Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/1303633
Staying Focused From the BSHDFC National Board In 1999 Black Sheep HDFC was born out of a felt need to create a motorcycle ministry for the largest motorcycle riding group in the world (Harley Owners Group) who were in most cases overlooked by the Christian motorcycle community. The popular opinion seemed to be that HOG members were not "real bikers" and therefore not as seriously in need of spiritual care as club members . HOG members were given condescending monikers like "motorcycle enthusiast" or "RUBS" (rich urban bikers ). The underlying message was that "RUBS" or "citizens" didn't need a ministry as much as the stereotypical hard - riding, hard - drinking, hard fighting bikers . In 1999, the founding members of BSHDFC determined that EVERYONE needed Jesus and that the Black Sheep would be the ones to focus on HOG for no other reason than that no other nationwide ministry was doing so . There was , however, a variance provided in the original bylaws to include "all American v - twins" (Indians, Victories, etc.) since the ethos of these riders was close to and appreciated by most Harley riders. (Who doesn't love a class ic Indian C hief?) It's been more than twenty years since those first bylaws were written. The Indian m otorcycle manufacturers of that day have come and gone as has Victory. With the newest Indian M otorcycle C ompany , there has come a renewed respect and appreciation for Harley - Davidson's number one competitor for a hundred years. Black Sheep even offered an alternative patch (something totally unheard of in motorcycle club circles) reading, "American v - Twins For Chris t" ( instead of "Harley - Davidsons for Christ" just to make Indian and Victory riders feel more welcomed ). In addition to this new patch , a renewed effort to reach non - Harley riders was and still is underway , embracing riders from all Harley - Davidsons (inclu ding the "Livewire"), Indians, Victories , custom choppers and bobbers housing an American V - Twin motor (i.e. Rev Tech, S&S, etc) . On October 8 th , 2020 the Black Sheep corporate board met and discussed at length questions and issues surrounding the name of this ministry and the alternative patch es . Black Sheep's acceptance and promotion of non - Harleys does not seem to be enough for some members . It has been suggested that we change our name from Black Sheep : Harley - Davidsons for Christ to a more inclusive Black Sheep Motorcycle Ministry (BSMM) . It has also been suggested that the " American v - T win " patch alternative does not go far enough , asking for additional patches identifying the brand name of their bike . It has also been proposed that BSHDFC consider b roadening our ministry beyond HOG to reach out to other riding groups supporting Honda and BMW. The BSHDFC board concluded unanimously to return to our original vision and roots. We are Black Sheep: Harley - Davidson for Christ and after twenty years are st ill in less than 15% of the Harley - Davidson dealerships in America. How can we justify expanding to other riding group s when we are already spread so thin ? We encourage our Indian and Victory riders to seek out and support like riders and dealerships who s ponsor a riding group. The board also concluded, " Those currently wearing the American V - Twin patch may continue to do so for as long as they like , but no other American V - Twin patches will be made or sold. " We enthusiastically welcome "all" American V - t wins and encourage them, when not riding with HOG or the local Black Sheep, to reach out to the riding groups supporting their brand . The board acknowledges that some will be disappointed by this news while others will be relieved to squash rumor s that Bl ack Sheep was about to go metric. The motivation of the board is not (nor has it ever been) brand loyalty or motivated by "numbers," but is focused primarily on Harley Owners Group who ha s been largely overlooked by other Christian motorcycle ministries. T here are still hundreds of thousands of HOG members that we have not met. We believe that by being laser focused on this mission we will be more effective. We encourage our members who ride Indians or Victories to join us in our general outreach efforts while not neglecting opportunities to reach out to their own brand specific groups and events. Critics of BSHDFC often declare, "Jesus loves more than HOG members ! He would have reached out to everyone!" Of cou rse He does and we are sure God has many motorcycle missionaries who share the burden to reach all bikers for the sake of the Gospel... (Christian Motorcycle Association, Last Disciples, Bikers for Christ, Warriors of the Cross, Soldiers for Jesus, Hell Fi ghters, Sons of God, Honor Bound, Chariots of Light and many more!) ...but even Jesus was limited by time and resources when He came. His ministry lasted only three years and He didn't venture more than (depending on who you ask) a few hundred miles from h ome; though He did indeed walk many more miles than that!