is nondenominational, and most activities of the church are performed by volunteers. Sermons are usually brief and simple, and traditions that are without clear biblical basis are generally omitted, such as altar calls, dress codes, and collection plates. Offerings are placed in a hat, a boot, or a box near the entrance of the meeting place without anyone calling attention to it.
People attending Cowboy churches dress as they please, including cowboy hats, boots, and Western apparel, and worship music is often performed by a country gospel or country and Western band.
Theologically, Cowboy churches tend to be conservative and evangelical, touching on the basics of the Christian faith rather than on denominational distinctives.
Cowboy ministries may also hold services at rodeos and other Western events, as well as rodeo schools, clinics, or camps.
The focus of this category is on churches that might be classified under the Cowboy church model. Cowboy church associations or fellowships may be submitted to this category. Sites representing individual Cowboy churches will be considered for inclusion in this category if they include substantial information about the Cowboy church model, but should otherwise be submitted to the appropriate Local & Global category representing the geographical location of the church.
 
 
Recommended Resources
American Fellowship of Cowboy Churches
Headquartered in Waxahachie, Texas, the AFCC is a non-profit Christian organization of Cowboy churches, developed for the purpose of facilitating communication, training, mentoring, and sponsorship. General information about the church is presented, and leadership and staff contacts are posted to the site, along with a calendar of events, ministries, and member churches. Partnering organizations are acknowledged.
https://americanfcc.org/
The non-denominational and inter-denominational ministry has an outreach at rodeos, ropings, barrel races, bull ridings, Cowboy churches, and other places, as well as holding weekly Cowboy church meetings. An introduction to the organization is set forth, along with schedules and video messages and informational articles. A Cowboy Bible and books relating to Cowboy churches and ministries are available for purchase online.
https://www.christiancowboy.org/
Originally known as Cornerstone Christian Ministries, the New Iberia, Louisiana church became a Cowboy church in 2009, affiliated with the American Fellowship of Cowboy Churches. Its history, organizational structure, and a general definition of a Cowboy church are presented. Directions to the church are given, and a schedule of family worship services, children’s church, and adult Bible classes are included.
http://www.cornerstonecowboychurch.com/
CCM is a ministry to cowboys, aimed at serving them in their environment, the organization also trains people to become leaders through discipleship. Locations and times are posted to the site, as well as contacts, and services may be viewed live online. Several teaching articles are published in text form, and both audio and video teachings may be downloaded or viewed online, and announcements are posted to the site.
https://cowboychurchministries.org/
Cowboy Church Network of North America
The CCN of North America is a cooperating association of Cowboy churches and ministries that work to plant and to strengthen Cowboy churches in North America. Member churches can be found on an interactive map or by searching a radius of from ten to five hundred miles from a specific location. Church events are noted, along with the Network’s disaster relief fund and other projects, photographs, and support information.
http://cowboycn.net/
Cowboy Church is a thirty-minute program produced by Jim Odle, the former owner, and manager of Superior Livestock Auction and the creator of The American Rancher on RFD-TV. The weekly show is co-hosted by gospel singer Susie McEntire, the younger sister of Reba McEntire, and Russ Weaver, former PRCA calf roper and pastor of Shepherd’s Valley Cowboy Church. Schedules, podcasts, video, and photos are posted, and DVDs may be ordered.
http://www.cowboychurch.tv/
The specialized web directory is focused on Cowboy churches and ministries. Submissions to the directory may be made for free, which may include the ministry name, address, phone number, web address, contacts, and a description. Listing upgrades are also available for a fee, which may include photos, bold text, and other amenities. Various advertising options are also available. Listed resources are sorted by state and listed alphabetically. Cowboy church videos are also featured.
http://www.cowboychurch.net/
CFC was founded in 1970 to reach out to the livestock industry worldwide, although anyone is welcome to its services and events. Evangelical and mission minded, the CFC works with local churches to fill the kingdom of God. A profile of the organization is presented, including its purpose and mission, a statement of its position, and a directory of chapters. Its rule book is set forth, and Bible study information is included.
https://www.cowboysforchrist.org/
Fellowship of Christian Cowboys
Founded in 1973, the FCC is a non-profit, inter-denominational ministry of cowboys and those who identify with the cowboy culture who share a desire to spread the message of Jesus Christ to cowboys and others who enjoy the Western lifestyle. Membership and support information is set forth, along with a calendar of events, devotionals, and a list of ministry partners. An online store offers books and other publications, apparel, and gift items.
http://christiancowboys.com/
The Dade City, Florida church has, as its goal, to reach out to the lost and hurting in Florida small towns and rural communities, offering a Western atmosphere. Directions, service schedules, administrative contacts, and a calendar of events are posted to the site, along with a statement of its foundational beliefs, an overview of Cowboy Church ministries, and a photo gallery features horses. Announcements are posted to the site.
http://www.freedom-ranch.com/
International Cowboy Church Alliance Network
ICCAN is a non-denominational convention of churches, offering ministerial credentials to pastors, evangelists, youth pastors, missionaries, Christian counselors, and chaplains, as well as the preparation of church organizational documents, bylaws, state incorporation, and tax-exempt status. Its leadership structure, member benefits, and testimonies are published to the site A calendar of events is included.
https://www.iccantrail.com/
Nebraska Cowboy Church Association
Headquartered in Grand Island, Nebraska, the association of Cowboy churches are involved in developing ministries and planting churches in rural communities, leading events and small groups, and assisting member churches. An overview of the organization and the benefits of membership are outlined, along with a calendar of events, a statement of faith, downloadable flyers, and other materials.
http://www.necowboychurch.com/
Oklahoma Fellowship of Cowboy Churches
Made up of working cowboys, professional cowboys, rodeo cowboys, ranchers, farmers, and people who enjoy the Western lifestyle, member churches generally meet in barns, arenas, sale yards, or under shade trees, and invite people to come as they are. Affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma and Southern Baptists, its member policies, a list of member churches, and administrative contacts are posted.
http://www.ofccranch.com/
Affiliated with Faith Fellowship Christian International, the Zolfo Springs, Florida church offers Cowboy Church services on Sundays. A promotional video and a statement of beliefs are posted to the site. Other activities hosted by Reality Ranch Ministries include a rodeo and other rodeo and equestrian events, such as barrel racing, bull riding, and others, as well as training programs, therapeutic riding, and others.
http://www.realityranchministries.org/
Based in Monroe, Louisiana, RPBI is geared toward pastors who want to meet the basic requirements of ministering in a local cowboy church, offering the Basic Bible Diploma, which is an external, one-year program. A statement of beliefs, an overview of the program, tuition and fees, grading plan, and an online application are set forth. Address information, contacts, and announcements are posted to the site.
http://www.roundpenbibleinstitute.org/
Formed in 2011, the non-profit working ranch is devoted to teaching Christianity through the legacy, artistry, and traditions of the working ranch cowboy. Featured is a promotional video, a mission statement, statement of beliefs, and location. Headquartered in Kiowa, Colorado, the ministry sponsors other Cowboy Churches in the United States and Canada. Services may be viewed online, either live or in its archive, and sponsored churches are listed.
http://www.savethecowboy.org/
Shepherd’s Valley Cowboy Church
Located in Alvarado, Texas, the congregation tends to dress casually, wearing whatever is comfortable. An overview of what to expect when attending a service is put forth, along with an overview of its programs, educational opportunities, and worship. Directions, administrative contacts, service schedules, and a calendar of events are published to the site, and its rodeo arena and events schedules are included.
http://shepherdsvalley.com/
Situated in Ham Lake, Minnesota, the congregation meets on Sunday mornings. Directions and a map are set forth, along with administrative contacts, a statement of beliefs and core values, its mission and vision, board, staff, and ministry leaders. Sermons may be view live online, with archives of past sermons available. Job opportunities are posted to the site, and contributions may be made online.
http://cowboychurch.org/
The Cowboy Church of Ellis Cowboy
Located in Waxahachie, Texas, the church meets on Sunday mornings and on Monday nights, with youth programs on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights, with Bible studies meeting at various times and places throughout the week. General information about the church, along with a calendar of events, announcements, and a map showing the location of the church. Contributions may be made online.
https://www.cowboyfaith.org/