
Mission
Riders for Jesus is a Christian Motorcycle Ministry whose mission is to glorify
God by promoting fellowship, spiritual growth, group rides, and service to
the community at large. The service activiteis shall not be limited to teh
cycle community and shall not be limited to service while on cycles.
As a large Christian group, it is normal that there be varying interpretations
of certain scriptures, but an agreement should be reached on certain basic
beliefs in the Bible. The Beliefs Statement shall express our basic beliefs
as a group and shall be signed by each member. At a time when a current member
finds themselves in disagreement with the Beliefs Statement they shall voluntarily
remove themselves from the minstry and shall be free to seek a group of like
mind.
Activities
- Service functions to the cycle community
- Service functions to the non-cycle community
- Group rides
- Monthly meetings
- Prayer for member needs
- Spiritual training, encouragement and evangelism
Membership Requirements
- You must be a Bible-believing Christian and must be a member/consistent attendee
of a Bible believing Christian church.
- You must have a desire to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
- you must make a covenant before God, yourself and us that you will not engage
in drunkenness, use illegal drugs, or participate in illegal or immoral practices
(including crude language or swearing), or sowing discord as a member of this
ministry. You must not let others wear your colors or do anything to discredit
Christianity or your brothers and sisters in Christ. If you are discovered
participating in any of the above practices, or if you leave active membership,
we will ask for the patch back. If your patch privileges are revoked, we will
hang it up for you and hold it until you get things straightened out. No money
will be refunded. We ask you to be honest with yourself, God and us in these
matters.
- Purchase the official Ministry patch to be displayed on back of vest, or
jacket after a 6 month probation period.
- New members shall be required to attend 3 rides, or 3 meetings within their
6 month probation period.
- Sign agreement with the Beliefs Statement and Conduct Statement.
- Members shall not be required to own a motorcycle.
- Maintaining the beliefs and conduct as specified in the official statements.
- There will absolutely be no yearly/monthly dues. Funds required will be acquired
by voluntary collection at the meetings.
Conduct
Each member is expected to conduct themselves as spcificed in the Conduct
Statement. If it becomes apparent that a member is struggling in this area
the officers shall approach the member with this conflict. If an agreement
is not reached, the officers (not the members at large) are responsible for
the discipline or removal of the member. The integrity and witness of the group
shall take priority over any individual member. Upon forced resignation of
a member the remaining members shall take a special offering to purchase the
item of clothing displaying the patch from the removed member. Any members
voluntarily resigning from the ministry will not be made the purchase offer.
Meetings
Meetings shall be held a minimum of once a month but attendance by members
is not mandatory and lack of attendance shall in no way be held against a member.
We are a ministry offering "opportunities" for fellowship and service and not
requirements.
Officers
- President - The President shall be responsible for the leadership of the
group. At his choice he may appoint others to be on committees or serve individually
to help with the responsibilities of the President. The President may choose
to facilitate the monthly meetings or may ask the Vice-President to perform
the function.
- Vice President - The Vice President's responsibility is primarily to support
the President in his absence. Upon agreement with the President the Vice-President
may facilitate the monthly meetings as part of his regular duties. Upon the
resignation of the President the Vice-President may choose to move up to President
or may choose to reamin in his current position.
- Road Captain- the Road Captain is responsible for planning and directing
group rides or for directing others involved with these activities.
- Treasurer/Secretary - The Treasurer/Secretary is responsible for all monies
collected as well as dispersed.
- Chaplain- The Chaplain is responsible for duties or activities related to
spiritual training or encouragement.
(When starting a new chapter the initiators should assume the roles of the
officer positions. After the first year from the start of the chapter officers
should be elected by the members. Current officers may be re-elected if desired
by the membership.)
Headquarters
The Headquarters for Riders for Jesus will be based in Luverne, Alabama where
the founding chapter is located. The officers of the Luverne Chapter will also
serve as national officers as needed.
Colors (Back Patch)
- The ministry colors may only be worn by active ministry members.
- All ministry patches must be obtained from the Luverne Chapter.
- New Chapters must make an effort to contact leaders of the motorcycle community
in their area to explain what the ministry is about.
- We are a ministry within the motorcycle community and intend to work with
other ministries within that community.
- Ministry colors should be worn at service functions as a witnessing tool.
- The display of colors can only be worn on vest or jacket. (T-shirts and other
clothing can be worn with the emblem, but must show in support of Riders for
Jesus.)
History Unfolds Under God's Sovereign Care
We believe that Jesus Christ is Lord of all. Good works do not save us, but
good works are a sign of a true Christian. A believer in Christ strives to
do good works out of gratitude to a holy God who has saved us by His loving
grace. This affects our view of history and every discipline of life. We believe
that Jesus is king and we are his servants to bring every area of life under
his supreme role.
The True Body Takes Many Forms
We believethat the body of bleivers takes many forms and is not exclusive
to any one denomination or sect. Potential members that are committed to
beliefs of exclusiveness are encouraged to seek a gropu of similar beliefs.
Unity among our cycle ministry body is of paramount importance and will not
be compromised.