Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/1356166
It's Time - For A Change: Marty Edwards The ministry of BSHDFC began 22 years ago when a young man was tragically killed on his motorcycle in Temecula, CA. His name was Michael Butters, a 19-year-old shop boy who was employed at Quaid Harley-Davidson. As a local pastor and a brand new HOG member (in fact, it was Michael who delivered my first Harley-Davidson to my home), I responded to my local dealership and asked what I could do to help during this difficult time. The owner, Rich Quaid, responded to me by saying, "Pastor, this place is so messed up, you can do anything you want." Rich, as well as most of his employees, were deeply disturbed by Michael's death, as were the local HOG members. I proceeded that day to walk through the dealership, speaking to employees and customers in the various departments (sales, parts, clothing, etc.), talking with each of them, and praying with some. It was then and there that I saw a mission field untouched by the local church. A few weeks later I met Denney Coggins, a fellow HOG member and brother in Christ. Together we decided to keep our eyes on the 400 local HOG members by serving them and representing Christ. Little did we know back then what God had in store for this ministry. One day, Denny and I, along with others, rode into the parking lot of The Lamb's Fellowship, the church that I had planted and pastored for thirteen years. My secretary saw us, walked out into the parking lot to greet us, and said, "Oh look! It's the black sheep of the flock!" Within weeks there were five of us called, Black Sheep: Harley-Davidsons for Christ. Even though we made a lot of mistakes during those first few months, we grew quickly. Within two years, I would need to resign my position as pastor and raise financial support in order to lead BSHDFC full-time. Our ministry grew to 200 members within just a few months, with participants scattered throughout California and a few from states as far away as West Virginia. Twenty-two years have now come and gone and for months I have deeply sensed the need for change. I have served in some form of ministry leadership for forty-five years and recognize that I am slowing down. Black Sheep needs new leadership, a new vision, and new energy. About a year ago our board met for a retreat in Palm Springs and one of the questions I asked was, "What happens if I get hit by a bus tomorrow?" Not long after that, the board asked Lazaro Alba if he would consider becoming our next international president and after a time of prayer and deliberation, he agreed. Laz Alba has been a Black Sheep for 14 years. He has served as a chapter president, regional director, board member, and Director of Hispanic ministries. He co-founded the podcast, "Talk Is Sheep" and just recently started a weekly online prayer meeting for members - always looking for ways to better and broaden our ministry. (Laz has worked for the County of Los Angeles for 27 years, currently as an HR analyst.) After much prayerful consideration, I have decided it's time to prepare for retirement. I need to say that nothing negative has taken place. I have committed no grievous sins or felonies and nobody has lobbied for my resignation. I love this ministry and want the very best for it! I will be an active member of Black Sheep for the rest of my life. I am and will continue to be, by the grace of God, 100% wool. So, what's the process? What's the schedule? (1) I will serve as your president for the next 14 months. (2) Laz will slowly begin to take on more and more responsibility. (3) ILS will return to Southern California in 2022, where Laz Alba will be installed as our new president. (4) The Black Sheep offices will be moved to Hesperia, CA... (5) ...at which time I will move into a supporting role, serving at the pleasure of our new president. Change isn't bad. In fact, while we might not all enjoy change, change is often necessary for growth and health to occur. I've heard it said that "healthy things grow, and growing things change." This is such a time as that and I will forever be grateful for you and the ministry God has blessed in Black Sheep HDFC. I believe the best years of this ministry are yet to come. b Healthy Things Grow: Pastor Bryan Hardwick Have you ever noticed that healthy things grow? Plants, children, our emotional lives, our relationship with God, and even our relationship with others all grow. If these things are healthy, they are progressing, moving forward and changing. Growing Things Change: If it wasn't for change, we wouldn't have seasons! Or butterflies! In fact, we might still be living in the dark ages. As I look back on my life, I am grateful for change. Change in my preferences. Change in my attitudes. Change in my behavior. And even change in my clothing styles. You see, this is how we know things are growing. They change! Change Challenges Us: Mark Twain once said, "The only person that likes change is a wet baby." As humans, we like things to stay the way we like them. We are creatures of habit and comfort. After all, why mess with a "good thing"? But let's face it! What if the "good thing", could be better? The challenge that comes with change, is that it leads us into unknown territory. So we resist it. As humans, we prefer the path of least resistance. That's because change challenges us to make adjustments, take risks, and trust God for an uncertain future. Challenges Cause Us to Put Our Trust in God: Challenges cause us to dig deep and depend on God. Yet when presented with a challenge, many of us choose to remain comfortable, knowing that change may require something of us. You see, God knows exactly where to apply the pressure to cause us to turn to Him in faith. God wants us to grow in faith, and challenges force us to trust in Him. Trust Breeds Obedience: Remember that old hymn, "Trust and obey, for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey"? The antidote to fear is not safety and security. It has always been trust that leads to obedience. If we truly trust the Lord, He will reveal His will to us and show us what to do. Thus, trust breeds obedience. Obedience Makes Us Healthy: An finally, obedience takes trust! Trust creates expectancy! Expectancy breeds faith! Faith pleases God (Hebrews 11:6). In life, there will inevitably be something that forces us to trust God in a new way. And this is the great adventure of living with Jesus! b