Bikers For Christ members have restrictions - when it comes to wearing or displaying "support gear" from some
clubs, organizations, and other ministries.
We forbid any BFC member from wearing or displaying
any "support items" such as t-shirts, patches, bike or helmet stickers with the logo or name of any 1% motorcycle
clubs.
We must remain "TOTALLY NEUTRAL" with
regards to these organizations for many reasons. A few are noted below:
1) We are now an
International Motorcycle Ministry, with over 2,000 members in 49 states and 9 countries. The 1% clubs claim territories...
some of our members live in California (Hells Angels) territory. Other BFC members live in Texas (Banditos) territory, Florida
(Outlaws) territory, Pennsylvania (Pagans) territory, etc.
Some of the 1% clubs are literally
at war with one another. If a BFC member wears a support item - thenhas their picture taken, and its posted on the
internet or magazines, it could cause serious problems with rival clubs in other states that live near our
other BFC brothers and sisters in those states. Many of us (including Pastor Z) have friends and acquaintances in
a few outlaw 1% clubs, but to wear their patches, t-shirts, or put their stickers on our bikes - would actually
alienate us from ministering to bikers that are in the other rival clubs... so again, we must stay neutral.
2)
Some 1% clubs are involved in illegal or immoral activities. For a BFC member to wear their support gear - would send
a hypocritical message to others about how Christians are to view illegal or immoral activities. Not to mention the
message we'd be sending to young people, which would certainly appear that we are condoning and glorifying these types of
practices. We want to point people to JESUS, not clubs.
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We do not recommend wearing other club's support items either, as many non-1% clubs still think
that drinking, possibly drugs, adultery, fornication, etc. are all ok to engage in. So we really have to consider that it
all looks like we are condoning the above practices by wearing their support gear.
Some Christian
ministries can have some pretty strange doctrinal views or practices - so again... please pray about what types of support
things you want on your vest, bike, etc.
In closing, if you are a member of BFC, and (as a dual-member)
also belong to CMA, ABATE, MMA, or the COC - you may also wear their patch. Thank you for respecting this policy.
With
love and respect in Christ,
BFC Internation HQ
8/16/05
