Churches are closing, sure. But new Christian churches are popping up. And they’re not your typical traditional churches.

The new churches? They combine rodeos (yes, like bull-riding) with church.  The so-called “cowboy church” is a 40-year-old concept but has become increasingly more popular among Baptists. Its unusual nature is now garnering national attention.

The Southern Baptist Convention has started dozens of churches in 12 states. And the Baptist General Convention of Texas has started 140 rodeo churches in the last 8 years.

So what do you do at cowboy church? It’s probably what you’re imagining.  People show up in jeans with cowboy hats, they meet on rodeo grounds (sometimes after an actual rodeo is held or as part of a rodeo event), and baptisms often take place in horse troughs (ok, you may not have expected that one). 

Is the cowboy church a trend or the future of the Church? We’ll see, y’all.

Copyright 2009, Religion Transcends. 

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