|
Bikers For Christ International Motorcycle Ministry Charter
Purpose: In order to record for posterity and future reference, those
things about the Bikers For Christ Motorcycle Ministry which make it
unique & effective. To maintain the spirit and intentions of the original
ministry. To serve as a written guide of where we started, how to remain
rooted in where we are and to build goals for where we are going. To
always remain focused to and never forget that God is the reason for this
ministry.
We Serve God: BFC is a ministry that serves the God of the Holy
Bible, the only God, the Creator of the universe, the Savior and
Redeemer of mankind. We serve no other purpose, person, philosophy,
thing, government or power. Our dedication is solely directed to our
Lord; Jesus Christ.
We Ride Motorcycles: BFC is a ministry that uses the motorcycle as
a media to reach out to others. Motorcycling is the integral part of our
physical lives which brings us to those we are called upon to minister to,
and indeed is the thing that opens the door between our calling and the
rest of the world. We support motorcycling in it’s many forms, the
culture which has developed around it and the riders who are out on the
road.
We Support Our Government: While BFC is not politically oriented or
affiliated, we do acknowledge our allegiance to our country. We
encourage participation in government and civic duty, prayer and support
for our leaders. BFC will not encourage any actions which are contrary
to the laws of government, except where those laws are in direct
opposition to the laws of God.
We Support Our Families: BFC is a ministry which supports the God
ordained structure which is the basic family unit. We firmly
acknowledge that the priority for our lives must first include our spouse
and children and that they are our primary ministry. BFC will not support
any cause or movement which works to destroy the Biblically based
family unit, that is marriage between a man & woman. We also strongly
support the principle that children need as much time with loving parents
as possible in order to grow up as Godly citizens. This statement in no
way is to detract from the acknowledgment of those special gifted
individuals who are able to remain single and serve God fully in this
manner.
We Support The Church: BFC supports the local, historic, Christian
church. We strongly encourage every member and those we minister to
in church membership and continued participation. Nationally,
internationally and at each chapter level, BFC will operate in such a way
as to be accountable to a local church for our behavior and conduct. In
this way, BFC is not an independent organization or ministry.
Internationally, BFC is a ministry of and is accountable to our Churches.
We Support Other Motorcycle Ministries: BFC supports all other
valid Christian motorcycle ministries and their efforts in bringing the lost
into the kingdom. BFC will not act in any way which obstructs, injures
or damages the testimony or work of any other motorcycle ministry. We
are on the same side. This is not to say that we necessarily agree with
every other ministry or support their activities. These things must be
tested by the Word of God.
We Are Not In Competition With Anyone: BFC will not compete with
any other motorcycle ministry, club, gang, church or organization for
members, turf, territories, property, status or recognition. BFC, our
purpose, mission and materials have been carefully planned so as to not
antagonize other groups. For this reason, no BFC member may display
the initials “M/C” along with their back patch, nor wear a top rocker
which would indicate a region or territory.
We Are Not A Commercial Venture: BFC is strictly non-profit and will
not accept any paid sponsorship in exchange for advertising of any kind.
The purpose of BFC is not to sponsor products or services, endorse a
particular business over another or provide a vehicle for commercial ads.
Free will donations towards the ministry are gladly accepted however
BFC reserves the right to refuse donations from persons or organizations
which do not agree with our principles. Special exceptions can be made
where a Christian donates his/her work towards this ministry For Free
and deserves recognition or credit for their work (i.e.: web page designer
credits, newsletter graphics credits, etc...)
We Are A Free Ministry: In keeping with our Lord’s example, BFC will
not charge any dues, fees or levies in order for a person to participate
and become a member. In addition, solicitation for any such funds is
prohibited at both the national and chapter level. However BFC does
reserve the right to sell products and/or services in exchange for fair
compensation which is to be used to further the ministry. BFC also
reserves the right to charge reasonable fees for materials, reservations,
fuel, insurance, etc. which are necessary for special events.
Membership will not be contingent on the ownership of any salable
materials.
We Display “Colors”: As is characteristic of this type of ministry, BFC
produces and sells a back patch, arm patch and other materials with our
logo on it to members in good standing. No object, patch, shirt or other
product bearing our logo can be sold or distributed to a non-member,
other than items specifically designed as “support” items. Members who
are not in good standing (i.e.: backsliding, fallen away, resigned, in
violation of number four or the ministry requirements listed on the official
BFC application) cannot purchase or display membership materials.
We Have No Prospect Process: In BFC, we do not have a prospect
stage for new members. Applicants with a pastor’s signature are
immediately accepted into the BFC and have full privileges. A new
member may wear their full, 2-piece backpatch.
We Will Not Discriminate: BFC accepts all people regardless of the
following circumstances: Race, Creed, Color, Sex, Political Affiliation,
Christian Church Denomination**, Profession, Type or Brand of
Motorcycle*, Dress Code or Hair Style. BFC does however reserve the
right to refuse membership based on: Sexual Preference
(homosexuality), Non-Christian Church Membership (i.e.: JW, Mormon,
Muslim, etc...), Sin as described in our application or other issues
related to a person’s character, morals or ethics.
*Note: For the purpose of definition - motor-scooters, mopeds,
motorized bicycles and non-street legal dirt bikes do not qualify for BFC
membership.
**Note: Controversial, humanistic & non-historic denominations may not
qualify. This would include but not be limited to: Legalistic churches,
Churches claiming apostolic succession, United
Pentecostal Church, Word of Faith Movement, Some Vineyard
Movement Churches, Copeland/Hinn Ministry Churches, Some United
Methodist Churches which support homosexuality, etc...
We Support the Separation of Church & State: BFC is completely
non-political in nature and does not endorse any political agenda,
philosophy or candidate. We affirm each members’ right to vote and
participate individually in local, state or federal political processes,
however BFC must remain completely neutral in this regards. We
believe that churches & ministries as groups should stay out of
government and that by the same token, the government should stay out
of issues concerning the Christian faith.
We Support The Responsibility of Each Member For Their Own
Actions: BFC Chapel cannot and will not be held responsible or liable,
either directly, indirectly or consequentially for the actions of individuals.
Each individual is responsible for his/her own actions and the
repercussions that result from those actions. This particularly applies to
members who backslide, break laws, take action which can bring liability
or harm to BFC and it’s members or which are involved in accidents.
Motorcycle riding is by it’s very nature more risky than other forms of
transportation and each rider upon joining BFC must acknowledge that
ultimately they alone are responsible for their own safety - not BFC, or
any other BFC member. BFC is committed to a safe motorcycling and
ministry experience and every precaution will be taken to insure this.
However ultimately each individual must acknowledge their own
limitations and responsibility in this endeavor.
We Do Not Support By-Laws, Tri-Laws, or “Hype”: BFC operates
under the By-Laws of the churches which we are accountable to. We
therefore do not and will not have any By-Laws for overseeing this
ministry. In order for this ministry to be totally effective, each member
must have the freedom to act quickly according to the call of the Holy
Spirit as situations present themselves. We trust the Holy Spirit to keep
the membership in line and we do not wish to impede that work in any
way by imposing By-Laws on our members. BFC may institute
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) both at the national and local
level in order to conduct routine business in a consistent and
well-documented manner and to meet IRS and other legal requirements.
Chapter Autonomy: Each BFC chapter is autonomous to operate in
response to God’s calling as they see fit. The only requirement is that
each chapter conduct themselves according to the precepts put forth in
this charter AND under the authority of the local church to which they
are operated under.
Conclusion: This charter is put into effect immediately on this day:
March 12, 2000. It shall be maintained on file with the International
Administrator and will be made available to anyone who wishes to see
it. BFC reserves the right to edit this document.
Copyright 2000-2003
|