Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/1210680
Listen, if you want RULES, they are listed in our bylaws. If you want some application of those rules, review our MENTORSHIP series . And if you want to be as effective as you can possibly be, do all of the above and remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit. For some, there's that member that might really bother you. They don't do ministry like you would. They don't ride like you do. They don't prioritize the things that you do in the ministry. They go to "that other kind of church." Here are the questions you nee d to ask yourself before you get into a tizzy . • Do they love Jesus? • Do they manifest the fruit of the Spirit? • Do they demonstrat e a passion for this ministry? • How ARE they involved in ministry? • Where ARE they using their gifts and abilities? • Are you harboring ill feelings towards them? Diversity is both a blessing and a struggle. Our differences are good because together we comple te the mission of sharing the Gospel of Christ with those who ride. Obey the bylaws. Stay involved. Pay your dues. Love and respect your Black Sheep brothers and sisters. Whatever you bring to the table, bring it for the glory of God! 1999: How It All Started Marty Edward s I have told the story of Black Sheep's beginnings several times, but below is a shorter version that I sent to a HOG chapter who wanted to introduce our ministry in their local newsletter. Our e - Mag readers might find this version helpful as well. ~me I purchased my first Harley in 1999. I was the pastor of a busy church in Murrieta, CA and was in desperate need to "get away" on Mondays after being with church people on Sundays. My new Softail Heritage did just the trick! Little did I know what role this bike would play in my life in the very near future. After only a few months of riding, a young man at our dealership was killed in a horrible accident. He was the "shop boy" in our service department, loved by everyone. As a pastor, I did what any other p astor would have done; I went to the owner and asked, "How can I help." His melancholy response took me by surprise: "Pastor, this place is so !!@#%& - up, you can do anything you want." OK then. Still being new to the dealership, I didn't know many people , but I began to go from department to department (sales, service, parts, clothing...), introducing myself and expressing my condolences. I prayed with some while others brushed me off as "the religious guy." Funeral plans were already underway for the you ng employee, so that was the end of my sudden introduction to the dealership and Harley Owners Group. As the weeks passed, people recognized me as "the preacher" and some approached me with questions. One LOH gal told me that both of her parents were in hospice and asked if I would come and give them "last rights." I told her I didn't know how to do that (since I was not Catholic) but that I would be more than happy to come and pray with them. She liked that idea. Another couple approached me and asked if I would perform their wedding. I agreed and that was a lot of fun. One half of the congregation was from Orange County; suits and ties, nice dresses, BMW's etc. – and the other side was all bikers in denim and leather, who had already busted into the bee r. (I'd never performed a wedding like!) The (biker) groom began to weep a little as I read my notes and the bikers in the front row began to snicker at him. The groom then lifted his middle finger, as to wipe his tears, and in doing do "flipped off" his b uddies. It was a nice wedding. As 1999 was coming to an end I had become better acquainted with my HOG brothers and sisters. One of them, a Christian, said to me, "We need to take care of these people whenever we can." I agreed. A few weeks later, six of us (all Christians) road into my church parking lot (The Lamb's Fellowship) and my secretary said with a sarcastic smirk, "Oh look! Here come the black sheep of the church!" The name stuck, we organized and the rest is history. Today, Black Sheep: Harley - Davidsons for Christ (501c3) is present in about 40 US states, Mexico, Australia and France. We are simply HOG members who (when asked) are available to serve our fellow HOG members and other riders in any way that we can. HOG rules state, "No Religion! No Politics!" We couldn't agree more, so we're not here to preach, but when bad stuff happens and people need help, we're here. BSHDFC E - MAG FEBRUARY 2020 / PAGE 5