Broken Arrow Wranglers has partnered with Friends of the Great Commission as a 501c3 project for the last 2+ years. Technically, this is termed a “fiscal sponsor” – and was the best plan to get established, raise funds and operate at low costs for the past couple of years. Now, as we are hitting thresholds, looking at building capital and discussing more about land and property…and as we also have potential investor / partners wanting to come on board, we now have the need to establish our own formal 501c3, which we have determined will be named “Broken Arrow Wranglers Foundation”
As we proceed with this, we have a choice to select/register as a “religious” organization, or to choose a different classification. In my opinion, this doesn’t change our heart, how we operate…or any of that. There is no question that this is a ministry, built out of an experience with Jesus Christ, who is alive and well and is leading and guiding in every single thing we do.
Here’s the issue. We as humans have a tendency to make our own towers (verse on Babylon), our own language, our own culture and our own society. I have heard this described as “man’s attempt” to explain God. As if we can put God in a box.
If religion is a set of rules, compliance and regulations that deter from our relationship with Jesus, then we are not “religious”. I personally have come to almost hate that word because of it’s tie to man’s perception, rules and the deception that can come with it. I know I am not the only one that struggles with this.
I would say from the past 4 years of experience, that the people who come to “see” are searching. Many of them are not professing Christians, and even the ones that are – have such a wide range of belief systems that we could get overrun with our human brokenness in arguments about each person’s perception, interpretations and creed. I have seen that if we put out overly spiritual language, and speak in a language that is not understood by many…we not only lose some of them…some of them close off and shy away.
I have also seen (through experiences with the horse) the Holy Spirit work in people, without any words being spoken. A common bond, united in knowing that there is a source that is so much greater than we could imagine, drawing us all together and revealing the unity that we have. The judgment is removed, we build relationship, we show kindness and love, and we grow together. And as we do…we are then able to have conversations, honest ones, about who Jesus really is. It almost always comes up organically, it never feels forced…and it is usually a welcomed conversation.
We have worked on a mission statement for years, in an attempt to describe what our purpose is. In it’s simplest form, we are advancing the Kingdom of God, by bringing people to Jesus through relational experiences with horses, the outdoors. We do this through a co-op of people and ranches who are united under this common purpose.
In our other attempts to explain it, we say that we serve the brokenhearted by restoring life through relational experiences.
Other explanations have included how we do it, the horses, the platform, the co-op structure of it all. It seems unexplainable, but yet it is already explained and written down. It is the living expression of the WORD of God. I guess that makes me feel a little better about my failure to come up with a concise statement of mission. It’s Jesus. It’s relationship. It’s freedom. He decides how it works, where we go, and what we do. Period. That’s what it means to follow Jesus. Obedience to Jesus and His Word IS freedom.
We are the ones that mess it up…
Funny thing is, it happens whether the people know it or not. Whether the people use the same language or not. We refer to God’s Kingdom as a “ranch” and point to John 10:9 where Jesus says: “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Gate. Pasture. It brings visions of an entrance to a ranch. A boundary of safety and security. A refuge. Jesus himself IS this promised land. IN HIM, we have everything we need. In this place, this ranch, this Kingdom…the judgment has been made, and he paid the price for all, once and for all. (2 Corinthians 5:15, 1 Timothy 4:10, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galations 3:13, 1 Peter 3:18). The work is done (John 19:30), and we sit with Jesus at God’s right hand, in all authority over heaven and earth. Death has been defeated, because of the blood of Jesus, bought and paid for on the cross, proven by his resurrection, and through the gift of the Holy Spirit who lives IN us, we now have that same power. The word “gospel” means “good story”, or rooted in the Greek word euangelion, it means “good news.” For me, I kind of like it described as this… “In ancient Greece and Rome, the word gospel was a military word that referred to a proclamation of victory by the winning army of a battle or a war.” Now think of that…the battle has been won. If we get to go tell people that it’s over, we are free…because of what Jesus did for us…now we are talking some REAL freedom. Not this “I’m in a club, say a prayer with me, and come and live by our rules kind of Christianity (Read Galatians).
So…we, like Jesus, are Outlaws to the religion that the world likes to set up. To the babylons and the idols and systems we humans by nature like to build. I am reminded of our brokenness every day I step into a round pen, or when I interact or observe a wild horse…who will not tolerate anything but authentic. The WORD exposes us, the law brings our death (2 Corinthians 3:6, Romans 7:10). But the SPIRIT brings life!!
So…are we a “religious organization?”
We are Outlaws to this world if we are following Jesus (John 18:36).
His Spirit resides IN us, we are free, we are loved and we believe. It is His brand, His Ranch and His life that we live. All for His Glory. Amen
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