The concepts of planning and strategic thinking play no part in the development of Cowboy Valley Church. He merely prays for the community and waits for God to open doors. He and his family reach out in practical ways as well. "We try to help and give service. We're on the ranch fixing fences, hauling cattle or even rescuing horses during summer fires."
He and his wife are not trying to force their way into other's lives, he says. They simply seek to respond obediently to God when he asks them to step into situations. "God gives us the opportunity and he gives us the words to speak." That has lead to the various roles he fills far beyond that of the normal pastoral function.
"I want people to know God's love the way we know it. I am here because of someone's obedience to God. Someone loved God so much they reached me and now I want to return the favour. If I don't do it, who will?"
For many churches, congregation counts and growth are crucial. But for Cowboy Valley Church they are irrelevant. "God doesn't worry about numbers the way we often do. He simply loves and calls one heart at a time!"
That simple philosophy and strategy is one he wishes others trying to reach different groups and individuals would follow, even when the frustrations and disappointments build. "Sure we get discouraged," he admits, often crying out, questioning God, "What are we doing here?" Sometimes, he ruefully notes, "we're singing a worship song . . . and I am the only one singing. But that doesn't matter, because we're still praising God!"
This kind of ministry is, he agrees, "not for the fainthearted." It requires him to work full-time to cover his family's needs as well as ministry costs. During the rodeo season, the schedule itself is brutal enough without the pressures of work and the constant needs to minister to and counsel individuals. "If you don't have the drive and the passion for this kind of ministry, don't do it."
In a word, he says, the key is obedience. Obedience to God's call and a willingness to do whatever it takes to follow through on that call.
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Cowboy 10 Commandments
1. Just One God
2. Honor yer Ma & Pa
3. No tellin' tales or gossipin'
4. Get yerself to Sunday meetin'
5. Put nothin' before God
6. No foolin' around with another fellow's gal
7. No killin'
8. Watch yer mouth
9. Don't take what ain't yers
10. Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff |
"You have to love your community," says Bates, no matter what that 'community' is. "You have to love them and who they are and embrace where they're at. It took me many years to really understand this and I am grateful that God has been so patient with me as I learned." Quite simply, "I have to see people through Jesus' eyes rather than my own."
He wonders if, in our churches, we have lost that. "Have we so isolated ourselves that we don't see people through God's eyes, but rather our own?" he asks. "Wherever God has planted you, you need to let his love grow."
All of that is mitigated in his case, he confesses, by one other simple fact. He loves the cowboy lifestyle and community. "God has given us something we're passionate about and we are able to work in it for his purposes. I feel like I am seeing things and doing things that are far beyond what I could do on my own."
Cowboy Valley Church may be a unique ministry reaching a uniquely Canadian culture, but its dynamics and story can be repeated by many other exceptional ministries across Canada, all reaching out to unreached people in cities, towns and villages sea to sea.
For more information visit http://www.bestlifesuccess.com/cowboyvalleychurch/
