Bikers For Christ - Birmingham

n for this ministry. We Serve God: BFC is a ministry that serves the God of the Holy Bible, the only God, the Creator of the universe, the Savior and Redeemer of mankind. We serve no other purpose, person, philosophy, thing, government or power. Our dedication is solely directed to our Lord; Jesus Christ. We Ride Motorcycles: BFC is a ministry that uses the motorcycle as a media to reach out to others. Motorcycling is the integral part of our physical lives which brings us to those we are called upon to minister to, and indeed is the thing that opens the door between our calling and the rest of the world. We support motorcycling in it's many forms, the culture which has developed around it and the riders who are out on the road. We Support Our Government: While BFC is not politically oriented or affiliated, we do acknowledge our allegiance to our country. We encourage participation in government and civic duty, prayer and support for our leaders. BFC will not encourage any actions which are contrary to the laws of government, except where those laws are in direct opposition to the laws of God. We Support Our Families: BFC is a ministry which supports the God ordained structure which is the basic family unit. We firmly acknowledge that the priority for our lives must first include our spouse and children and that they are our primary ministry. BFC will not support any cause or movement which works to destroy the Biblically based family unit, that is marriage between a man & woman. We also strongly support the principle that children need as much time with loving parents as possible in order to grow up as Godly citizens. This statement in no way is to detract from the acknowledgment of those special gifted individuals who are able to remain single and serve God fully in this manner. We Support The Church: BFC supports the local, historic, Christian church. We strongly encourage every member and those we minister to in church membership and continued participation. Nationally, internationally and at each chapter level, BFC will operate in such a way as to be accountable to a local church for our behavior and conduct. In this way, BFC is not an independent organization or ministry. Internationally, BFC is a ministry of and is accountable to our Churches. We Support Other Motorcycle Ministries: BFC supports all other valid Christian motorcycle ministries and their efforts in bringing the lost into the kingdom. BFC will not act in any way which obstructs, injures or damages the testimony or work of any other motorcycle ministry. This is not to say that we necessarily agree with every other ministry or support their activities. These things must be tested by the Word of God. We Are Not In Competition With Anyone: BFC will not compete with any other motorcycle ministry, club, gang, church or organization for members, turf, territories, property, status or recognition. BFC, our purpose, mission and materials have been carefully planned so as to not antagonize other groups. For this reason, no BFC member may display the initials "M/C" along with their back patch, nor wear a top rocker which would indicate a region or territory. We Are Not A Commercial Venture: BFC is strictly non-profit and will not accept any paid sponsorship in exchange for advertising of any kind. The purpose of BFC is not to sponsor products or services, endorse a particular business over another or provide a vehicle for commercial ads. Free will donations towards the ministry are gladly accepted however BFC reserves the right to refuse donations from persons or organizations which do not agree with our principles. Special exceptions can be made where a Christian donates his/her work towards this ministry For Free and deserves recognition or credit for their work (i.e.: web page designer credits, newsletter graphics credits, etc...) We Are A Free Ministry: In keeping with our Lord's example, BFC will not charge any dues, fees or levies in order for a person to participate and become a member. In addition, solicitation for any such funds is prohibited at both the national and chapter level. However BFC does reserve the right to sell products and/or services in exchange for fair compensation which is to be used to further the ministry. BFC also reserves the right to charge reasonable fees for materials, reservations, fuel, insurance, etc. which are necessary for special events. Membership will not be contingent on the ownership of any salable materials. We Display "Colors": As is characteristic of this type of ministry, BFC produces and sells a back patch, arm patch and other materials with our logo on it to members in good standing. No object, patch, shirt or other product bearing our logo can be sold or distributed to a non-member, other than items specifically designed as "support" items. Members who are not in good standing (i.e.: backsliding, fallen away, resigned, in violation of number four or the ministry requirements listed on the official BFC application) cannot purchase or display membership materials. We Have No Prospect Process: In BFC, we do not have a prospect stage for new members. Chapters can have a "hang-around" period – so that they can get to know applicants, and applicants can get to know those in the chapters. During that time applicants may wear BFC Support gear. A new approved member may wear their full, 2-piece backpatch, and all BFC t-shirts and other gear.. We Will Not Discriminate: BFC accepts all people regardless of the following circumstances: Race, Creed, Color, S*x, Political Affiliation, Christian Church Denomination¹, Type or Brand of Motorcycle², Dress Code or Hair Style. BFC does however reserve the right to refuse membership based on: Non-Christian Church Membership (i.e.: JW, Mormon, Muslim, etc...), Sin as described in our application or other issues related to a person's character, morals or ethics. Some professions could be considered as a "conflict of interest". We support each member's right to vote, as they feel led by God to do so: BFC is completely non-political in nature and does not endorse any political agenda, philosophy or candidate. We affirm each member's right to vote and participate individually in local, state or federal political processes, however BFC must remain completely neutral in these regards. We believe that churches and ministries as groups, should stay out of government and that by the same token, the government should stay out of the issues concerning the Christian faith. We Support The Responsibility of Each Member For Their Own Actions: BFC Chapel cannot and will not be held responsible or liable, either directly, indirectly or consequentially for the actions of individuals. Each individual is responsible for his/her own actions and the repercussions that result from those actions. This particularly applies to members who backslide, break laws, take action which can bring liability or harm to BFC and it's members or which are involved in accidents. Motorcycle riding is by it's very nature more risky than other forms of transportation and each rider upon joining BFC must acknowledge that ultimately they alone are responsible for their own safety - not BFC, or any other BFC member. BFC is committed to a safe motorcycling and ministry experience and every precaution will be taken to insure this. However ultimately each individual must acknowledge their own limitations and responsibility in this endeavor. We Do Not Support By-Laws, Tri-Laws, or "Hype": BFC operates under the By-Laws of the churches which we are accountable to. We therefore do not and will not have any By-Laws for overseeing this ministry. In order for this ministry to be totally effective, each member must have the freedom to act quickly according to the call of the Holy Spirit as situations present themselves. We trust the Holy Spirit to keep the membership in line and we do not wish to impede that work in any way by imposing By-Laws on our members. BFC may institute Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) both at the national and local level in order to conduct routine business in a consistent and well-documented manner and to meet IRS and other legal requirements. Conclusion: BFC International Headquarters reserves the right to edit this document. Some professions could be considered as a “conflict of interest”. Edited and Ammended October 2009

¹Controversial, humanistic & non-historic denominations may not qualify. This would include but not be limited to: Legalistic churches, some Churches of Christ, United Pentecostal Church, excesses in the Word of Faith Movement, and Episcopal Churches, etc...
²For the purpose of definition - motor-scooters, mopeds, motorized bicycles and non-street legal dirt bikes do not qualify for BFC membership.