I.
Fellowship: How to begin? Pray! Seek God's direction as
you would for any new ministry in the church. Settle for nothing
less than God's perfect peace and anointing. Motorcycle Ministry
in the local church can begin by scheduling fellowship events
for the riders that already attend.
Examples
would include, but not be limited to:
Meeting at the church for a Saturday morning ride together
for breakfast.
A.
Encouraging motorcycle riders to ride their bikes to church,
complete with riding apparel, and providing a special place
for bikes only parking. This could establish a "biker
friendly" atmosphere which will help visitors who ride
feel welcome and comfortable.
B.
Encourage riders in the church to bring their bikes to
other church functions. People are fascinated with motorcycles.
C.
Have bikers in the church sell or auction off rides to church
members to raise money for mission's projects.
D.
Meet at the church to ride to other motorcycle events in the
community.
II.
Evangelism: How to begin? Pray! Once again seek God's
direction, wisdom and anointing as you take this ministry
to the next level.
Biker specific events can be scheduled to begin establishing
a relationship with the motorcycle riders in your community.
Men and women already involved in fellowship activities may
be ready to take their fellowship rides to the next level.
Decide whether these events are intended to be evangelistic
outreaches or fund raisers. It is very difficult to combine
the two. One thing that really tears down walls that exist
between the church and the world is to not charge or accept
donations. It provides a perfect opportunity to explain "Free
Grace".
Biker
Sundays - Like any other special event at church, success
will depend upon individual involvement. Simply declaring
any given Sunday to be a "Biker Sunday" may not
guarantee success. Non church riders will come because they
have been personally invited by some-one in the church.
Encourage
church folks to dress casually for that service, provide special
parking and a free meal after church. Information is available
from Chaplain Fellowship Motorcycle Ministry on how to put
on a bike show or hold bike games. Share the gospel and provide
an opportunity to respond.
Bike
Show - A free bike show complete with free food and trophies
will attract local riders. Chaplain Fellowship Motorcycle
Ministry can provide information on how to best conduct such
an event. If your church is located on a main street or highway
in your community, the church parking lot may be a good choice.
If not, shopping center or supermarket parking lots are of-ten
available. End with a brief presentation emphasizing God's
love and forgiveness.
Hospitality
Tent - If your church is near a major motorcycle event
or on a heavily traveled rout to or from one, you may be able
to set up a tent to give out free coffee, ice water and snacks.
Evangelism material can be available as well as someone willing
to pray with any-one in need. Highway rest areas, motorcycle
dealerships, swap meets and bike races are all possibilities.
Permission is always needed. Sometimes you may have to pay
a fee to set up as any other vendor.
Bike
Blessings - This can be done in conjunction with other
events or as an event of its own. We're not really blessing
a machine, but praying for the rider and passenger. Ask if
there is anything specific you can pray about for them. If
someone invites you to pray with them about anything they
have opened their heart just a little to receive more of God
farther down the road.
Free
Bike Wash - This means free, no donations, no tips. Offer
them a cup of water or coffee while you wash their bike. Provide
and encourage them to read a short evangelism tract you have
ready. When finished offer to pray for them about anything.
Be prepared to answer their questions about "Why are
you doing this for free?"
Toy
Runs - A toy run is a motorcycle ride usually of less
than 100 miles with the intent of collecting toys for kids
around Christmas time. Bikers donate a new toy to be able
to make the ride. Free food is good. Some of the hardest bikers
have a soft heart when it comes to kids. What better chance
than to explain what Christmas is really all about.
Hospital
Visits - If you have a way of knowing about bikers who
have been in accidents in your area and have someone in your
church that can relate and is willing to make these visits,
incredible ministry opportunity is available.
Motorcycle
Riding Fellowship - Motorcycle riders within the church
who wish to identify as a group for the purpose of fellowship
and evangelism within the motorcycle community. The motorcycle
community, like many other sub groups within our culture,
has its own set of rules and protocol. Chaplain Fellowship
Motorcycle Ministry is available to help any church who would
like to establish a motorcycle ministry.
III.
Discipleship: How to begin? You already know this one.
Pray! Seek God's direction, anointing, wisdom, boldness, protection
and that the right leadership is in place to begin the next
step. Do you have men and women who are true disciples? Riders
in the church who are maturing believers with a love for motorcycles
and the people who ride them, with a desire to commit to more
than fellowship, more than an occasional outreach to the local
biker community? Jesus' disciples did more than just enjoy
His teachings and one another's company. They brought others
to Jesus. They were recognized in their community as disciples
of Jesus.
The
next step in motorcycle ministry is a core of committed riders
called to ministry to bikers, willing to become informed in
the rules and protocol of the biker world and ready to do
what ever it takes to bring unsaved bikers to a relationship
with Jesus. These individuals may be interested in becoming
a part of Chaplain Fellowship Motorcycle Ministry.