Bikers For Christ, Ventura County Chapter

Bikers For Christ Charter

The following is why the Bikers for Christ - Ventura County Motorcycle Ministry is unique and effective. Bikers for Christ - Ventura County always remains focused and never forgets that God is the reason for this ministry.

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County, Serves God:

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County 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 and Savior Jesus Christ.

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County, Rides Motorcycles:

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County 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 its many forms, the culture which has developed around it and the riders who are out on the road.

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County, Supports Our Government:

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County is not politically oriented or affiliated, but we do acknowledge our allegiance to our country. We encourage participation in government and civic duty, prayer and support for our leaders.

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County 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.

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County, Our Families:

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County 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.

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County will not support any cause or movement, which works to destroy the Biblically, based family unit, which 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 detracts from the acknowledgment of those special, gifted individuals who are able to remain single and serve God fully in this manner.

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County, Supports The Church:

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County supports the local, historic, bible teaching Christian church. We strongly encourage every member and those we minister to, to become a member of a bible teaching Christian church. Bikers for Christ - Ventura County will operate in such a way as to be accountable to Pacific Coast Church of Camarillo, CA, for our behavior and conduct. In this way, Bikers for Christ - Ventura County is not an independent organization or ministry.

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County, Supports Other Motorcycle Ministries:

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County supports all other valid Christian motorcycle ministries and their efforts in bringing the lost into the kingdom. Bikers for Christ - Ventura County will not act in any way, which obstructs, injures or damages the testimony or work of any other motorcycle ministry. We are on the same side. This is not to say that we necessarily agree with every other ministry or support their activities. The Word of God will test these things.

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County, Not in Competition:

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County will not compete with any other motorcycle ministry, club, gang, church or organization for members, turf, territories, property, status or recognition. Bikers for Christ - Ventura County's, purpose, mission and materials have been carefully planned to not antagonize other groups. For this reason, no Bikers for Christ - Ventura County member may display the initials “M/C” along with their back patch, nor wear a top rocker, which would indicate a region or territory.

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County, Not a Commercial Venture:

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County is strictly non-profit and will not accept any paid sponsorship in exchange for advertising of any kind. The purpose of Bikers for Christ - Ventura County 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 Bikers for Christ - Ventura County 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 free of charge and deserves recognition or credit for his/her work (i.e.: web page designer credits, newsletter graphics credits, etc...)

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County, is a Free Ministry:

In keeping with our Lord’s example, Bikers for Christ - Ventura County will not charge any dues, fees or levies in order for a person to participate and become a member. However Bikers of Christ - Ventura County does reserve the right to sell products and/or services in exchange for fair compensation, which is to be used to further the ministry.

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County 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.

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County, Display “Colors”:

As is characteristic of this type of ministry, Bikers for Christ - Ventura County wears a two-piece back patch. Only members in good standing can wear any Bikers for Christ - Ventura County logo.

No object, patch, shirt or other product bearing the Bikers of Christ - Ventura County 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 on the application or the ministry requirements listed on the official Bikers for Christ - Ventura County application cannot purchase or display membership materials.

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County, No Prospecting:

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County has an interview process only. You can read about the process in the join section of the Bikers for Christ - Ventura County web site. Once a new member is accepted into Bikers for Christ - Ventura County they may purchase and wear their 2-piece back patch and purchase any other Bikers for Christ - Ventura County merchandise.

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County, Will Not Discriminate:

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County accepts all people regardless of the following circumstances: Race, Creed, Color, Sex, Political Affiliation, Christian Church Denomination**, Profession, Type or Brand of Motorcycle*, Dress Code or Hair Style.

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County does, however, reserve the right to refuse membership based on: Sexual Preference (homosexuality), Non-Christian Church Membership (i.e.: Jehovah's Witness, Mormon, Muslim, etc...), sin as described in our application, or other issues related to a person’s character, morals or ethics.

*Note: For the purpose of definition - motor-scooters, mopeds, motorized bicycles and non-street legal dirt bikes do not qualify for Bikers for Christ - Ventura County membership.

**Note: Controversial, humanistic & non-historic denominations may not qualify. These would include but are not limited to: Legalistic churches, Church of Christ, Churches claiming apostolic succession, United Pentecostal Church, Word of Faith Movement, Some Vineyard Movement Churches, Copeland/Hinn Ministry Churches, Some United Methodist Churches which support homosexuality, etc...

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County, Supports the Separation of Church & State:

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County is completely non-political in nature and does not endorse any political agenda, philosophy or candidate. We affirm each members’ right to vote and participate individually in local, state or federal political process. However Bikers for Christ - Ventura County must remain completely neutral in this regard. We believe that churches & ministries, as a group should stay out of government. Likewise the government should stay out of issues concerning the Christian faith.

The Responsibility of Each Bikers for Christ - Ventura County Member:

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County can not 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, and take action which can bring liability or harm to Bikers for Christ - Ventura County and it’s members who are involved in accidents, etc..

Motorcycle riding is by it’s very nature, more risky than other forms of transportation and each rider must acknowledge this upon joining. Bikers for Christ - Ventura County members must acknowledge that ultimately they are responsible for their own safety - not Bikers for Christ - Ventura County, or any other Bikers for Christ - Ventura County member.

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County is committed to a safe motorcycling and ministry experience and every precaution will be taken to insure this. However, ultimately each individual must acknowledge his or her own limitations and responsibility in this endeavor.

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County, Do Not Support By-Laws, Tri-Laws, or “Hype”:

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County operates under the By-Laws of Pacific Coast Church, which we are accountable to. Bikers for Christ - Ventura County therefore does 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 memberships of Bikers for Christ - Ventura County in line and we do not wish to impede that work in any way by imposing By-Laws on our members.

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County may institute Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in order to conduct routine business in a consistent and well-documented manner and to meet IRS and other legal requirements.

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County Chapter Autonomy:

Each Bikers for Christ - Ventura County member is autonomous to operate in response to God’s calling as they see fit. The only requirement is that each Bikers for Christ - Ventura County member must conduct themselves according to the precepts put forth in this charter AND according to the authority of Pacific Church in which the Bikers for Christ - Ventura County Chapter is operated under.

Conclusion:

This Bikers for Christ - Ventura County charter is put into effect immediately on this day: February 17, 2003. It shall be maintained on file with the Bikers for Christ - Ventura County Elders and will be made available to anyone who wishes to have a copy.

Bikers for Christ - Ventura County Chapter reserves the right to edit this document.