What is a Western Heritage Community Church

What is a Western Heritage Community Church? By: Christopher Dysinger I wish I could take credit for this designation but I cannot. It was my wife Tina who coined this descriptive name and the reason she did was to clearly define exactly what kind of church we are. Cross Trail Church is a Western Heritage Community Church which means we do church according to our western heritage. What then is our Western Heritage? Western heritage is what defines our culture in the American mid-west. Really, to understand us all you have to do is live here for a while. In my book, The Code of the West and the Bible I attempt to explain our culture which I define as being “cowboy” in this way. “Being “cowboy” is riding horses and working cattle. It is the rodeo, but more than just the bull riding. It is ranches and farms. It is tractors and working the land. It is big rigs and truckers. It is everything that makes the life we live in mid western America great, which people who live in big cities sometimes might not get. . . All things “cowboy” defines genuine people who understand hard work, and good people who know how to enjoy life when the work is done. It is loving God and loving family. It is raising children right and teaching them what it means to be good. It is not just cowboy hats and boots. It is not some sub-culture among the greater American culture. It is more than what you might find in a movie. It defines a genuine way of life. A way of life which honors God, loves country, keeps marriage vows, and takes care of family.” Western Heritage is what has been handed down to us from generation to generation but more than this, it has shaped us into the people we are today. In my honest opinion the culture and heritage we have in the mid-west is what makes our nation great. I don't say this to disparage anyone who doesn't live here. I say this to state what I genuinely believe. I absolutely love living and raising my family in Oklahoma and the mid-west. By defining Cross Trail Church as a Western Heritage Congregation we are saying our church is the outward manifestation of a culture and heritage that is genuinely us. Which means, when you visit us you are going to see pictures of cowboys, horses, cattle, big rigs, farms, and ranches on the walls. We have posters of John Wayne and Clint Eastwood guarding the coffee pot. You will find crosses and scriptures too. The music we sing will definitely have a Country and Western flair. You also will not find us wearing three piece suits although my wife thinks I look good in them. What you will see is the outward expression of what is in our hearts. Its God and country. Its the Lord Jesus and American pride. It is our Western Heritage. It is not just boots and cowboy hats that define us as country. It's not just the decorations in the church. It is what resides in our hearts that makes us who we are. I have been reading the autobiography of Johnny Cash and I like how Cash defines how the country itself once defined country music because I believe the same thing can be said about how we do church. “I was talking with a friend of mine about this the other day: that country life as I knew it might really be a thing of the past and when music people today, performers and fans alike, talk about being “country,” they don't mean they know or even care about the land and the life it sustains and regulates. They're talking more about choices–a way to look, a group to belong to, a kind of music to call their own. Which begs the question: Is there anything behind the symbols of modern “country,” or are the symbols themselves the whole story? Are the hats, boots, the pickup trucks, and the honky-tonkin poses all that's left of a disintegrating culture? Back in Arkansas, a way of life produced a certain kind of music.” At Cross Trail Church we are not looking to be a cowboy church in the manner today's country musicians; more about choice than a defining way of life. It is our way of life that leads to our way of worship. It is our way of life that moves us in how we serve the Lord Jesus. Our worship and service is not because we want a religion that defines us. We are not looking to be Christians as in how the symbols of country music now define what is country. We are Christians because we love the Lord. Therefore, what our lives produce is the natural outflow of all that resides in our hearts. In this we are genuine in our love, devotion, service, and worship. All these things define us as a Western Heritage Community Church. If you would really like to know more then I suggest you come and see for yourself by visiting with us one Sunday or two. You will find us in Blackwell, Oklahoma. 321 W. Blackwell Street. Service starts on Sunday morning at 10:45 AM. We'll see you there. The End.