This has been an absolute incredible year at Cowboy Fellowship and we are just getting warmed up! We have Ranch Rodeo coming up and a huge 7th Anniversary team roping on May 1st and we are really excited about it. We will NOT be having a Saturday night service on May 1st due to the Ranch Rodeo but we will be holding service on Sunday morning as always. We have a summer full of activities planned for the children and youth, and we have some new and exciting things in the works for this fall as well. It is an exciting time to be a part of the Body of Christ here at Cowboy Fellowship. So this month I want to talk about what’s right with the church. So many focus on what’s wrong with the church, but I believe that we should be talking about all the things that are right instead. Acts 9:31 says “Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.” I
believe that this verse points out some of the main things that are right with the church here at Cowboy Fellowship.
The first thing is the church in Acts enjoyed a climate of peace. The context of this verse is talking specifically about a decline in the physical persecution of this church from the outside. However, peace involves much more then just the absence of persecution. A church of peace is not void of conflict but instead deal with their differences openly, honestly, and as mature believers. A climate of peace builds unity and places a high value on every person who attends. A church of peace is truly a church that knows what it means to love the world and each other as Christ loved us. Here at Cowboy Fellowship we have experienced this climate of peace and unity and it is a wonderful thing.
The second thing that is right with the church is sustained spiritual growth of individual believers. The verse in Acts says “It (the church) was strengthened.” The Greek word used actually means to build or be built up, like building a house. It is referring to the members of the Body who are growing spiritually. This is happening all over Cowboy Fellowship. We now have record numbers of people enrolled in our Monday night discipleship classes. There are small groups and bible studies that meet almost every day of the week from our church. And most importantly people are growing and maturing in their faith.
The third thing we see is that the church in Acts was ALIVE! They were encouraged by, or some translations say walking with, the Holy Spirit. As you read about these churches in Acts they were alive and full of faith. They took risks. They did things no one else would do. They were witnessing and inviting others to join them. They were excited about the things God was doing within the Body. I see this every week at Cowboy Fellowship. You are excited, our church is alive, and we are walking with the Spirit.
We also see numerical growth and multiplication happening with the church in Acts. We have seen a
numerical explosion at our church in the last seven years. We have seen our attendance grow. We know that this growth is not because of anything we have done but has been made possible by God alone. Thousands of lives have been touched and changed over the last seven years. Our church has also been a part of helping several other churches get started. This is great and is one more thing that is right with the church.
Finally, we see that the church had its focus in the right place, it was focused on God and his kingdom. I see this attitude and heart here at Cowboy Fellowship as well. It is a wonderful thing when so many different people come together and put their differences and individual wills aside and become focused on the things of God. This is the way it should always be and my prayer is that we would always be united under the banner of Christ not the banner of Cowboy Fellowship.
This month, as I said, we celebrate our 7 year anniversary. Don’t miss our celebration service on May 2nd, it is going to be great. We will have baptisms and potluck as well great music and an inspiring sermon. As we approach this wonderful day let’s celebrate not just because another year has passed, but instead, let us all join together and celebrate about all the things that are right with the church here at Cowboy Fellowship. May God continue to bless you and your family and our church in the next seven years. I hope to see you at the roping Saturday, May 1st @ 9 AM and the ranch rodeo @ 6 PM. Both are being held at the Poteet Lions Club Arena on the Strawberry Festival grounds. And don’t forget on Sunday morning at our church services!
believe that this verse points out some of the main things that are right with the church here at Cowboy Fellowship.
The first thing is the church in Acts enjoyed a climate of peace. The context of this verse is talking specifically about a decline in the physical persecution of this church from the outside. However, peace involves much more then just the absence of persecution. A church of peace is not void of conflict but instead deal with their differences openly, honestly, and as mature believers. A climate of peace builds unity and places a high value on every person who attends. A church of peace is truly a church that knows what it means to love the world and each other as Christ loved us. Here at Cowboy Fellowship we have experienced this climate of peace and unity and it is a wonderful thing.
The second thing that is right with the church is sustained spiritual growth of individual believers. The verse in Acts says “It (the church) was strengthened.” The Greek word used actually means to build or be built up, like building a house. It is referring to the members of the Body who are growing spiritually. This is happening all over Cowboy Fellowship. We now have record numbers of people enrolled in our Monday night discipleship classes. There are small groups and bible studies that meet almost every day of the week from our church. And most importantly people are growing and maturing in their faith.
The third thing we see is that the church in Acts was ALIVE! They were encouraged by, or some translations say walking with, the Holy Spirit. As you read about these churches in Acts they were alive and full of faith. They took risks. They did things no one else would do. They were witnessing and inviting others to join them. They were excited about the things God was doing within the Body. I see this every week at Cowboy Fellowship. You are excited, our church is alive, and we are walking with the Spirit.
We also see numerical growth and multiplication happening with the church in Acts. We have seen a
numerical explosion at our church in the last seven years. We have seen our attendance grow. We know that this growth is not because of anything we have done but has been made possible by God alone. Thousands of lives have been touched and changed over the last seven years. Our church has also been a part of helping several other churches get started. This is great and is one more thing that is right with the church.
Finally, we see that the church had its focus in the right place, it was focused on God and his kingdom. I see this attitude and heart here at Cowboy Fellowship as well. It is a wonderful thing when so many different people come together and put their differences and individual wills aside and become focused on the things of God. This is the way it should always be and my prayer is that we would always be united under the banner of Christ not the banner of Cowboy Fellowship.
This month, as I said, we celebrate our 7 year anniversary. Don’t miss our celebration service on May 2nd, it is going to be great. We will have baptisms and potluck as well great music and an inspiring sermon. As we approach this wonderful day let’s celebrate not just because another year has passed, but instead, let us all join together and celebrate about all the things that are right with the church here at Cowboy Fellowship. May God continue to bless you and your family and our church in the next seven years. I hope to see you at the roping Saturday, May 1st @ 9 AM and the ranch rodeo @ 6 PM. Both are being held at the Poteet Lions Club Arena on the Strawberry Festival grounds. And don’t forget on Sunday morning at our church services!
Pastor Pete
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