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'Cowboy Church' Lassos New Followers

Baptists see success with services that feature rodeo riding

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 9, 2009 3:49 PM CST

(Newser) – Rodeo competitions and baptisms in horse troughs are on offer at the Cowboy Church of Ellis County, Texas, part of a movement that uses an unconventional approach to draw worshippers to the flock, the AP reports. Cowboy churches have existed for 40 years but have grown in popularity in the past decade as Baptist organizations have embraced them, opening dozens in 12 states.

“We use an out-of-the-box method to get people to come, because people have so many walls up with church,” said a leader of services at a Wyoming cowboy church. Baptist leaders credit the low-impact approach of cowboy church for its success: Pastors skip long sermons and don’t push for donations or pass collection plates.

[Images (6)]

[Quotes (1)]

Cowboys listen to a sermon at the Cowboy Church of Ellis County, Dec. 7, 2008, in Waxahachie, Texas. (AP Photo)

The Rev. Jess McCabe, a visiting pastor from Alpine, Texas, holds elk antlers to illustrate a point during his sermon at the Cowboy Church of Ellis County, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008, in Waxahachie, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Chris Maddox, a lay pastor at the Cowboy Church of Ellis County speaks during a service, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008, in Waxahachie, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

The Rev. Jess McCabe, a visiting pastor from Alpine, Texas, delivers his sermon at the Cowboy Church of Ellis County, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008, in Waxahachie, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

A western motif greets visitors to the Cowboy Church of Ellis County, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008, in Waxahachie, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Julie Ward rides her horse Liberty in the rodeo arena at the Cowboy Church of Ellis County, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008, in Waxahachie, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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It appeals to you because it's `come as you are.' You don't feel judged based on how you're dressed, how you talk, how you look. We're not asking somebody to be something they're not.
- Chris Maddox, a regular at the Cowboy Church of Ellis County

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'Cowboy Church' Lassos New Followers