Aviva Directory » Faith & Spirituality » World Religions » Abrahamic Religions » Christianity » Church Divisions » Protestant » Denominations » New Paradigm » Cowboy Churches

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


Search for Cowboy Churches on Google or Bing