Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/1516776
Blessing A Bike Tom & Dee Sanchez Chaplain's Corner #22 As we move into March, the weather will be warming up. The bikes will be coming out of storage, especially in our northern regions. Miami, I know you all love this time and plan to put your bikes away in August when the temperatures and humidity reach triple digits! But for everyone else, the warmer weather brings us more opportunities to ride, and therefore, more opportunities to minister to riders. One of the common events that happens as the weather improves and people start riding again is the tradition of blessing the bikes. There are two important questions to answer when planning or conducting a bike blessing. First, why are you blessing bikes? Secondly, how do we go about this tradition? The first question is the most important, and it's one you need to answer for yourself and your chapter as you prepare. Is the blessing to connect with other riders in the area? Is it to share the Gospel? Are you hoping to introduce riders to Jesus...to the Black Sheep ministry or just to get them to think about spiritual things? The bike blessing has become an annual event for many riders. They seem to acknowledge a higher power – God, but they may not have a personal relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ. They want protection from the elements, cages, bad roads, and bizarre occurrences that might cause their iron horse to stop working or become damaged - not to mention that they don't desire to get hurt along the road either! So you will need to begin by understanding your purpose for a Bike Blessing before starting one. This will help to manage your expectations and language so as to become more fruitful and effective. I encourage you to spend a significant time in prayer before tackling the event. God has a way of orchestrating His own meetings when we submit to His leading! This leads to the next question: "How exactly do we begin our planning?" Here are some basic guidelines: *Be prepared! Have a card or script ready so you kno w what you're going to say. *Be cheerful! You will likely be working with other ministries or clubs, so smile and be approachable and friendly. *Consider those coming to the event: Is the blessing for an individual or a group? If you opportunities presents itself with an individual, take the time and to get to know the rider a bit. This is a time to calm your guest and start a relationship. *Keep it simple. Avoid Christian-ese! If anointing with oil, be careful where you put it. (Never on the saddle!) *If you blessing is for a group, get extra help. Helpe rs can move through the crowd while you pray. *Are you at a large event? Consider venturing out as groups of 2-3 or in several different groups. *It's best to approach riders just before or just after they get off their bike. "Hi! We're doing a mobile bike blessing. It takes less than 3 minutes and doesn't cost anything. Can we pray for you and your bike today?" *When you finish, ask "Is there anything else you'd like us to pray for?" We never know what might be going on in their lives. *Finally, give them your business card. They just might want to stay in touch or have more questions. For those reading this article, do you have a prayer prepared or a script that you like to use? Can you share it on social media or through email to other Black Sheep? Let's help each other by sharing our experiences – good and bad – as we reach out to the biker community for Christ. a