This is what services at a "Cowboy Church" are like. These types of church services are usually held in an arena or outdoor setting, and are usually shorter then most church services. This video was filmed last sunday at the start of the services. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdHOrixd6mc
"spectacle of worship"???? Not quiet sure I understand your statment? This type of church reaches those that do not like going to a traditional church. I do not wear a suit during the week, so I see no need in dressing up just on sunday morning. Just about all of the sermons taught by Jesus were outdoors, why should this be any different?
Not sure why you make such a judgement from one little video which showed no quality of music to say they are seeking their own glory. My brother leads worship at a local "cowboy church" and since they follow the same Jesus and worship the one and only God, what "style" of church they do it in doesn't matter does it?
Well Paul said that he became a jew to the jew, weak to the weak so that he could save many, so there is a need to adapt ourselves to the ones we try to reach with the good news of God's kingdom, however, once they were "reached" and "educated" with the accurate knowledge of the Truth, Christians put on a new personality. We are expected to see a change in us. Granted, to put on a suit and tie doesn't prove a real change of heart and making a mind over. Still most Churches welcome people by saying "come as you are" when the Bible teaches, that we MUST get rid of the old personality and put on a new. Cowboy church, biker church, this church that church, cater to niches of people that dont see the need for a change. i dunno, most of these churches an bands seek their own glory. The song sung is not praising God Almighty, it's just a tune with maybe a "christian flavor" but thats about it..
I guess maybe that is what you found near you, but the churches I have seen here are all glorifying God. If you think that being a cowboy or a biker is bad and you have to change from that to show growth in Christ you are being fooled. The change God seeks is from the heart, some outward things like drug use should change, but we all don't have to dress like a tv evangelist to be saved. Don't let man's traditions get in front of Christ's message. Traditions can be fine, but if they become a "must do" then you have added to Christ's message and if you know the word, you would know the warning related to "adding to or taking from" His message. "Come as you are" is to the lost, the unsaved, we can't get ourselves "right" and then come to God. But if once you are saved you should be putting away the old and taking on Christ.
The "expected to see a change in us" is the key words of everything you posted. Who expects to see change? You, the guy down the road, or the man on the moon? Change what? Are we supposed to cut our hair, wear a suit and maybe wear nice dress shoes? If a leopard could change its spots, would it still be a leopard? Sure it would be. Once the hart is changed, the outside will change. Jesus said in Matthew 12:35, The most important part of a person is their acts and their mouth. What comes from their mouth is a reflection of their heart. Without acts, faith is dead. The people that put on these cowboy churches and biker churches are reaching out to the people that regular churches have neglected. I will not wear a suit, because it is not me. I will not pretend to be something I am not. A true Christian not someone who dresses up on sunday morning and pretends to be something else. If you want to dress up and pretend to be something your not, do it at a costume party, not at church. If I decide to go to a church that meets in a rodeo arena, who are you to criticize me? It is not your place to speak against those that meet in the name of Jesus. Where ever that meeting place is, that is our church.