Why People Don't Go To Church Anymore

In 1995 I remember telling my Mom, "in 5 years we may not recognize the face of the church." My Mom has been the organist at Swannanoa First Baptist Church for over 50 years. I grew up in this church and when we moved back to Asheville in 2007 I asked this church to be my church planting sponsor, a request that they responded to with less than positive enthusiasm. Swannanoa First Baptist still only has a piano and organ for praise music. Over the past few years they added a flute, tuba, trombone and called that a praise band.

In the Swannanoa community there are over a dozen churches of varying denominations and size. In 2011 a local mega church, Biltmore Baptist, decided to come to Swannanoa and plant a church in an elite private school. Biltmore sent over about 150 of it's own members and the local church saw their own memberships decline as young couples left the smaller churches for a more "high tech" worship experience. Whether I agree with what Biltmore Baptist did isn't relative, it's just the way of the corporate church. It's kind of like Target building next to Wal-Mart.

Since moving to Asheville and planting a church, my hopes and expectations have been shattered by what we've seen in the churches in this area. From people being down right mean to church leaders trying to intimidate us and bully me. Some of these were people I was looking too for mentoring and guidance. Granted I pushed back a few times against some of these church leaders and that may not have been the best course of action but what I saw was not what I had expected and certainly not what is taught in "church planting" classes. (Just ask any church planter that doesn't have a mega church backing them)

My point being, if I have experienced this as a church leader what do you think many families that attend church over the years are experiencing?

What needs to happen in America for the church to become a relevant and effective force in our families and communities again? That's a harsh question. Many pastors will say "these people just need to be in church on Sunday." A statement like that sounds good but why would a family want to come to a church where they are constantly on the outside and not included. That kind of thinking comes from a church attitude of  "everyone is welcome" displayed on the church marquee by the side of the road. Churches may say it but they don't practice it. Or better yet they are simply not equipped for it.

Most traditional churches aren't ready for "everyone" who may come through the doors today. I can say it because we have experienced discrimination and elitist attitudes from church leaders first hand. The church leaders think they are protecting there way of life somehow. But in reality they are tightening the noose around the life of that church. I have visited many churches that are struggling for members and when you talk to the pastors of those churches you hear a desperation in their tone about how to reach the community with a church body that doesn't want integrate with their neighbors. They want it like it was in 1975. Most people have figured out that the uber-healing and wealth based faith message is not what Christ intended his church to look like.

Church life is less and less about serving a community and more and more about serving it's own interest. Just try to get three church pastors together at the same time. Our daughter works as a server at a local restaurant and she is a committed Christ follower and has been involved in ministry all of her life. One day a couple left a postcard for their church on a table she was serving. The only problem with that was the couple didn't interact with her other than to order their food. The only thing this couple knew was to leave an anonymous postcard as an invitation to their church. Why would she or anyone else want to drive across town to a traditional church (based on the black and white picture on the postcard) 20 miles away from just the message on a black and white postcard?

Recently I had a social media conversation with a church planting pastor and he informed me that his church was for only those who believe in Christ. I couldn't help but imagine the loneliness and emptiness of such a church. That was a clear example of the divide between the church organization and the people of the community around it.

Organizations are starting churches on the internet, warehouses, podcast and social media. The church needs to be the community and reaching their neighbors with the love of Christ, which is available to everyone. It's one thing to talk about it and another to live it and show it. Those of us that know it need to learn how to share it. Christ built relationships to the people He walked with. We Christians need to build relationships with people in our communities. That's where Christ is.

What will church look like in 2014?

What Does Christ Look Like?

Cowboys in Asheville

What does Christ look like? A fitting title for a documentary movie series. Many artists have depicted Christ in paintings. Others have carved his likeness into statues that sit in cathedrals and viewed by travelers needing inspiration. Recently a television series gave us a look at Christ from a directors perspective. Many movies have cast actors to play the role of Christ and as many have given a different personality to the role. And still people seek to know, what does Christ look like?

I've been in full time ministry service since 1999. Not by a church commission or denomination ordination, but of the calling God put on my life. In 2005 I was ordained as a minister. Each of my callings is taken with great regard to my ministry. Sitting a pew waiting for something to happen or to get involved with a church committee has never been my calling nor my desire. Many years ago I felt God did not need me in a church building to do His work. So that calling turned into a ministry. Over the years I have seen why he has done this. The organization that calls itself the church is flawed and many times misguided in the pursuit of its function. Yes, great men have preached sermons that moved people to change their lives and live for Christ. This is the church Christ intended. To make disciples, teach Gods love through Christ grace and duplicate it through other people. Yet we have made God into an industry. A copyright forging of facilities, books, teachings and music. All in the inspirational name of God who we claim it all came from. Yet we collect the profits and royalties of our officially licensed merchandise. What does Christ look like?

That's getting a little too deep but do you get the picture? Christ told the disciple's in Mark 16:15 to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation." Immediately the disciples rushed out, created a business plan, formed an LLC, compiled an outline for a teaching series, hired an agent and a management firm, wrote a book and struck a publishing deal for the rights to the material. If we feel called to ministry that's what we do. Some more better at it than others. No, they struck out then and there spreading the news that Christ lives and changes lives. Even at the cost of their own lives. Peter didn't rush out and finish his MBA or go get his MDIV. They started at the point they were at and went from there.

"What does Christ look like?" You may answer he looked like a young man of Jewish decent. Biologically you would not be wrong. That's not the question I'm asking. The question I am asking is for today, 2013. If we, the body of Christ, are called to do His work it is my belief that Christ looks like you and me. Let's not confuse this with a "Jesus complex" I don't have special powers nor do I claim to be a savior of anything. Christ lives in me and because of this I want to go tell other people about Christ and His message of grace. It's His power not mine. Over the years my ministry has been concerts, cowboy events, rodeos and horse shows. This year our ministry has been NASCAR at a local track in Tennessee and rodeos.

This week I had the opportunity to meet Tim and Lynn Tuggle who are riding horseback across America sharing Jesus with everyone they meet and asking people to pray for our military and our country. Their ministry is called Disciples of Jesus Horsemen. That is what Christ looks like. To the men, women and children they have met Tim and Lynn are representing Christ. It's not always comfortable or easy. It's what Christ told us to do, "Go and tell the world the Good News of Jesus Christ!"

Let's wrap this up. Is the picture getting clearer? What does Christ look like? Once you ask Christ into your own life Christ is you. The kind word, a helping hand, going out of your way to help someone when you are too busy with your own schedule and you do it anyway. When Christ is the center of your life all of these tasks become a mission. The love, forgiveness and grace that Christ gave to us by dying on the cross for our sins now resides in you and me because we ask Him to take up first place in our lives. Christ will take you right where you are and makes you into the kind of person He wants you to be.

Today why don't you ask Christ to live in your heart. Say this prayer, Dear Lord Jesus I am a sinner, I ask you to forgive my sins. Jesus you died for my sins and rose from the dead. Make me into the kind of person you want me to be. I give my life over to you as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

This is what Christ looks like.

I Didn't Do It

As we travel around I always enjoy finding out where people are from. Today our communities are filled with families from "somewhere else". The Local or the Transplant. These differences can be a source of contention based on your view. Families who have raised their children in the same location for generations may look with doubt at people that move into their neighborhood, considering them outsiders. On the other-hand a family moving into a new town may view the locals as backwards and unmotivated to change or experience different cultures. In either case both views are distorted and without merit. Brad Paisley newest album titled Wheelhouse has a new song called Southern Comfort Zone; in my opinion I think this should be the anthem of every church. One of my favorite lines from the song is; “…I can see the ways that I’ve grown, I can’t see this world unless I go, outside my Southern Comfort Zone.”

These are challenging economic times and many families have to do whatever it takes to make it and pay their bills. Do you ever feel uncertain about people you know at work or associate with because of their position, lifestyle or religion? We put up our guard when we don’t understand something or if someone is much different from what we know as “normal”. Family can be difficult to deal with at times but they are “family” and you love them anyway.

Gods love for us goes beyond race, gender, family ties and even personalities. Recently I was listening to a speaker talk about the book of Jude in the New Testament. The writer of the book of Jude begins by saying, “I wanted to express my excitement on our common faith and salvation”, but instead he changes gears and goes on to say, “I must challenge you to fight for the faith that gives us eternal life.” That’s my take on it. One thing is for sure we are all unique people with different personalities and attitudes. Near the end of Jude our writer encourages the people of to stand in the faith of Christ, don’t get caught up in the distractions of the world, show this kindness even to people who doubt Gods word.

We are all sinners. The one thing that will separate us from God is our own stubbornness. The God that made the heavens, the earth, you and me, isn’t just for those who go to church on Sunday; sometimes they are the ones who mess things up. He wants the best for you. God loves each and every one of us and wants you and me to have a relationship with Him. Gods’ son, Jesus Christ, came to bridge the gap between a holy God and us here on earth.

Have you ever been blamed for something you didn’t do? You will do everything it takes to prove your innocence. With Christ at the center of our lives we stand blameless in Gods sight. That relationship simply requires that we take our agenda and replace it with Gods plan for our life. We can’t get to God any other way, being a nice guy won’t do it, not by helping other people; or trying to save the planet, none of those good deeds will get us any closer to heaven. Simply believe Jesus Christ is Gods son. Ask Christ into your life right now by admitting you are a sinner, next ask Christ to take up first place in your life and let him lead your desires and motives.

 I know it ain’t easy to change but if you will get around other men and women like you that love God, they can encourage you in a way that makes sense and in a way you can understand. You will begin to see your life in a whole new light. God wants to know you, just as you are, invite Him in, you will enjoy the company.

Holiday Christmas-alation

With everyone getting so twisted about the Christmas - Holiday debate, it's time I offer a brief insight into the mind of the"Cowhunter".

 With so many evil events going on in our country lets put aside all the verbal wrangling and political posturing; instead let's become neighbors sharing joy and a season that represents giving and the gift of hope. A season that represents the best in man-kind....

Tiz the season, ...no? I am so tired of hearing about one group stomping on Christmas and wholesome family values and traditions or another group shouting, "it's a Christmas tree!" or "say MERRY CHRISTMAS!" The latest thing I heard was employees boycotting an office party event because they don't celebrate Christmas. No alchohol just food, sodas and sweet tea. Association is not affirmation. You're not compromising your values or condoning a belief by being freindly or lending your attendance to a gathering at the very place where you work and mingle with other people. In fact it's the exact opposite if we believe in values and our fellow-man then grab a plate, sit next to a friend and talk about your children or your family.

With all the turmoil going on in our world today why wouldn't you want to take time out of your day, sit with your co-workers or next door neighbor for that matter, and enjoy some good food and even a couple of free hours on the company clock.

We see the tradegy brought on by a life filled seperation and division. Let's not duplicate that pattern by isolating ourselves when we should be encouraging one another; if just by our presence and participation.

Put a smile on your face and great one another as humans should with character and goodwill. Let that be a gift you freely give to someone that passes you in the mall or in line at the store. Just as the gift of Christ was given freely to every person on earth. So, Happy Holidays, Merrry Christmas, Happy Hanukka, A Joyous Season, Feliz Navidad and anything else that may be appropriate, you know what I mean.

That's my Tip of the Hat for today.

Sunrise

Take a moment to look out the window. What do you see? Maybe it's early morning and the sky is starting to light up as the sun rises above the horizon. It could be snowing or raining where you are. Many suggest that the weather has an affect on our over all mood.

Recently I hiked up a 3 mile trail during a snow storm casued by the effects of Hurricane Sandy. The incline was steep and slick as I hiked up 1700 feet to the 3800 summit. When I started the sky was blue with few clouds and a steady snow was falling. As I reached the summit the weather had changed drastically. Clouds rolled in, the wind began to howl and the temperature dropped. At the summit there is an overlook that on a clear day you can see the mountains and over into Asheville. But today it resembled a winter blizzard with a wet snow falling and the wind gusting. I couldn't see 10 feet infront of me. Rime ice formed on tree limbs and began to freeze sideways. It was a surreal scene.

Earlier I had been running some errands and as I passed by the Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove, I noticed the rime ice on the ridge above the Cove. So I made the decision to climb the 3 mile accent and get some pictures. I got to the house and began to change clothes. A friend of mine who works for the Buncombe County Rescue Squad has always said "cotton kills", meaning if you get wet cotton is not the fabric to be wearing in a  freezing, wet-snowy environment. Since this hike would probably take a few hours I wanted to be prepared.

With that in mind I put on a layer of under armour and a layer of hiking pants, wool socks, Ariat Terrains then a shirt, vest and top coat finally my beaver cowboy hat and glasses. I was ready. Loaded my day pack with water, snacks and camera. Once I got going on the trail it was obvious that this was going to be a challenge for me. The trail was deep with snow and slick. There was a layer of fallen leaves on top of the road and a couple of inches of snow on top of that not to mention a 7 to 10 percent grade all the way to the top. As I continued up the trail my legs began to burn yet I wasn't going to stop. I'm about 30 pounds shy of my ideal weight. The summit was my goal and a 6 mile round trip hike to complete before it gets dark.

So what's the point to all this? At the top of the summit the wind gusts were buffeting me and the icy snow bit at my face. It was intense, all the layers I had put on earlier paid off. A little prior planning and good advice from a trusted friend paid of in dividends despite my physical condition. I took some time to hear Gods voice in all this caious.

On top of the Summit this is what came to mind: 2 Peter 1:18 And we heard this voice when it came from heaven while we were with Him on the holy mountain.

As I came back down the weather began to break. At the mile and a half marker the snow had melted and there was no real sign of the winter storm that had been there just a couple of hours earlier. The fall leaves covered the ground where a couple of inches of snow had been. Yet on the summit above me the wind and snow still continued.

There are many storms we will experience in our lives yet one thing remains true God is amoung it all, the tempest and the calm. Jesus spoke to the wind and waves and the men accompaining him in the boat were amazed at the authority with which Christ had over the elements on that stormy evening. Jesus has the ability to calm the storms we experience. But in order for Him to work in our life we must prepare. In the same I had to make decisions about what to wear and what to carry on the trail in order to stay healthy for the entire hike.

You can prepare your life right now. Ask Jesus to come into your life right now, ask Him to forgive you of your sins and commit your life at this moment to make Christ first in your life. Next tell a trusted friend that goes to church or talk to a pastor and tell them of your decision today, don't put it off. You can even email us here at Cowboy Church and we will send you information that will help you in your walk with Christ. Begin to read the Bible, Gods word, it will tell you how to live a life full of victory and strength for your everyday life.

Knowing how to hike a trail is very different from actually going out and putting your feet to the path. God has a plan for your life. It's up to you to take the first step. Being prepared will help give you the knowledge and ability to weather what ever comes your way.

Who's Your Ruler (measuring up)

Revelation 21:16
The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal.

The last four weeks our GPS bible study has had an interesting time learning how we measure our relationship with God. It’s not with a yard stick or tape measure that we mark with, rather it is with our deep relationship that we gauge our progress.

A man or woman takes up about 2 square feet of individual space, if you like to dance (our son enjoys spinning) then you take up around 7 square feet, if I’m dancing it would be two left feet.

The town I live in is about 6 square miles; Buncombe County measures 656 square miles, the 23 counties that make up Western North Carolina encompass 11,000 square miles. The State of North Carolina approximately 53,000 square miles, the United States from coast to coast including Hawaii and Alaska 3.79 million square miles and the planet Earth including water spans a mind altering 198 million square miles. So let’s put that into perspective to the city John describes here in Revelation. A mathematician estimated the size of the Johns description at 3 billion square miles. Oh, by the way, a Reed, the instrument that was given to measure with, was about 11 feet long.

What it comes down to is this, Who’s Your Ruler?

Philippians 2:6-7 Jesus, although he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, made himself a servant; he was born in the likeness of men.

We live in a town where the railroad tracks divide many communities and some places are considered “the other side of the tracks” yet in heaven there are no right or wrong side of the tracks, no subdivisions, political parties, neighborhoods good or bad. Too often we try to measure our way into heaven by the deeds we perform.

Our position in the community or a title at the end of our name, even the people we associate with gives us a feeling of satisfaction and stature in our businesses, communities and even churches. We demand equality in our relationships and in the way we are treated. Yet God uses none of these forms of measurement to determine our eternal reward. Only one act measures up to Gods expectations and that is accepting His son Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. It’s measured with the blood Christ shed on the cross for our sins.

The dimensions John gives us in Revelations may be a challenge to wrap your mind around. Allow me to put it this way, the New City John describes would hold 15 planet Earths within its’ walls. Still don’t get it, I will put it like this; There’s room for you!

The Apostle Paul says in Ephesians 3:16-19 “to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the full measure of all the fullness of God”.

Have you ever loved something so much that you would go to any length to be close to it? God wants to know you, every part of you. You can make a difference, Christ working through you, in the world around you, one person, 2 square feet at a time.

Flight Lesson

2Corinthians 11:15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

While flying at high speed fighter pilots are taught how to keep their perspective while flying extreme maneuvers. It’s easy for a pilot to become disoriented while making loops or rolling his jet during high speeds. You can get so caught up in the moment you forget where you are and the power you have in your hands. In each situation you have to know where you are as well as the equipment.

Many years ago a friend of mine took me up in a vintage 1941 Stearman Bi-Plane. I loved to fly so he invited me to go with him one day. We took off from historic College Park Airport in Maryland. As we began our flight, climbing higher and higher, he asked me a question, “Do you like rollercoaster’s?” Yes, I said. Wrong answer. He throttled forward, banked the plane to the left then right, dove towards the ground and pulled straight back on the stick and all I saw was blue sky. As we climbed the engine struggled and I watched the propeller stop spinning. I felt the control stick jam into my left thigh and we rolled over and began a barrel roll toward the earth. All I remember thinking was, ground, sky, ground, sky as we tumbled for what seemed a lifetime. My friend regained control and as we leveled out he pulled back on the stick again and we made a complete loop. As we reached the top of the loop, upside down, I flung my head back against the head rest to see the ground below me. “Breath!” he shouted over the headset. My weight pressed me against the seatbelts, as we came around the loop I felt weightless, then as we approached the bottom of the loop I was pressed down into my seat. My head was spinning but by now I was screaming like I was on a carnival ride. What a rush! I’ll never forget it.

My friend was a trained pilot and instructor he knew what he was doing. This wasn’t his first time. I wouldn’t not have gone on that flight with just anyone, I trusted him. The same is true on our walk with Christ. We must be aware of who it is we are taught by as we learn and become Christ followers. There are some popular teachings that sound religious and they include things about “God” but they are far from the truth. Worship God, His son Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of our sins that comes through the blood Christ shed on the cross. That’s it. It’s not a diet, you don’t have to go through anyone else to get it, it’s not church activities, or a special cause that gets you closer to God. It’s Jesus Christ only.

How do we prepare ourselves for this journey? The Bible has the words we are to apply to our lives daily. Getting involved with a group of Christ following believers is paramount to your success as you live and work in the world around you. Find a church that teaches from Gods word and learn how it applies to your life, each and every day. It’s a weekly relationship you can’t do without. When you learn how to apply Gods word to your life it will begin to provide the meaning and substance God created you for. Ask Christ into your life today by asking Him to forgive you of your sins and allow Christ first in your life. Ask Jesus to make you into the kind of person He wants you to be. You will learn this by associating with other Christ followers and learning Gods word from the Bible. It’s a lesson that will help you pilot life’s journey.

Everyone's A Stage

Recently I was sitting in the chair at the barbershop getting my hair cut. My barber is never short on stories to tell. I’m usually there first thing in the morning to get a haircut so the stories are fresh for that day. Some mornings I don’t feel like talking and will just sit quietly in the chair while he snips and trims my hair and I’m out the door without much conversation. During my most recent visit he told me something that was so profound it bears repeating.

This particular morning I was sitting in the barber chair retelling a story about a local group of churches that had put out a call for help for an event they wanted to put on and then refused help when I had offered services from our ministry. My barber put in the proper light. “Have you ever heard of the Opera ministry”, he said. “No”, I replied. “Well, he continued, it’s all about Me, Me, Me, Me!”

Hebrews 13:15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. ESV

Now I don’t think that most ministries are selfish or self-centered rather they are not always equipped to know how to work with others that have resources to help. Churches just don’t naturally work together. Guarding against pride and selfishness is something I have to work on daily in my own life and ministry operations. Ministry leaders will tell you that you must be focused on your objectives and not let anything or anyone distract you from your calling. For example many times someone has said to me, “This is the way we do it at our church”, or “nobody around here will like that”. Even better yet I’ve heard it said ‘church is not a performance’, usually in reference to various styles of praise and worship music or even preaching styles. You right, church is no place for a performance, and it’s a place for worship, yours’ and mine. Many times the music at a Christian concert has moved me to go beyond just watching and listening to worshiping and at times music in a traditional church has lulled me into a sleepy comma as the organist tries to keep up with the pianist and the congregation is a measure ahead of the choir director and everyone’s face is down inside the hymnal muffled by the pages. It’s not about music or message rather worship.

Matthew 15:8 "'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; ESV

Recently as I was writing this, a local church asked me to sing for their Sunday morning worship. The church, two months prior, had lost its pastor and youth minister at the same time, basically pressuring them out because of their efforts to create a more contemporary format. They also informed me they don’t do the “Praise and Worship thing”. As I began to sing on Sunday morning, by the way, I was leading everyone in traditional hymns and asking them to sing along, we had the words on the screen but it was all traditional music. I noticed four people walk out. On Monday one of the deacons and his wife called me and told me in a most hateful manner, I quote “did you see those people leave? Well they left because of you!” Wow, thinking to myself. People refused to worship in song so they walked out and they blamed me. They were not there to worship me rather they were there to worship the Living God and couldn’t even do that. I couldn’t believe my ears; it became clear why the staff was gone.

I was standing on the football field at Dolphin Stadium in Miami during the Half Time Show of Super Bowl 41, I watched Prince perform to a sold out crowd in the pouring rain. As he began to sing one of his most popular ballads, Purple Rain, seventy-five thousand screaming fans rose to their feet waiving purple glow sticks and singing at the top of their lungs. Standing there on that field, in that moment gave me chill bumps down to my toes; I can still see it and hear it in my mind. Even people that didn’t like Princes music were on their feet swaying to the music, it was a moment you’d never forget.

Why then can’t we worship our Creator and Savior with the same fever? God made you his instrument, so you stand on the stage of His worship and raise your hands, sing your song, lift your eyes to the Maker of the Universe. You will never be without an audience; He is watching and all of creation applauding your worship.
Ephesians 4:12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

Church One Day

by 6ene Blankenship, Jr

I went to church this Sunday
to sing, pray, worship and praise
At the end of the service a comittee broke out
They said when you come back again
Ask the Lord before you come in
If you should sing and sway whats that all about
Come back next week if it's church you seek
So off I went considering my song
Lord fill my heart make me strong
Next Sunday I went to church
To sing and pray this time to worship
Again I was told now listen here
Your worship was loud the music with a beat
Search your heart during the week
Is God in worship with that sort tone
Again I pondered how do I worship Christ, Gods Son
This Sunday I was met at the door
Did you pray they ask, did you do as we wish
My answer was short something like this
Yes I prayed much time on my knees I spent
Asking the Lord about this church I went
To sing and worship, praise and pray
The Lord answered me in this way
Go ahead sing and pray it's from your heart this music with a beat
Get off the pew, raise you hands, stand to your feet
As for the church you ask I wouldn't know
Their faces drawn their voices low
The comittee formed the people met
But worship Me they haven't yet

You Can't Ride That Horse

One day while my daughter, Devin, was at the ranch where she took horse-back riding lessons one of her friends had come along to watch. Her lessons usually lasted about an hour or more. As the lesson progressed Devin stopped by where we were all sitting to rest Flash, her horse. Flash is a small horse, not a pony, but a bit less than the average horse. Make no mistake his size is in no way relavent to his heart. He is a jumper and will go over anything you set infront of him. My daughters instructor was even heasitant about letting Devin on him when she first started. So while Devin was standing there with Flash in hand her freind said, when do I get to ride? The way she said it was almost demanding, so what Devin said next really put things in perspective. " You can't ride this horse", Devin replied without hesitation. Her friend made some kind of reply that showed she really didn't know what she was about to get into. Flash was not a trail riding horse, he was fine tuned, easy going, but you could get into trouble if you didn't understand how to ride him. Devin had spent many hours learning how to ride, the parts of a saddle, how to care for a horse, grooming and mucking stalls before she ever stepping into the saddle. And even then she learned on a "lesson" style horse the kind of horse you could put a two year old child on and walk around the arena with. So Devins' reply wasn't to be selfish rather she was being practical even the instructor invited her friend to come back next week and start on a program but this isn't a horse you just hop on and ride.

I tell you this story because lately a few things have come to my attention that I thought need s'plaining. In ministry, many times I come across people that feel called to use their talents for Gods work. That usually comes after a moment of personal inventory and guidance by a pastor or church leader. Starting a ministry is only one part of your walk with Christ and should not be taken lightly. In your ministry also comes a responsibility to maintain that relationship with God. That relationship is developed through worship with others. If you occasionally go to church or not at all how will your relationship with Christ deepen and how will you see Him at work if you go slip back into the worlds way of doing things. It won't work.

Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer.

A ministry requires being ministered to. You can't bring others to Christ if you don't know how yourself. The bible warns teachers to take inventory of what they are about to do and don't enter into it lightly. You may have heard the saying if you run with dogs you'll get fleas. James 1:3 says it like this "You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors."

We must all take inventory of where we are in our walk with Christ. If your ministry is without Christ and leadership at it's center you may just have a hobby. You must take inventory of your heart, is it full of anger, bitterness and resentment? Is Christ really at your core, is it all about Him or all about you? Only you can answer these questions. In my opinion you're kidding yourself if you are in a ministry without accountablility.

"But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience." Luke 8:15

I've lost my cool before and made mistakes in my ministry, yet at every turn and decision Christ is at the core of everyting I do.

Are you prepared for the ride? Is this a horse you can ride?

View from the Porch

What do you see when you look out your front door? One of my favorite views is the one out our front door. On a sunny spring day we see pastures of grass, our two horses and my Mom and Dads house which is about 400 yards away. We also see across the tree tops and sometimes our neighbors dog Lucy walking up our gravel driveway for a visit. On a snowy winter day the view from our front porch looks like a postcard or a Merle Norman painting. My Mom has even commented that she likes the view from our front porch. To the east the sun rises above the mountains and then makes it's way across until it sets in the west disappearing over the Blue Ridge mountains. If you wanted to you could sit on a rocking chair on our front porch and watch this scene unfold right before your eyes.

Ephesians 3:17 and I pray that Christ will make his home in your hearts through faith. I pray that you may have your roots and foundation in love,

God watches us from his heavenly home through starry skies and the vastness of space. From His creation seemingly endless stars and galaxies He looks at you and I through the eyes of His son Jesus. Just as there are days when the view from my porch is filled with clouds which diffuse the sun and rain turns a gravel drive into mud. It is still a sight to see because I know the clouds will part and the land will soak up the water and use it to grow lush green grass for our horses to eat. Our Heavenly father sees the times when darkness fills our lives and the daily challenges over power us we strain beneath the weight. Yet He knows our potential and watches and guides us to make sure we have strong roots that allow us to with-stand the wind, rain and snow.

One of my favorite views is a half acre of mature white pines that stand in a parcel all by themselves. I've watched a hawk sit for an hour on the highest limb and then dive as if he's falling to the ground and them pick his prey out of the pasture beneath him with ease. On a windy day the sound is like a freight train and the wind blows through the limbs and the pines sway in unison. I like to stand under one of the trees and watch it bend as it is pressed by gusts, yet it never yields completely it merely bends as if to pay respect and let it pass.

In life when the storms come do we yield to the distraction of the opposing force or just yield as gail blows knowing it will pass, knowing all the-while that our strength is build on a solid foundation, with deep roots. Those deep roots come from knowing the truth about who God is and who he made you and I to be. Children of the most High God.

Jesus said in Mark 4:39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

In great strength comes great peace. Jesus was able to command the wind while the men in the boat along with him only saw turmoil. The fishermen feared the storm yet in their presents was the wind maker the creator of life in their midst yet they couldn't see it.

We must learn who to place our strength in even in the darkest times. Gods strength is enough for all us who depend on him yet in order to tap that power we must have a daily relationship with him and that relationship comes through his son Jesus. Storms will come and go, place your trust in the one who has the power to command the wind and waves as well as the power to forgive. Place your trust in Christ.

Church Grower or Church Goer

Since my wife and I began our path as church planters one thing has been consistent, opposition from other church goers. Now I don't think it is on purpose or malicious for the most part but as much as we have made it a point to reach the unchurched those that attend a traditional church have provided little or no support. Most of the people we meet and talk to about our church planting efforts are kind and supportive in word only. And that's ok with me. However it should be pointed out that a few denominations are on church planting sprees. If you go to a State Convention meeting or regional ministry association gathering you will probably hear them applaud someone who has started a church. (I think the applause is a nervous response of "glad it's not me") The only problem with this process is that this message hasn't got to the local congregations, the individual in the pew. Local church congregations and pastors talk about supporting missions overseas yet, America is slowly falling into a secular nation mind set.

The small church planter is strong and focused. He may not have a huge church backing him but never-the-less is called to grow the body of Christ. I think to my own experiences to planting in Western North Carolina. A church on every corner and yet the majority of them only have a handful of members left and the church membership is aging with hardly any young families. That's the WNC area. Our first year here we spent going and visiting with churches and various people that we thought wanted to be part of a church plant and to put it mildly it has fallen flat on it's face. And to be quit honest it has left me frustrated and feeling ill about the whole process. The blame is all mine. Even though I trust in God to guild me I have let my feelings get the best of me at times. This area even started a Church Planting Network but to be a part of the Network you had to pay a coaching fee which I thought was a bit corporate for my taste. Again this came from a very large church that had members putting money into church planting efforts that they picked not what was being planted. That has beed some of my experiences.

A church grower has a different mindset than that of the typical church goer. The church grower takes the task of spreading the gospel literally. The bible commands us to go make disciples. In 2011 the church is going to have to change to reach the young families of this generation. This will hit alot of nerves and make some that read this think who is he to say these things!? All you have to do is look on the bookshelf at the local Christian bookstore and look at the church starting section and you will see volumes of covers sharing the latest greatest church planting strategies. And even on Sunday morning it preached from the pulpit but the hearts of the congregations are not available or willing to support church planting. I'm not talking about money. Yes, it takes cold hard cash to start a church but even more important is the maturity of the Christ follower to help grow and reach the next generation.

The church goer may show up on Sunday sit in a Sunday School class and then occupy a seat during the preaching. Beyond that it may not go any further. If you are still reading take time right now and pray about your relationship with your heavenly Father and your own worship. Most preachers I've heard speak usually say at some point that we are not meant to merely occupy a pew. Yet, he would lose his job if he actually preached about the lack of vision and apathy in the congregation.

The Church Grower is a visionary. He is focused on the equipment it will take to get it off the ground. Lets just take for granted that the church planter has spent hours on his knees seeking Gods will and countless pages of study reading the bible for guidance. It takes getting people together finding equipment and letting the community around you know where you are. Although it can't be done by one person it usually is, the pastor/planter and his wife. Talk about burn out. There are no church planting support groups that can understand what he goes through to plant and start a church. One things for sure the people that need to read this won't ever see it. If they do please call me I will suggest how to help.

This post isn't for the weak hearted or those who don't like confrontation, ugh. It's for the one with a vision and a heart for adventure. Gods great adventure.

New Year New Yawn

Could you watch it? The memorial service from Tucson, Arizona of the January 8th shooting at a political gathering that killed six people, was televised yesterday. I couldn't watch it. It was on the TV but just couldn't bring myself to listen or see the images. A very tragic event.

Instead I went outside and watched my son and his friend sled down our hill. The joys of my family are made in memories every day. My daughter who is bored from the snow-days just wanted to get out of the house, so we put dry clothes on and went to the mall to walk around. Living in Asheville is challenging because our two children grew up with neighbors right across the street to play with. Not so where we live now. But I am proud of the way they have adapted to the area despite the cultural differences.

Strength comes in various forms. During an open house at my daughters school one of her teachers commented as I walked through the door "You're a large, tall man, I wouldn't mess with you". It was a funny comment because I don't see myself that way, but it helps with the guys that want to date her. My philosophy has always been that our family draws on our collective strength and we draw strength from our faith in God.

My wife is source of great strength and inspiration with a strong faith. The snow continues to fall, the temperature will be well below freezing but the sun is shinning and the best is yet to come.

Have you heard

The other day I came across an announcement for a message entitled "wake up call for Gods people". It made me think, "are Gods people asleep?...yeah, pretty much." If we lived our lives as true Christ followers would we need a clever marketing strategy, book and cd series to wake us up.
Micah 6:7 "Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?"
What do we do to make things right with God? Do we increase our activities at church, enroll in a new committee, teach another class, become more involved in the church, tithe more? NO! Instead get on your kness and ask for forgiveness of the pride, the hatelful way you have treated people, for not standing up for what is right, for keeping silent when you should have spoken out, for putting your own agenda before Gods. The church, you and I, are not to be political machines in our worship. How are you and I different in Christ?
Matthew 3:8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.
Pride and self-importance don't bear repentance instead it looks more like "what's in it for me." You may not act like it on the outside but the heart reaveals true motives.
Jeremiah 4:14 O Jerusalem, wash your heart from evil, that you may be saved. How long shall your wicked thoughts lodge within you?
Keep reading, it gets' better. If you and I are to make disciples and share the life changing message of Christ in this world our lives must reflect Christ in us. The "wake up call" may simply mean getting your life in perspective to Christ. Before Christmas I read the story of George Washington at Valley Forge December 24, 1777. The story moved me and I told everyone in my family to read it before Christmas. It reminded me that men have taken a stand for whats right despite the overwhelming odds against them. Today we have forgotten what it means to stand-up for the right. Boldness is viewed as an undesirable trait. Yet these men stood in the face of great opposition and it proved victorious.
Have you heard that God loves you and wants to know you. Only through a repentant heart will you have access to the Creator and Father of Jesus our savior. Have you heard that your mistakes, pride and willful disobidience can be forgiven if you will ask. If you know Jesus as you Lord but have fallen into the trap of doing it your way repent ask Jesus to search your heart get right with Him and begin to live a life filled with the power of the Holy Spirit residing in you. Have you heard? Now tell someone.

Holy Day

Thanksgiving was awesome this year. Another fried turkey under my belt... literally. Last year was our first year to try fried Tom and everyone agreed, it's the way to go. So once again, we took the family out on a deer hunt, Suzanne stayed at home to prepare the fixins'. This was Devins first hunt and she enjoyed it very much although not a deer was to be found we still had a great time. Earl, our GPS Outdoors ministry leader took point as our trail guide alone with his daughter Fiona.

We spent about 3 hours in the woods then made our way back to the house. This is my time to cook, turn on the gas, light the burner, get the oil to temp and gently lower the 13.5 lb Tom into it's final resting place. 45 minutes later a golden bird is lifted onto our Supper plates for a tasty meal.

This year the whole family agreed that we needed to find the tallest tree we could get into the front door for our Christmas. So off we go to the Farmers Market and Suzanne our cheif negotiator goes to work. Suzanne is good, I mean she could have talked the gunmen off of the clock tower. The first tree vendor we come to has some very tall trees but for our needs it has to be thin and tall. So the owner takes us to a tree standing up against another tree and the light shown down, this was the one. No more looking around, stop, make sure it's wel shaped and let the negotiator loose. Suzanne begins her magic, I mean it's an art, we work as a team but she's the lead. She makes her offer, looking the owner square in the eyes, he counters, she makes one more offer and walks leaving me to explain. The two of us, men, now have a choice to make, I either exchange cash with the owner or we both walk away with our ears pinned back. We drive away with a 14' Christmas tree from the hills of Avery County. Her work here is done.

Christ is at the center of everything our family is and does. No one, nothing and no circumstance will ever change that. God can change a life one day at a time it's only our stuborn pride that truely hinders God from working through us and in us. Church leader, pastor, deacon, elder or member, if you put your pride aside and let Christ truley have first place in your life you will never be the same.

On the Road

We enjoy almost everything cowboy. I will be the first to admit that I don't work as hard as most cowboys I know. Some of the cowboys I know put in tremendous hours that no accountant gives overtime too. It's time in the saddle, so to speak.

This past weekend my family and I had were invited to hold Cowboy Church for the North Carolina Single Action Shooter Society State Match better know as Uprising at Swearing Creek in Salisbury, NC.

I gathered the whole family for this outing, besides Clay, my son, loves to stay in hotels, it's just something he has always liked to do and trust me he experiences everything possible when he gets there. We even brought Fletcher, our cowdog, along. You can't have Cowboy Church without the dog.

It's an experience to go out as a family to a new town. Especially when you're only gone for a day. As light as we tried to pack, including sound system for cowboy church, we still loaded the car down. So we loaded up the truck and moved to Bever... I mean headed for Salisbury. Once we got to town we dropped our luggage and headed for the range, (gun range) to check out where we going to put on Cowboy Church. One of the things I like about SASS is that know matter where you go you always run into friends from some other event. And we did just that in a matter of oh about 2 minutes of being on the range. We ran in to 4 people we had seen at the Del Rio Wild West Days in Tennessee. Plus a leather maker we met at the High Country Cowboy Shoot in Asheville.

I'll tell you right now I believe in my heart that this is how God wired me. Being on the road with Cowboy Church. It just makes me happy to see people that I met or that came to a Cowboy Church we put on somewhere else in the US. If I had my way I would do this every month in a different location.

Sunday morning comes (turn the clocks back) and we set up for cowboy church and 25 people show up. Suzanne, my wife, has been part of the service line up since I asked her to do a short devotional each week at drive-in church here in Asheville. And sure enough the ladies that were there got right in to it. We sang some songs and heard Gods message.

After the service we decided to go get a bite to eat and then go back to the final shoot-out. We said our good-byes and pointed our ponies west toward Asheville and reigned in another trail drive'n, hat tippin', church in the dirt.

Thank you Lord for the opportunity to share your message through ordinary lives, lived in extraordinary days, following an awesome God.

The Church Disfunctional

Another-one bites the dust. A recently hired youth minister here in Western North Carolina is out of a job. Although the details are sketchy the fact is he is gone. I know about some of this churches process because I had spoken to the search committee about the youth minister position and after they hired this young man this spring they assured me that they had found "Gods man" for the job. Yikes!

The church is losing youth by car loads. They are tired of the drama and politics of the "church tradition" and just don't want to deal with it in church. So they don't come to church. In this blog I'm going to put some thoughts out and I hope you respond with your views on this delima facing our churches today.

Let's look at a two areas affecting church growth in today's generation. The is first is structure and the second is format.

No one will admit it but it is widely known that if you make the wrong person upset in the church it could mean your job as a staff member is short lived. Why is this happening? The church staff should run the church operations not the congregation. Churches here in Western North Carolina are about ten years behind the worship styles in other cities. This may be upsetting to those of you who think that a piano and organ are the only acceptable forms for worship. If this is the case then I would submit that the worship styles in many churches is thirty years behind. If you walk into any Red Brick church in this area you will understand what I am saying. The music is driven by a 50 or 60 year old choir director and being accompanied by a piano or organist. And the music being played is from the Hymn Book. The young people that are there are dying from boredom. This is the thirty year gap I am speaking of. If the staff were to understand the need to reach today's generation and make the necessary changes to the worship format the church council would call an emergency meeting and discuss the future employment of their pastor, and choir director. And afterwards they (pastor, music minister, youth minister) may not have a job.

A youth minster will not be allowed to operate any program that would reach today's youth without upsetting the church body, if that church body is made up of traditional or older members. Don't get me wrong a mature church body is needed to pass on the knowledge of the scripture and relationship with Christ. A church stuck in a 1975 style it is not growing. Don't believe me, just look at how empty churches are today or just go and try to sit through a service. Most services are boring and cold. There are very few churches that are really reaching young families.

It's time to make room for the next generation and stop threatening to stop tithing if it doesn't go you way.

Second is format. Let's look at the youth ministry. Many churches youth format is lacking in depth and substance. So a youth minister begins to format a weekly program to fit the community. Well meaning church members begin to criticize the program and next thing you know your youth program is over and families are leaving. The youth ministry will never succeed like this. If the church body voted the minister in then they should be smart enough to know that it takes time to work out a new position. The opposite usually happens, the youth minister, at least here in Asheville, is gone within a few months of hire. This is not because of the youth minister causing problems, it is usually a result of the church body and staff feeling threatened by new formats and programs.

It is sad to see so many churches dying on the vine because they won't allow the staff to do their job. We have started 4 Cowboy Churches and even in the Cowboy Church this has been something we have faced. The cowboy churches here in North Carolina are just duplicates of the churches the pastors come from. Same old music and format. So how are we going to bring in young families, those that don't attend church now?

It is my observation that we need to update our delivery. The message doesn't change but the way we get it out needs to. Duplicating the church of our youth is not reaching the family of today. The baptist convention will say the same thing and everyone in attendance will nod their heads in agreement and whisper to their neighbor, "yes brother", but after they get back home and someone suggests changing the worship format you'll be the first one to assemble the search committee for a replacement staff member because someones on the way out.

If your church is losing members or not growing it's time to think about who the problem is. You'll either grow or make excuses for the short fall.

Yeah, I'm talking to you!

Invisable

"Membership has it's rewards", one business quotes to entice consumers to use it's services. Recently I have had some interesting conversations about membership in a church. And the responses I get are as varied as the number of people I have spoken too.

Does church membership equal rewards, earthly or eternally? Since I began my journey as a church planter I have encountered some, well-meaning, misinformed, yet educated men who have tried to set me straight, as it were, on how to "do" church, (cowboy church). Some have said, "if it doesn't meet on a Sunday then it's not church", others have said because we have church at a rodeo arena or outdoor venue that it is not church. I've been told that it's more of a "service" but it's not church. Most of these guys are career pastors with a salary and retirement plan. Most have never gone out and planted a church without a full time income to back them. It would be safe to say that most would not even venture into that arena for fear of losing their car or home.

So back to membership. If a church requires membership to participate in it's activities or voting power in which color the carpeting will be, or will the pastor be here next week or not, does this entitlement into the hallowed halls of church life provide a proper setting for christian service or social posturing?

Look at the following example. Recently I ran into a friend who is familiar with our church planting efforts here in Western North Carolina. To which our conversation began on the lack of vision residing in many of the nearly empty pews in the established church venues. In order to fulfil their desire to worship the Living God they go to a large church where they find comfort in just going in to worship and then leave with out making contact with another person upon entry and exit. Now what I know of church is the exact opposite of that experience. Church should be a place of sharing and carrying one anothers burdens. Instead church, in many eyes, is a social networking location of the popular and posturing population.

Any wonder why church is not meeting it's intended mission in our communities. Each week an email from the NC State Baptist Convention Worship consultant fills my in-box saying the same thing, maybe a little nicer but he is going around and hawking church services to observe their worship style or lack of and then sends his thoughts through the world wide web on how our churches are missing the mark in worship.

Like my friend who shows up each Sunday to the Mega Church, (because it's easy to be as face in the crowd), only to get fed and leave without any other contact save than that of the Holy Spirit. Do you get the picture yet? This is the coming generation of leaders in our churches. Why is the picture of so many of our churches filled with members only? I'll never forget Mark, the pastor of Victory Baptist here in Asheville said to me when I brought one of my ministry leaders and best friends to church one Sunday, Mark took me to the side and said,"You may not want to bring visitors with you right away until people get used to you being here." No kidding, this pastor was afraid of new people coming in and upsetting the "membership". Yikes!

Does membership have it's rewards in church? Where will the leaders of the church in 10 years come from?

Matthew 15:8 "'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;
Matthew 15:9 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'"

The Lord desires your authentic worship. John 4:23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.

The one membership that counts is the Grace of Christ and the salvation from our sins He gave us from the cross. Bring your worship and that is the membership with eternal rewards. Popular and posturing have no room in Gods Kingdom, His arms provide plenty of space for your worship, come as you are. Allow Christ into your heart to make you into the kind of person He wants you to be

Church Signs

Have you ever driven by a church and read the marquee. Some have quaint phrases or some profound message in a single sentence. Does it make you wonder, "who writes this stuff?", or "wow! I never knew that!", better yet, "what?!". Do you think Jesus carved a plaque for the front of his house with some deep thought from the writings of Moses, so that everyone who walked in would know he knew the "Book"?

It makes one think, doesn't it. Is there a book somewhere with these phrases listed by month and day, topic or doctrine? Maybe there is one for Southern Baptist, Mega Baptist, Methodist, or some variation of your denomination. What would the sign read if were layed out by the facilities neighbors, former members or past employees? Should churches even have a sign out front that is able to be changed daily or even weekly? Some mega churches have billboard size signs that splay it's activities for all that pass by.

So next time on your way to church think about the signs God is trying to get you to read. I'm not talking about words on a board but the words God is speaking to you each and every day through the life you live.

Look at this verse, Jesus said, Matthew 12:39 But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah."

The people that put signs out for you to read may be as wayward as the passer-by. If you want the true word read the Bible, learn Gods word from the source. God may be putting signs in your path right now, the way you respond to His prompting is make Christ first in your life. Then you will be able to understand the signs that you pass by each day and determine which ones matter and the ones that mean nothing.

Don't be distracted by words on a marquee read what really matters. Gods words is a sign of His love for you and I. That's a sign worth a second look.

Trail of Tales

When we first moved here to Asheville to start Land of the Sky Cowboy Church I did it with much prayer and discussion with my family and other ministry leaders in the Cowboy Church community. We didn't just decide one day to do it, we planned it and followed specific steps to plant a church. As we began our new work here in Asheville it became apparent that many of the people in leadership in the cowboy church community here in North Carolina and Asheville were not as willing to help as we thought or even as they had said. This began to play out with posturing and rumors being said about me.

It's a well known fact that the other cowboy church here in Asheville has been very distant towards us, even as we have tried to reach out and bridge any misconceptions or hurt feelings. In 2009 I even tried for a few weeks to meet with these pastors and cowboy church leaders to arrange a meeting only to be totally rejected, I have the emails to show for it. Reaching out we only got our hand slapped for trying. Not what I was expecting nor has any of it been Christ like or even biblical. It resembles something like high school where you have to walk on egg shells and not make someone upset or you won't get asked to the prom. We've been rejected by groups because they said we were not "church like enough" and rejected for not being "cowboy church like enough". All the time asking for help and leaders to be a part of the ministry.

So lets go to 2009, we are meeting in Madison County, NC and a cowboy church that is located 45 minutes west of us begins a partnership at a rodeo just 2 miles from where we are meeting, the same county. I call and ask the [astor of the other church if we could help out since it is right in our back yard, we get a resounding no! At the same time a rumor begins that me and someone in the rodeo committee have had words with each other. I call the pastor of the other Cowboy Church that the rumor is coming from and ask why this is being said, the pastor confirms the rumor and I try to tell him that me and the person he says that I have had an argument with have never met. It never happened. So I take it one step further I go to the person who I supposedly had an argument with and even he says that we have never had words or argued before. Strange, I think to myself, why are people trying to do this to me and my family. Still no one asks us to help at the rodeo that is just a few miles from our Cowboy Church. It's almost like a competition not ministry.

The reason I say these things is that the rumors and misinformation continue against us. Since then the cowboy church that was coming into our area has now begun to meet right where we were meeting. And not once did these people from this Cowboy Church ask us to get involved or help out in any way. If we are brothers in Christ were is the unity. It only seems like discord and rivalry.

Well just recently I got a call and was told that the pastor of the Cowboy Church that has now set up shop right next to where we were is telling everyone that I have lost my ministry license. The part that strikes me is that now matter what happens this church is doing everything they can to try and start rumors. It is sad to hear and it grieves me because Christ is not in any of this, it's the posturing and personal agendas that are in the front row.

We have asked other ministry leaders to step in and assist with these challenges but everyone has a hands off approach, no one wants to get involved even when it is in direct opposition Gods word. This has had a profound effect on my family personally they have seen things that I never thought we would experience in any ministry especially the cowboy church. Personally I've never seen anyting like this. Where ever I've messed up I'm willing to take responsibility for but this has gotten so far out of hand it's almost childish. In a word my family has seen the dark side of ministry. Please keep us in your prayers, we can't change people or years of tradition but God can break hearts and change lives. He knows the inner workings of all of us and in the end God desires that we come before Him humbly and with Christ in our heart.