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The Christian Motorcyclists Association - USA country patch

Motorcycle Ministry Guidance

MOTORCYCLE MINISTRY GUIDANCE:
WHAT TO KNOW BEYOND THE SOUL-WINNING COURSE

A Christian Motorcyclists Association bike blessing acrylic painting by Jason Sharp, dated August 1, 2017

A bike blessing being performed in a parking lot

Providing hospitality to a gathering of bikers

This page shares unwritten, must-know guidance when interacting with and ministering to bikers--individuals, club (MC) riders and "1% club" (outlaw) riders.

As a member of the Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA) since October of 2000, I've been to many secular biker rallies and CMA national and state rallies where I learned from others about little-known guidance not in training manuals when interacting with bikers. It is important to factor the below information into your way of reaching bikers in order to: 1) prevent irreparable harm to your name and organization; and 2) make the most of a positive experience and prayer to the rider and their ride.

First, let us orient ourselves on what the heartbeat of CMA is according to this 7-minute video by founder Herb Shreve in the Spring of 1975:

Matthew 9:36-38 reads, "But when He [Jesus] saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion [meaning he had to do something about what He saw] on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, 'The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.'" This is the heartbeat of CMA: what we see has moved our hearts and caused us to do the things we're doing today.
--Herb Shreve

We are not ambassadors for CMA--we are ambassadors for Christ. CMA is one organization to open that door.

MINISTERING AND INTERACTING WITH THE 1% MOTORCYCLE CLUBS (MC)
One of the most valuable lessons is how to minister and interact with "1%'ers"-- the "outlaw clubs" who received that designation when the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) declared 99% of bikers are law-abiders and safe riders. Non-intuitive guidance includes:

Never give out your chapter members' names/numbers; if asked, pass the requestor's info to whom they're asking for
Never immediately commit a "yes" to a request -- say "let me check on it" and get back to them
Don't "throw names around" of their club's members to sound important and networked
Never touch a club member's patch/rockers when patting them on the back until you get their permission
Never take pictures of a club member or their ride without their permission
If you initiate a relationship with a club (which we always should), do so at peer-level, such as chapter president-to-president...not, say, CMA non-officer member to club president
When taking your vest off (or taking another's unattended vest) into your car, neatly fold the vest with "colors up" and place on your lap, because for some clubs, their colors are their god;
If taking your vest off in public, place it out of sight, such as in the car or bike trunk -- do NOT place over your windshield or hang on your handlebar

Know that it is possible anyone who sees that (including your own club) may take it to their club's leadership who will return to your leadership (which actually shows a sign of respect by that MC of how much they value others' colors in addition to their own)
Don't condone or condemn anyone's actions at any event/rally
If invited to an evening party or concert, it is best to reply with "kind regrets" as the night is the time for riders of faith to go home

EXAMPLE BIKE BLESSING (BB)
Performing BBs is an art, yet some things are standard to ask and say. However, keep in mind the underlying theme of greatest importance is the prayer of salvation for the lost riders to become saved.

Here is my personal method, once you establish a basic connection at individual and group (e.g., 3-4 bikes at the same time) level:

Ask for their names and their needs both for their ride and themselves
Ask if they have requests for any family, friends, their MC, etc.
Ask if they know Jesus as their personal Lord, Savior and Friend and, if not, would they like to take the prayer of salvation
Lay hands on them and their ride(s) and begin the prayer
Begin similar to, "Your Word says where 2-3 are gathered together, Jesus is in the midst of us right now--His arms around ours, listening and loving..."
Go into each need, citing the name of the requester
- If it's a medical need, cite that Jesus is the "Great Physician"
Ask that God bless each rider (and family) in all five areas of life: mental, spiritual, physical, social/family and financial
Ask that He be a part of all the plans and visions the rider has for this year so they can have successes and victories beyond their dreams
Thank Him for this encounter and already starting to answer their needs in His perfect way
Ask for a blessing on all riders at the event and safe travels home
...And don't forget to give them a BB sticker, if your organization does that

MOTORCYCLE MINISTRY GUIDANCE:WHAT TO KNOW BEYOND THE SOUL-WINNING COURSE

This page shares unwritten, must-know guidance when interacting with and ministering to bikers--individuals, club (MC) riders and "1% club" (outlaw) riders.

MINISTERING AND INTERACTING WITH THE 1% MOTORCYCLE CLUBS (MC)

EXAMPLE BIKE BLESSING (BB)

MOTORCYCLE MINISTRY GUIDANCE:
WHAT TO KNOW BEYOND THE SOUL-WINNING COURSE