5 Hills Cowboy Church — Attraction in Lampasas

We visited this church twice in 3 months. First when we were looking to buy a home in the area and scouting out the possibilities...churches, schools, services, etc. And again 3 months later after getting the house and moving from out of state.

On the first visit, it was the Christmas service and so not a typical service - we understood that and took it into consideration. The pastor came up to us afterwards and chatted but it felt insinsere.

Understanding that their Christmas program was not the typical service, we certainly wanted to return and so we did but only to utter disappointment.

The pastor didn't even remember meeting me before much less remember my name. Not the Christian welcoming we were hoping for. It's hard to be new and all alone in a community and we were hoping to find like minded people.

Both of us had played in the praise band at our home church and were looking forward to maybe getting started again here. But I was disappointed - no - DISPLEASED with what I heard. On the first visit - before the Christmas presentation, they were playing CANNED COUNTRY AND WESTERN MUSIC - some gospel and some not. I find that objectionable and distasteful. I can hear that stuff on the radio or on any jukebox in any honkytonk, saloon or tavern. Why do I want to go to Church to hear it? And also, there is a disctict difference between COWBOY and Country and Western. Their Church would be better named: 5 HILLS RURAL CHURCH...as it has very little to do with Cowboys.

Then on the 2nd visit, the praise band played about 4 or 5 songs in a row which to me presented more like entertainment rather than worship. It was also obvious that they were taking anyone with warm blood to play instruments and not people who actually knew how to play. I'm sorry, but a kind heart that allows anyone to murder a song is not helping the congregation to worship. I'm not the Eric Clapton of guitar players or the Jethro Burns of the mandolin but at least I know better than to tackle something above my ability. Their presentation was atrocious. Then when the pastor didn't give me a warm welcome back, we knew that would be the last time we attended.

It's a shame that people who profess to be Christians act more like cult members and think their little clique is more important than an inviting atmosphere...

I was a little taken back by the ppl behind me carrying on a conversation loud enough for me to hear even though they were a few seats behind and down from me, as well as a lady in front of me on her phone with Facebook posting about how the rain was really coming down, while the pastor was preaching. And after ward I lingered thinking someone might nod their head or shake my hand and welcome my son and i to the services, however after about 5 min of standing by the door this didn't happen, so I decided to come on home in the "pouring rain. I was really up in the air about giving this review, however the pastor gave a sermon on does your actions show others you are a Christian? And while I know I have many of my own thorns to pull, i went to church today looking for spiritual strength to help me get through this next week, so that I may not stumble, and I guess I sorta expected to find strength in numbers, however in a church filled with ppl there to worship and give praise to the all mighty, i sorta felt like I left a little weaker than I was when I first walked in. I would like to say that the music was beautiful and i completely enjoyed it, i just wish the congregation had been more welcoming to strangers. Dear Father God, I pray that others are not discouraged by this ,and that the congregation grows and is fruitful and also I pray that the pastors horse fully recovers from his snake...

It is very easy to relax here. The message is kept short. John P doesn't feel the need to beat a dead horse. Music can be a bit loud for my taste, but a set of earplugs makes it better. They include the kids in the opening procedures, which...