Two by Two: Trust a Brother Till You Can't.

There are many Scriptures that talk about the 'two by two'  concept. That you can go out with another man to minister, because when one falls, the other can pick him up. That's wisdom. Especially if for instance you know you have a drinking problem, and you're going to be exposed to temptation to drink, use that wisdom. Building boundaries by having another brother with you to keep you accountable is wise.

Some Christian motorcycle ministries would say you must abide by this rule, and in fact have it in their bylaws. We do not, and here is why.

1. I trust my brothers. They are men of God, guided by the Holy Spirit. Until they give me a reason to, I believe they are capable of ministering in the darkest valley.

2. If a man falls, each charter can put a restriction on that brother. At the local level a charter can agree that brother so and so needs to not be going out alone to clubhouses for a certain amount of time etc. There is no need to add a national or global restriction to the bylaws.

3. Many relationships are built one on one. We build relationships in the MC community. Nuff said.

4. Its not practical. Many times a brother may live far from other brothers. He still needs to be going to clubhouses. A new charter may have just one guy, he still needs to be gong to clubhouses. Those are just two examples but there are more.

5. Each of us have the ability to use wisdom. If I know I'm going into an environment where I'll be tempted, if I know I'm at a spiritual low point, I can ask a brother to go with me,and should. You're a man, use discretion.

I don't always need another rule to direct my actions. Discretion is the better part of having to legislate each bit of morality expected in a Disciple.

So no. There is no two by two rule here. Unless it's on a case by case basis after a particular brother falls.

James Disciple Johnson
Natl President and Founder
Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club

Road Names in a Motorcycle Club

Posted by Disciple P-Nut
Natl Road Captain
Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club

Road names:

Let’s talk about them for a second. What is a road name? It is a moniker bestowed on someone as a reminder of an event or trait that was impactful and meaningful whether funny, serious or otherwise.

Road names are bestowed by your brothers and throughout club history there will be road names that come and some that go. Some will stay, some will change. Some will never be given and some will have multiple. But, like the patch, they should be earned, not just tossed about haphazardly or brought in from another organization.

This is a young club, but with a very rich history. This is a history that should be pivotal in your journey. You should have researched who we are and what we do prior to pursuing membership. And while pursuing membership, learning it should be second only to your spiritual development. I say that because I see guys scrambling so hard for road names and they don’t even understand the significance of what they are, where they come from or how they are earned!

You know names like Bigbeard, Sumo, Jester, Eagle, Kickstand, Spike, Freebird, Quickdraw, Warhammer, Gonzo, Retrow and so on. They are indelibly etched because of the personality, persona, commitment and sometimes the story and longevity of the bearer…and they are still here. But, many influential, profound and no less impactful men still don’t bear a road name… James Johnson, Bill Wyatt, Randy Burns, Rick Lucas, Jim Lovegrove and more.

There are also road names that have impacted this club in MANY different ways that you may or may not know about, but they are etched into the archives of who we are as a club and building the legend of the 888...both good AND bad...Knuckles, Lockdown, Loudmouth, Viking, Eazy, Snakebite, Rundown, Honor, Clippers, Yup Yup, Preach, Orale, and more.

So when you come up to me and others as a new supporter or hang around and introduce yourself with a road name and I have never heard of you before, maybe this can help you to understand why I look at you funny. If you tell me you got a road name because you sat down and thought about it with someone else, I am going to laugh at you. When you come from another organization (as many of us have) and try to bring a road name with you, I will not call you that. If you should happen to leave this organization after having the privilege of being given a road name, I will no longer refer to you by that road name because it’s meaning was attached to something we no longer share (good, bad or otherwise).

The long and short of what I’m trying to say is this...Road names have meaning to the club and its members. People have meaning to the club and its members. Road names bring history and color to the stories told around the dinner table at Hoffa’s, Sheely’s, the 24 hour burrito joint, Chickadee's, the church meeting room where we crash, Thursday throwdown, the testimony time at the run, the solemn moment at the graveside, Drift weekend, the quiet stretch of highway when we fall back in the pack to contemplate, etc. Brothers impact you forever...good, bad and otherwise.

So, you think you have been here long enough to earn that road name? You think you have a story that matches up to the tales around the campfire? When someone speaks of you does everyone else ask, “Who?”

Earn your name. Etch your memory into the brotherhood. Become part of the legend of the 888. Have a meaningful impact on those around you. Love with a passion second only to Christ’s for his bride. Build bonds deeper than those sitting in a foxhole in the middle of nowhere. Walk with integrity. Cry with your brother when he hurts. Laugh with him when he laughs. Be there when no one else is. Go to the ends of the earth without hesitation just because….Then, and only then, will your name (given or road name) make a lasting impression on the brotherhood!

Much love.
Disciple P-nut

Editorial Note from the Founder

In my experience, road names originally were a way of hiding your identity as you were out doing dark deeds.

If you're introducing yourself to me, use your name. You can add your road name if you like, but that isn't who you are and I won't be able to connect you to it based on your online profile or perhaps the background check I read about you.

I've seen men desperate for a road name, and charters having conversations about what to call so and so. Forget that. You don't need a road name. We arent doing anything illegal here, you don't need to hide your identity. Be who you are. Road names are more often a moniker your can't escape than a super cool way to introduce yourself...

James Disciple Johnson
Natl President and Founder
Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club

Honor and Gallentry

Gallantry. Honor. Have these words lost their meaning? I was raised in the South, I was given history books with pictures like these. They bring back the gentle charm of Charleston and Savannah, in times long past, and also in times like today, where Southern things are a bit different than the rest of the fast-paced world. I was taught by Daddy that honor meant saying yes ma'am to a woman, protecting her, treating her as the genteel sex, asking her if she needs help, opening doors, and even doffing your cap was a requirement when I was a kid. Have we lost this in the feminist movement?

I remember opening the door for a model in Los Angeles one time, she got a sour look on her face and said that she didn't need a man to open the door for her and refused to walk through that door. Something in me wanted to slam it in her face and say ok b****. But I simply said yes ma'am and kept going.

The only way to bring back a lost art, is simply to do it. And to teach it to your sons and the men around you.

I haven't always been that guy. It's been tempered with brutal and harsh things that I was taught later in life. But the longer I live in the South the more I want to hearken back to that. Women and children first, we call them honey and sweetie. We offer to help people, we never pass an old white haired lady on the side of the road, we help her load groceries into her trunk from the cart, we offer to take the cart. We help the mom of the screaming toddler load up her stroller and groceries too. We stop to help at accidents, change tires for strangers, pay the extra dollar for the person in line ahead of us when they come up short, and say God bless you.

This is honor. This is gallantry. This is being a man. And if daddy didn't teach you, take this lesson from me and apply it. When they try to give you $5 in return, refuse it with a gentle word. The smile on that person's face, the blessing they give you when they say God bless you, the little bit of kindness it costs you, will let you know you are honorable, gallant, a man of substance, even if you have nothing else, that's Something. And God will repay it.

James Disciple Johnson
Natl President and Founder
Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club

http://disciplecmcblog.blogspot.com/2016/08/honor-and-gallentry.html?m=1

What is DCMC?

Prospect Mark Leibold
Redemption Crew

When I joined DCMC I had some thoughts.Wouldn't it be cool to be different than everyone else that I know.Out there riding with colors on my back.  A bonifide sticker.Showing the world that I am about something.  I am going to be someone.  Something.  Different.  This is going to be fun.  It's exciting and cool and shiny. 

I've seen a few things now........seen a few people leave.  No one that I knew for real thankfully.  It hurt me though.  I had a few phone calls and online conversations with some of these men.  Now they are gone.  Their names faded to gray on the Facebook pages. 

I've seen the withering stare of the National President and founder James Johnson.  I think I also caught a glimpse of the weight he carries....  In a meeting at 3am he called me by my first and last name......it meant something to me.  I've had the experience of sitting with Disciple Freebird at a restaurant and being asked my name over and over to the point of not knowing what was going on.......then he handed me Hangaround patches......I felt honored.   That night I gained a road name.....Slipperz.......I've built with my bros, Disciple Homer, Disciple Hawk, Chris, Darren, PB,  Knuckles and Oral, in our prospective charter.  Been to some club houses.  Seen broken people acting fine. 

Welcomed back a member who had quit before I joined.  I had his hangaround patches on my chest.  Interestingly enough I sewed his new set onto his cut for him just a couple weeks ago.  It seemed like full circle.  I prayed for my Bro Marty when he went down during a run.  Saw the pictures of his broken body.  Prayed more.  Felt helpless.  I've read the posts about drug abuse and addiction and commitment issues and.......hope. 

There are so many experiences I didn't expect.  I laughed until I cried at the National Run in PA with bros and their wives late at night.  I slept in my inside out Cut in a steaming hot room.  I sang O Canada at the top of my lungs standing on a picnic table with my Canadian Bros and then repeated the event standing on chairs that night in the meeting where I cried when Disciple Eagle handed me my bottom rocker and MC cube.  I said my eyes were sweating but I was crying. 

I met Disciple Big Beard and shook his hand.  He said he felt like a Rockstar.  He is a Rockstar.  I like that guy.  I talked to Slim.  I met Disciple Shun and listened to stories that were being told by Disciple Peanut and Disciple Soap.  I met guys like Sparkplug and Lookout and Chris and Enrique......I helped Disciple Barry unload his broken bike from his trailer.    I rode in the dark with Disciple Everywhere. He told me to eat hot sauce on crackers.....and I did.  And I liked it.   I could go on and on and on.  In fact maybe I just did.

I didn't know I was going to see mens hearts and there heart for God so clearly.  I'm afraid that I have been infected and affected by this club.  What if someone I need to be here quits? What happens if more than what I can give is expected of me?  What happens if I am disciplined and it hurts too much? What happens if I chose a bad attitude and do something stupid?   I didn't know what I was getting into. I didn't know it was going to be such a deep experience.  I didn't know reading my Bible was going to make my life harder.  I didn't know that there was going to be those good things and hard things.   Prayer, worship, fasting.....sowing. 

What if joining this club changes my whole world.......What is my point?My point is that I think it has changed my whole world.  If you have joined this club be careful.  It isn't safe.  They are going to make you do things that will change your world.  If you don't want your world to change don't stay here.  I was told to tighten my seat belt because it was about to get real.....my bike doesn't have a seat belt......I have only seen a glimpse.  This club is anything but shallow.  For that I am thankful.  Thank you Lord for Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club and the men that are in it.

If this is just the beginning....

Club Peaks & Valleys

From: Disciple Kickstand
Setman 43 Roughneck Crew

Read Ecclesiastes 4:8-10

Breaks my heart to see people losing sight of the mission.  I've noticed that when I hear or see individuals express disillusionment with the club and it's purpose, it's because that individual "can't see the forest for the tree in front of them".  The current problems or feelings about the club get in the way of seeing what God is actually doing on the whole thought the Black and Gray Nation, which is bigger than any one charter or clique of men.

Peaks and Valleys.  This is the natural rhythm of life, for individuals, for charters, for leaders.  The effectiveness of our ministry and tightness of brotherhood will ebb and flow.  Every charter, heck even national leadership, goes through these periods of peaks and valleys.

And during these rhythms I have seen men and women's perceptions of the club ebb and flow with it.  When everything is clicking and people are being reached, all is well with the brothers, times are good... the view of the club is sunshine and rainbows.  Then we hit a valley where struggle and attack, and difficulties lie... and then the club has lost its way, the brotherhood isn't right anymore, the leaders are false prophets, etc.

But we are not called to let our hearts and attitudes be tossed around like a small boat in the storm!  We are called to remain steadfast (1 Cor 15:58).  When ever Jesus was in a boat with the disciples and the waters were dangerous and frightening, he rebuked them for freaking out and not seeing the bigger picture. They were with the Messiah, no matter how bad or rocky things got in that boat his mission was going to be fulfilled at the cross, not cut short by capsize. We need that! We need to see that whatever storm were facing it is not big enough to derail the mission that God ordained. 

Get some perspective and fear not. While things might be rough in one local charter, things are thriving and on point in another.
The club is never just "on" or "off" in regards to its mission.  It's constantly growing and shrinking, thriving and struggling, under God's rebuke and blessing, all at the same time. The charter that's a desert today will be the shining example of growth and vibrancy tomorrow and potentially vice versa... but its all gradually moving forward and gaining ground as an entity.

It's a big concept to grasp, but people in the club need to be taught that.  I know personally for me, that concept pulled me through a desert time, and disillusionment with the purpose of DCMC.

How did I see past my own charter's valley enough to realise that the club was not only experiencing success as I was seeing the brotherhood around me crumble and the mission slip?

The answer is with deep ties to men in other charters both near and far.  Seeing and hearing the wonderful breakthroughs the organization was having in Newfoundland for example, showed me that the mission and heart of DCMC was not lost.  The club was as strong as ever and if we in my charter remained steadfast in our position, diligently walked through our valley, we would rise out of it... and we are.

I challenge you all, when times are good, to establish relationship with the men of the club from coast to coast. Prepare yourself and your charter for the inevitable valley by building the bonds of brotherhood abroad and not just in your charter now... and when your valley comes you will have those men to lend you that perspective, that snapshot of the club outside your circumstance and see that the mission and vision not only remain, but are actually as strong and effective as ever.

This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing. Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.
Ecclesiastes 4:8-10 NLT

Disciple Kickstand
Setman 43 Roughneck Crew
Canada First Few
GOD IS GREAT 888!!!

My Man's Joining Disciple , What Do I Do?

Ladies, the first thing you need to know is that this is a Christian organization, and God has ordained the family. We want you to be involved! We are proud to have a Epic Marriage Ministry, and a Fatherhood Ministry. So what are you, the new chick on the block, supposed to do, and not do? When are you welcome to attend with him? How can you get involved in this radical new direction in your mans life?

1. Support your man. During the process of joining Disciple, your man is going to put a lot of time in. He's going to have to go to club houses, make runs with other clubs, put time into phone calls and meetings with the guys in his charter, and other states. I can promise that the process of becoming a Disciple is going to make him a better husband and father, and a better man of God. But that process is going to take up your valuable time with him, and the time taken can strain your relationship. Without your support, he'll be torn between his process of becoming a better man of God, and time away from his family. Your support will mean all the world to him, your understanding when he has to be gone, your willingness to travel with him, and your prayer that the enemy not come against him and distract him during this time will be invaluable.

2. Come on baby. Your man should say this to you a lot. We want the women to be involved, we want you to come out on the ride, we want you to come out to the event, you might have skills, abilities, things to add, and we're looking for that! Your willingness to travel along with your man, cook meals for the brothers, give us a place to stay when we're in from out of town, those things are sowing into the ministry! Yes we do have private business meetings, only members are allowed in those meetings. But those are rare. Most of the time, we'd love to have you along. Even at these meetings you're welcome to organize a separate ladies time as well.

3. Be flexible. The men are big on having a start time and end time. But men are NOT big on plans and itineraries. Be ready for things to change up because the Bros decide all the sudden that they want to go do something else. Be ready to go to the hospital when an accident happens. Be ready for your man to disappear to go and get the broken down motorcycle. Be ready for unexpected things to happen. If your husband is a prospect, there might be duties and responsibilities where suddenly he disappears on you for a little while. Be ready to hang out with the other sisters and brothers while duty calls.

4. Give me space. On that note, there may be weekends where your husband is primarily working, rather than spending time with you. This is especially true on a national run. Your man might spend his whole entire weekend running from one place to the next, fetching things for the brothers, fueling up motorcycles, cleaning up messes, cooking food. Wherever you can help him out, please do! But expect that there will be times where he's more focused on his duties as a prospect than on his wife who's also along with him. During these times reach out to the other brothers and sisters and build relationships. Don't feel like a third wheel just because you don't know people yet.

5. Put yourself out there. During the process of becoming a Disciple your man is going to meet a lot of people. So put a big smile on your face, and get ready to meet a lot of people too. Disciples from your charter, Disciples from other charters, men from other clubs, even big scary biker dudes from 1% clubs. Make a point of meeting the other women who are around, shaking hands, smiling, exchanging numbers if you have a good conversation with a lady, become Facebook friends. This too is ministry. There are a lot of hurting women in the biker world, who have experienced terrible things and need the non-judgmental love of Jesus.

6. Join the 43 Sisterhood. We have a hidden space for the ladies to congregate online. Joining this page gives you access to hundreds of women who just like you have gone through the same process. They are available to pray with you, give advice, welcome you and encourage you! There may also be a Sisterhood page for your specific charter. Your man can help you get connected with The Sisterhood. This way you already built relationships with ladies across the country, and around the world. When you meet them face-to-face at a run you already feel like old friends! To help identify yourself, get a ladies support t-shirt and a round support patch for the front of your vest. You get major points when we see a new girl show up already repping the black and gray!

7. Fear not! There is nothing scary about DCMC. We do go in some scary sounding places, but the fact of the matter is we know when and where to take you, or not take you. Quite frankly you're generally safer at a motorcycle clubhouse than a mall nowadays. The bikers from other clubs are just as liable to protect you as I am. This is when wearing Disciple gear will help identify you as ALREADY TAKEN, and others will know to watch out for you. Nothing bad is gonna happen, we roll with Jesus, and He protects you!

8. Keep your mouth shut. Now comes time for the hard stuff. Gossip is bad. Don't do it. If you are hearing gossip, have a concern or need clarification, talk to your man, to God, or to the leadership admins on the sisterhood page. Discussing club business is bad Bad BAD for you, and the club. Disciple is a motorcycle club. You may see other clubs do or say inappropriate or illegal things. Silence is golden, if in doubt, check with your man. We welcome women along for the ride, to be part of what we do! But voting privileges only extend to male full patch members. This is a Brotherhood, your man may discuss things with you, and that's okay if he does. But you need to realize not to take those discussions outside of your home. You are not here to criticize how we do things verbally or on social media, tell us your view point about how things should be done, or stir up people against God's club. We have a God-ordained process built through experience and prayer. You may not understand everything that happens, but you can be certain that God is in control of this organization. If you have questions, you're free to ask your man, and if he has questions he's free to ask his leadership. But at the end of the day you may not understand everything that happens, or agree with it. Just know that it's necessary for the good of the organization, and is bringing men closer to God.

9. Discipline happens. We have rules and accountability. Your man may be disciplined, you might get shut down if you step out of line, you may see other men disciplined. You may not understand why someone got yelled at, prospected, or forced to do push-ups. And the fact is, I'm not going to tell you why I disciplined someone else, that's their story. And if they have a big mouth, they might spread their side of that all over, but it's only one side. Politely stop them and tell them you don't gossip, they need to take it to God. You may not agree with everything, let's face it, women do things differently than men. At the end of the day, talk it over with your man. There is a process for him to elevate a complaint all the way through his local, regional and national leadership, all the way to me in fact. But that's not your job.

10. Finally, just be here! Despite all the complications, know this,  WE WANT YOU HERE. Women are gifted at things men despise. Planning, itineraries, shopping, cooking, helping, sympathizing, hospitality, prayer warrior duty, and MANY MORE things. We need your help! Despite all the aggravation and complications you may experience in a big group of loud individuals, you make Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club better! Please be as involved as possible, as we work together to Disciple your man to be the best man of God he can be!

James Disciple Johnson
Natl President and Founder
Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club

It's Not Man's, it's Gods

"It's the men's club!"

This statement originated from someone who's not even in the club, and it has begun making the rounds in the club. I disagree. I think it's terrible statement. This is God's Club. The reason we've had the success we've had, is that we toil diligently to not be the ones making the decisions, to not be running this club according to our own personal whim. We place things on the Altar and pray about them, we seek the will of God, because it's the only way to have success.

Unfortunately I've seen this statement used to somehow exclude women and families. Let me be clear, my wife rode right next to me to the events when we started this club, my six year old daughter put on 10k miles riding to events with me our first year. My wife and family have hung out in 1% clubhouses with me.

Yes, we only patch men with a three-piece patch, yes business meetings are closed to only the membership, no women don't get a vote. But beyond that women and children and the families are welcomed at everything we do. In fact they invariably make things better, with their attention to detail, desire to have itineraries, and their ability to plan and prepare. You know, all the things we hate to do anyway. They take the load off the men, and put in work. At appropriate times I've never had a problem taking my daughter into a club house, or my wife, they're probably safer there than at the mall. Some events are not appropriate so they don't get taken along, but thats rare.

I remember when women started getting widely involved, and it was wonderful. I think of the Saskatoon sisters who cook an amazing breakfast, and the best cinnamon rolls in the whole world. I think of our women ministering to one percenter women, praying with them, building friendships with them. I think of Reb's wife on the side of the road in Pennsylvania, an experienced emergency room nurse patching up my brother Drifter when he went down. I think of Big Beards wife next to her man, or about teasing Shank when she wouldn't let Squirrel put his 1952 Ironhead chopper in the living room, and the tears running down the face of Scooters wife when her pastor describes the difference in him because of Disciple. I've heard many tearful testimonies from the ladies about how the club saved their marriage, and those moments are what inspire me to fight on in ministry.

The ladies are welcome,the kids are welcome. The 43 Epic Marriage page is awesome. The 43 Fatherhood page is awesome. We call to and mentor men on these things because the family is ordained by God. And they should never be excluded from Disciple. Leaders need to identify when wives are welcome, when families are welcome and when they aren't, and communicate that in advance. Women need to know they are responsible to watch kids they bring, not their husbands or others.

We are learning to welcome and focus on The Sisterhood, to provide expectations and guidelines for the ladies. And that starts with you at home, making sure your wife knows we're not hiding anything from her. It starts with the leadership making sure that the bros know their wives are welcome at events. Its making sure that women know they can reach out to the women in the clubhouse and provide a safe relationship where those women can turn in their time of need.

Club business is Club business, and each brother is responsible to make sure his wife understands that she doesn't have a vote, that this is a Brotherhood. But it's not a men's club, it's God's Club, and God ordains the family. The best way to keep your wife happy is to involve her in what happens, shield her from the drama, keep her from entering into disputes about how the club is run. But make sure she knows she has a wonderful worldwide Sisterhood of women who she can turn to when she needs help, advice, or prayer.

I involve my wife and her wonderful God given intuition in every decision I make about Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club. She's always been there as a coach, she is a co-minister in what God has given us to accomplish. I can share with her because I know from experience that she doesn't get involved in drama, that she's not going to be out there running her mouth about club business. If you don't have that same confidence about your old lady, then you need to keep things away from her when it comes to how the brothers run the club.

Finally consider this. If a prospect has put in a year to get his full patch, it's changed his life and turned his world upside down. And did the same for his bride. And she's just as proud for him to get his full patches as you are,  probably. Which means she should have the opportunity to see him moved up. In general I see no reason for a ceremony where the women don't get to see their man earn something that is life-changing for both of them. You might want to prospect to be committed to the club, but he has a covenant commitment before God with his wife. And I guarantee he loves his children more than his brothers. Respect that, cuz it's the way it should be.

Welcome your woman to events, make sure that she knows that she's a priority in your life. Make sure that she doesn't resent the club because she's not allowed to be around the club. And make sure she knows this isn't man's club. It's a family thing. It's God's Club.

James Disciple Johnson
Natl President and Founder
Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club

The Sharpening of the Brothers

I'm going to speak allegorically for a while because I believe y'all can handle it. My job in the Kingdom requires that I carry a sword, a shining sword that reflects the sunlight like a mirror. It is a large and heavy sword, it's difficult to wield, and it's a real pain to carry. But when I heft it properly it's an incredibly dangerous weapon in the Kingdom. I think of it as a Scottish Claymore, large, heavy, people shake their heads and wonder how the hell I can carry that thing around.

Quite frankly, at my position at the head of legion, my job is sometimes simply to carry the sword high above my head so everyone can see the Sonlight reflecting off of it like a blazing light. Sometimes simply the sight of the sword, the fact that someone has the guts to carry it, inspires other men to rumble up and roll out to the fight.

Because I'm at the head of an army, and I'm carrying such a large sword, the enemy sees it as a threat. They reckon if they can take me down, If I stumble and fall, others will mock me, mock my calling, mock my King . So the stones and arrows come fast and thick. I have at Shield of Faith and I'm able to hide behind it a lot. But not all the time. When time comes to wield the sword, I must put down the shield, and that's when the attacks come thickest. I rely on my armor, and the men around me with their Shields, to make it through these difficult times.

When I swing the shining, sharp sword it has a incredible effectiveness. Heads roll, and enemies run, the foes of the Kingdom fall out of the way. Sometimes I swing my sword against the enemy's battering rams, and it becomes dented, dull, ineffective, black with blood, and shines no more. At these times, sometimes I sit down, depressed, overwhelmed, unable to continue swinging an ineffective weapon. Or at least it feels ineffective. At these moments there's only one answer, time to sharpen the sword!

Sharpening the sword is a process. When it's dented it can't be sharpened until the King comes to heat it and hammer it true. And hammer he does. It's incredibly painful to hold the hot sword over the fire while the blood burns off and the King is hammering on it. The shocks and reverberations go through my hands and forearms, already weary of holding the sword and swinging it, now being hammered by the King.

The king cannot allow me to fight with a dented sword. He cannot allow others to see that his servant is ineffective, and broken. He hammers the metal and heats it, he beats on it and treats it, for only when it's brought back into true line can it be sharpened.

The Kings plan is that the sharpening is left to my brothers. They come in and point out the dull edge of the sword, and how the mirror finish that reflects the Sonlight is blackened by the fire I've been in. They talk, criticise and comment, and it's painful, but true.

They begin to work their sharpening stones against it. Each one has a different stone for a different purpose, some coarse to remove scars and chunks, some fine grit to bring out the razor edge. Sometimes sparks fly. Sometimes I don't want to be sharpened, I'm so weary of battle, weary of getting hammered on by the King , but without my brothers, who carry the sharpening stones, my sword is ineffective.

At times I shout for them to leave me alone, to let me lay ineffective, weary exhausted and depressed, and forget that I even have a sword. What would be life be like if I went back to being a peasant in the Kingdom, wouldn't it be simpler not to be a warrior?

But my brother's never let up. Sometimes gentle, sometimes harsh, sometimes they weary of sharpening my sword and walk away, leaving the army to fend for itself. But slowly in the firelight, the black steel is buffed into its shining self. Slowly it begins to reflect the flames like mirrors, slowly it becomes the great Claymore, ready to be raised as a standard, worthy of being held up before the army, and leading into battle. Without the painful hammering of the King, the painful sharpening of the brothers, this sword would be useless, as would I.

In this process, sometimes we are tempted to push the brothers away, and say that our sword is plenty effective, it can still be used to injure the enemies, it can still be used to batter and break, if not slice and shape. In fact, this is why our army is so ineffective. We field a legion of men who nurse their swords as though they were babies, refusing them to allow the King to hammer on them and bring them true, refusing to allow the brothers to sharpen them. When one Fell Swoop should slice off the enemy's head, it only bruises him, a dented dull weapon no better than a club.

My personality is such that I hate the sharpening of the brothers, I recoil from it, you dare to question me? And yet The Secret Of The Shining sword, with the reflection like a mirror, is the sharpening of the brothers. For there is no mighty warrior who walks alone, in this Kingdom.

So here is to the brothers who sharpen my sword. Who watch the King hammer on me, who stand beside me in flame and furor, who hold their shields close to me. Without you, there is no sword.

James Disciple Johnson
Natl President and Founder
Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club

Wait, Fasting is Secret! Why are You Talking About It?

When I teach on fasting and the changes its brought in my life, invariably someone points out Matt 6:1 "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven", and suggests that fasting must never be mentioned.

But I imagine when the Israelites in the Old Testament and Paul in the New Testament called large public fasts, they also taught on why the public fast was necessary. When we teach others about good things, it's not to look super spiritual, it's in hopes that they too can have the wonderful light of Christ in their life!

Matthew 6 talks in terms of fasting being something Jesus expects us to do. Check it out:  16“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

I believe it's good to discuss fasting with our spiritual circle of believers, to "spur each other on to acts of love and good deeds" Heb 10:24. Of course we don't wear an "I'M FASTING"  t-shirt, or announce it as we walk through Walmart, but there is nothing wrong with sharing the experience with our Sunday school class or close friends.

Fasting is personal crucifixion of the flesh, guided by the Holy Spirits prompting. And sometimes that prompting comes from His servants!

Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

James Disciple Johnson
Natl President and Founder
Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club

We weren't born God's gift to the world, but we're darn well called to be!

"How will we ever grow if James keeps running men off?" A guy now long gone, asked Retrow six years ago, when there were only three of us. And it hasn't changed today. He had it wrong though. I don't run men off, I'm just UNCOMPROMISING in who I allow to run in my circle. And the leaders I've raised up are also uncompromising. And you're here today because you see how deep the men are that we've attracted, molded, and retained.

It wasn't by chance, it was a choice to weild the pickaxe, pound the hammer, dig and beat the junk out of the coal to expose the diamonds. We don't just accept anyone, anyhow they choose to act. Mold, train, teach, push, polish and chop, it's not easy being in the Disciple spotlight. Why? Because we want the real deal.

We will leave the sweeper clubs to come along and vacuum up our waste. If you're not ready to be accountable, transparent, moldable, then you're not ready for real ministry. And yup, each of Jesus disciples had to go through the same thing, go through a process to get where they needed to be.

We weren't born God's gift to the world. But we darn well are called to be. And on the road to pushing men to their destinies, we are destined to be pushed to ours.

So here's to the pushers who pushed me. Here's to the uncompromising God who never let's me get away with anything. Here's to the faithful men who make it through the fire, and allow the Potter to mold them. Here's to the men who realize, it wasn't by mistake we became this amazing organization. It was grit, hard work, digging deep and being willing to let God, and His servants, make a difference in our lives, so we can make a difference in others lives!

James Disciple Johnson
Natl President and Founder
Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club

"I had never fasted before... "

"I had never fasted before...."
Thats how a lot of amazing stories I hear from people start. I teach on fasting a lot, because of how powerful it's been in my life. In fact I can't think of any other biblical way to crucify the flesh than fasting. Quite literally.
So what is the biblical definition of fasting? Skipping food we enjoy out of respect for God. This includes the total fast eating and drinking absolutely nothing, or the water only fast where drinking water is allowed, or the meats and sweets fast listed in the Book of Daniel where he only ate vegetables and bland foods. This last one is particularly good for diabetics or folks who may have issues with not eating at all. Consult your doctor. In these cases not eating, combined with a nutritional drink may be appropriate.

They fasted in the Old Testament, and the New Testament. They fasted privately, and corporately together in a group. You can find corporate fasts in the Book of Esther, or the book of Acts, where they would publicly call a fast. Jesus fasted, Paul fasted, Paul wrote that husbands and wives should separate themselves sexually for a time of fasting and prayer. From the beginning of the Book to the end of the Book fasting was a major portion of a relationship with God.

Why did they fast? Out of repentance sometimes, out of wanting God to act in their circumstances sometimes, out of asking for directions before laying on of hands for leadership, there were certainly many different reasons people did fasting in the Bible. And each time God would react, and provide what his people needed.

Daniel chapter 10 and Isaiah 58 provide fascinating studies on fasting. Daniel 10 reveals how the spirit world reacts to fasting, angels and demons at War because Daniel was fasting. Isaiah 58 says that God will cause light to arise in the darkness, that He'll guide you continually, these are the kinds of things I'm expecting when I'm fasting.

While fasting maybe corporate together as a body of Believers, it's not something we brag about, or complain about. Matthew 6:16 warns against doing it to be seen by people. You're doing it to be seen by God. However it's wonderful to share stories about what happens to you when you're fasting, among the body of Believers you're fasting with. Sometimes it's these stories, combined with the scriptural truth, that causes others around you to begin to participate in the discipline of fasting.

There are many other things you can fast from as well. Facebook, social media, TV, tobacco, drugs, I've gone on all these kinds of fasts in my life as well. But the only scriptural and biblical meaning of fasting is abstaining from food.

I encourage you to apply the Bible to your life in this area, and to share your story with me after it happens. I've never known someone to involve themselves in the discipline of fasting without having an awesome story of what happened as a result. Want to hear more from the Father? Shut down the flesh and you will!

James Disciple Johnson
Natl President and Founder
Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club

Picture Posting Guidelines!

I'm going to give guidelines for how supporters and up can post pictures of themselves with a full-patch. 

First of all it is a core belief that it's important for us to be able to share cool looking pictures on social media to gain followers, and advertise our presence to potential members. Therefore it's intrinsically important that cool looking pictures of us riding in a pack, or various people standing next to us such as supporters and hang around in group pictures, be shared on social media. There is a prohibition on posting pictures of a patch you haven't earned, but this is more for new supporters not to make their profile picture our back patch. 

Accordingly if we take a group picture, a prospect, hang around or supporter in the picture should be able to share the picture on social media, and not be restricted from doing so just because one of us has our patch visible. Remember that we're not a 1% Club and we don't need to always follow their guidelines in everything, it shouldn't be if an old lady takes a picture of the group of us that she can't post it for fear of her husband getting yelled at, nor should we miss out on the opportunity to share epic or iconic images of our organization like a bunch of Brothers riding in the wind. So here's my direction:


1. Feel free to post group pictures of Disciples riding, or standing together.
2. Group pictures are defined as pictures we know you're taking, for instance if a group of us is out riding or staring at a camera, as opposed to sneaking in and taking a picture of a secret meeting, or pictures of us when we aren't looking and didn't authorize it.
3. If you appear in a picture, and a full patch is visible, that's okay to post. Because you appear in the picture.
4. You can share a picture from a full patches page. You're clearly sharing somebody else's post so that's okay to do as opposed to posting as if it's you.
5. A RIP picture of a fallen Disciple with his cut.
6. If a full patch feels a certain picture is inappropriate be gracious in asking for its remove, and explain why as well so it's clear.
7. And of course... No pictures with 1%ers, support gear, or their support clubs.

James Disciple Johnson

Natl President and Founder

Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club

Your Lady is Important to the Mission Too

This is a story about the sisters in the motorcycle clubs. Once upon a time I was an young single Enforcer who may or may not have been at war with another motorcycle club. I knew the Warlord who was my counterpart in that club, and his ol' lady. When the war was over we became great friends. One day he and I were shooting pool in my clubhouse when I realized that the dandruff I was scratching out of my hair onto the black felt of the pool table was crawling around. He proclaimed that I had a bad case of lice, no surprise since I was a filthy dirty long haired biker. "Brother," he declared, "you're either gonna have to shave that hair off, or let my ol' lady take care of that." So he made a call to her and we hopped on our motorcycles for the short ride to their place. She met us at the door with a trash bag. "Strip!" she commanded and I did, placing my filthy clothes in her trash bag. "Underwear too." I guess I looked uncomfortable and her old man laughed at me and told me I better do what she says.

She washed my clothes, sent me I to the shower with a bottle of lice soap, then spent the next few hours with a nit comb working on my head. She was the old biker mama type who had raised kids, her own and otherwise, and none of this was new to her.

This simple act of motherly kindness has burned brightly in my memory for decades now. I was a lost young soul with no woman, no family, nothing but a Harley. Even though they were in a different club, they took care of me, and I even lived in their house for a while. Now I don't expect your lady to see me naked, shower me or handle my lice, it's an illustration of an extreme act of service. But I do have a question. 

How is your lady involved? Is she here to help, or gossip. Is she selfless and giving or is she bitter for anything she's called on to do? Does she show up to sow into the event or is she there to sell Amway to the other ladies? Are you teaching her the selfless values of service and ministry we envision and live? Are you communicating that there is a place and a part for her too? Or is this your club, and she's not really welcome? Does she know the hurt and pain the women in the clubhouse have been through? Is she equipped to pray over them on the spot like you would for their old man? Are you equipping and preparing her? Would she pull lice our of a brothers hair? From another club? Does she understand what a great role the gentle kindness of a gracious woman can play, or is she nervously hanging around he edges because you haven't given her direction?

I've seen big differences in the charters. I've seen charters where the women don't show up at all,  and charters where the women are engaged, out riding with us, manning the prayer tent (or maybe womanning it?), out in the clubhouses, engaging me in conversation when I'm in town, asking me the questions they always wanted to know about the club, telling me tearfully their husbands testimony, feeding us, and furthering the mission.

What are you doing to let her know how important she is to the mission?

James Disciple Johnson
Natl President and Founder
Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club

They Keep Watch Over Your Soul

Hebrews 13:17; Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account.  Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

Men, obeying our leaders and submitting to them, is a difficult text to speak on because of our culture and direction most of us have come from. Our culture is anti-authoritarian and postmodern, and both ideas militate against obedience or submission. 

Not sure how many of you have heard the term, Counterfeit Leadership.  The responsibility of a leader is to lead.  And those appointed under these leaders will support them without consignation.  This means, all below will raise up those appointed above and obey and submit where necessary.  The Greek words for “obey” and “submit” mean to obey and submit!  The difference, if any, between the two words is that obedience implies going along with direction or commands, whereas submission involves an attitude.  You can obey outwardly while seething with anger on the inside, but you aren’t submitting.  Submission implies a sweet spirit of cooperation that stems from trust.  You trust that the leaders have your best interests at heart, and so you go along with them.

God has constituted various levels of authority under His ultimate authority.  The purpose for all authority is to protect and bless those under authority.  God establishes the authority of Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club to protect and bless the God-filled Christian men called to this MC from those that would harm or take advantage of them.  While James Johnson and the National leadership do their job's, the enemy are kept at bay, and the members of this MC can dwell in peace and continue to pursue our mission statement. 

This flows down to all state charters.  Just like in a church, James Johnson with guidance from God has appointed State Presidents and all officer positions (shepherds) to oversee the flock (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:1-4).  They are not to lord it over the church, but rather to be examples to the flock (1 Pet. 5:3; 2 Cor. 1:24).  On every level, those in authority are never in absolute authority.  Every leader will give an account to God!

When is the church/MC responsible to obey and submit?  Obviously, when the leaders teach God’s truth, especially on the essential doctrines and commands of the faith, we all must submit.  It is not the leaders’ authority, but God’s, that we must submit to.  If it is an area where godly Christians may differ, we must give grace to one another to disagree.  But submission to godly leadership would require that if you disagree on a secondary matter, you would be disobeying God to lead this MC.  There needs to be a respect shown toward the officers of those who has God appointed.  Paul wrote to Titus (2:15), “These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority, Let no one disregard you.” To disregard Titus would have been to disregard God, whose word Titus preached.

I hope many of you will take to heart two simple applications.  First, prepare your heart for ministering within this MC by taking some time during the week, to pray for our leaders at each level. Pray that your heart would be open and submissive to God’s Word. Spend a few minutes reading the Word and praying on it.  Pray for the effectiveness of Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club and those whom are touched by it.

Gary Hippy Glover
Salty Few Crew

God's Club

During a question and answer session this weekend a prospect with previous motorcycle club experience asked me "James, is this your club, or our club?"
The question made me chuckle because I understand it so well. It may well be that he's been burned by the actions of the leaders of a previous club.

But the answer is simple. This is God's club. I can't take any of the credit for the dramatic and amazing explosion of growth of Disciple Christian MC, and neither could that prospect, even if he gets his patch, or anyone else. This is not an endeavor for man to control or take credit for.

How is it God's club? Simple, we pray before we act. We take time to consider situations and pray over them. We ask the Holy Spirit to guide us, and the other leaders of the club. I can give many example of amazing supernatural intervention in the path of this club, too many to count.

The simple truth is, God wants to change men. He wants to intervene in their lives, strengthen their relationships with Him, touch their families, and mend broken hearts. He wants to reconcile them to Himself. And He uses this club, and the men in it, to do it.

Trying to possess this club, and make it mine, or ours, would be putting flesh in control rather than the Spirit. Ive found that it's very important to God to be able to reach people,and the moment His servants start serving themselves, and taking control away from Him, God tends to deal with them, or just plain move them aside.

Remember that we may put in work, but it's God who builds. And just like anywhere else in life, the builder owns the house.

If the Lord does not build the house, the work of the builders is useless; if the Lord does not protect the city, it does no good for the sentries to stand guard.  It is useless to work so hard for a living, getting up early and going to bed late. For the Lord provides for those he loves, while they are asleep.
Psalm 127:1-2 GNT

An Ecumenical Club

The foundation of this club is that we are an ecumenical organization. That means we accept people from all denominations of the Christian faith, Baptist, Catholic, Pentecostal, Lutheran, Word of Faith, doesn't matter. The second Foundation is Unity, we do not have divisions and arguments on our internal web pages. End of story. That means if somebody else is a Catholic and you think Catholicism is of the devil, you don't get to mention it on this page. If you want to have a face-to-face conversation with them you can. But if it's a doctrinal debate, it doesn't belong on our pages.

Respecting the traditions of others is vital. I know Catholics who are far more devout and spiritually followers of Christ than certain Charismatics, and vice versa. I also know Catholic Charismatics. Jumping into vitriolic 'I'm right and you're wrong' is neither helpful nor kind. What to you is an evil heresy might simply be a misunderstanding on your part. It may also be wrong, but Internet arguments solve nothing. Seeking to understand others in their walk, seeking common ground is far more useful. Especially if your goal is to accomplish change. And all of that requires personal interaction. 

Go look a fool and argue on someone else's page. Or better yet, learn not to have what  Paul calls useless debates. 

The Christian faith is splintered enough already. Christians point fingers at each other, Christian's push each other away through debates enough. Not here. Our pages are to uplift, edify, and support.

James Disciple Johnson
Natl President and Founder
Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club

When National Comes Rolling In

When National comes rolling into your charter, its important to put your big boy pants on. We arrive with 48 hours to teach you the Disciple Way. That means in a very short time, literally everything you may have thought about Disciple might be critiqued, and you might be asked to change: from how you ride in the pack (never ever pass the front left bike), to how you introduce yourself, to how you talk (cussing is not appropriate), to how you drink alcohol in front of me (dont ever ever do that), to the location of your patches.

If you take offense to things easily, you will not learn the lessons you are being taught. You will wonder why we are so militant. You will eventually leave the club saying we take things way to seriously. The truth is, its because we want you to look good, but more importantly, we want you not to look like a fool when you are in front of the other charters, or even 1%ers.

So, be sure to have your antenna up, listen closely, answer honestly, don't attempt to BS us, learn quickly, and for goodness sake be diligent, polite and calm as you are being taught. Because we are looking to excise pride and anger issues, and they will become the focus of the weekend.

ACCOUNTABILITY BROTHERHOOD

I've been cussing too much the last few months. Some happenings have caused me to take my focus off of heaven, and put it on earth. And if there's ever anything that'll make you cuss, it's the things that happen on Earth.

So I'm working to fix that, but I can't do it alone. I need God, and I need you.

First and foremost I have to focus my attention on the things that are happening in heaven, focus my attention on my Daddy, and Jesus. Daily Word and prayer time, daily worship time, filling my mind with music that fills my mind with the spirit.

But let's talk about accountability. You should never let me get away with cussing in front of you. You should never let me get away with drinking in front of you. You wouldn't be cool with me showing up and smoking pot in front of you would you? You wouldn't be cool with me showing up with some girl on my bike that I'm not married to would you? So why would you let me get away with cussing? We're not in this club tell dirty jokes to each other, we're not in this club to accept each other's faults, we are in this club to push each other further.

That's right, I'm giving you permission to shame me if I screw up in front of you. Let me know, in love, that it's not okay for me to act out in front of you. Just because I'm your brother doesn't mean that you let me get away with things! Brotherhood in the world is accepting someone no matter what they do, brotherhood in the church is helping each other get closer to the cross.

A tool the devil uses, is to make you act like it's okay when other people screw up. After all you wouldn't want them calling you on your screw-ups would you? The world's good at playing the Don't Judge Me card. But we're not judging each other when we sharpen each other.

It doesn't make me angry when you take me aside and say Hey Brother you know you were just cussing over there and that's not really cool for a man of God, it makes me respect you. After all, motorcycle clubs are all about respect, respecting each other enough to hold each other accountable to what Paul calls the "measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ".

James Disciple Johnson
National President & Founder
Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club

Transparency

TRANSPERANCY
Let's talk about it.  Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club is useless if you are all sunshine and God bless you's around your bros when your soul is rotting.
My goal is to be totally legit here. When I'm on, you'll know it, and be in awe of my walk. When I'm depressed, struggling with my sobriety or any other constant struggle for me, you'll know that too, and be shocked. I consider it honorable to not be fake around you men. The men in my charter know all to well what I'm talking about. They know me, as most do, as a godly man careful to speak with grace. They also know me as a loose angry cannon, swearing, frustration and inner pain on my sleeve. I can do nothing less, honestly is important to me.

I can do the whole church face mask, and hide all my trash, but around the brotherhood, why? How will they talk me off the precipice on the mountain? How will they pray for me on the great dark sea in the midst of javelins and arrows? I get the most out of the brotherhood by just being whoever I am at the moment.

My struggles are dark and deep. My sins have been great and horrible, and are constantly before me. The fruit of the knowledge of good and evil is alive and well in my mind. Those who know me best aren't amazed at the consistency of my walk, but by the wild mood swings and radical polar opposite alter egos of James who might show up at any given function.

So please, done be fake ass Christians and hide all your struggles. Carry them in and dump them before the brothers and beg for help and prayer. For sure there is nothing that other men here aren't struggling with. You'll get love, prayer, accountability, and counsel. But you won't get judges and kicked.
This especially goes for you prospects who are moving through the ranks. I'm a rank 1000 faker, and you can't pull the wool over my eyes. Don't play super Christian around me to get your patch. Talk about your struggles and pain if you want my respect. Talk about your sin. Not bragging, but out of repentance.
And that's real talk.

James Disciple Johnson
Natl President and Founder
Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club

The Salvation Prayer

And the lion shall lay with the Lamb.

The other day I got to say the salvation prayer with 4 year old baby James. The night before, he had told Mommy that he was afraid of what happens after you die. So she had a conversation with him about heaven and Hades. She pulled out her phone and Google pictures to show him. He was struck by how the hungry animals were not eating the children who were confidently resting on them. It may be many years before he understands the weight of asking Jesus into his heart, but he gladly did it with me.

The other day my phone rang, and when I answered it the other party said they had the wrong number. I told them no they didn't, they must have needed to have Jesus in their heart, and did they want to say the prayer with me? And so there we were on a wrong number call, saying the Salvation prayer.

Are you ready at any moment? Who knows when the Father will give you an opportunity to say the Salvation prayer with somebody? Here let's say it together now:

Dear Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for me to pay the death penalty for my sins. Please come into my heart, forgive me, change me from the inside, and be my Lord and Savior. Amen

It's just that simple. Maybe somebody's been waiting for you to open the door for them.

James Disciple Johnson
Natl President and Founder
Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club

God Can Really Give a Spanking

1 Corinthians 11:31But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. 32But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.…

My critics first response, when I am administering discipline, is who disciplines me? The obvious answer is myself. I am my own biggest critic, constantly seeking improvement and deeper spiritual depth. The next obvious answer is God. He disciplines the son He loves. Well He must really love me. He's broken my ribs, taken my job, fluctuated my income, He really knows how to bring it. He also knows how to make my path smooth as silk when I'm pleasing Him.

Hebrews 12:6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son."

But at the end of the day, in this club, the buck stops with me. When a bro has a history of inappropriate actions that gets brought to me to deal with, I'm the guy that gets to deal with it. And that's OK, I've been doing it for years in the corporate, MC and church world.

And I've noticed that the guys who have the most stuff to say are the ones to whom the most discipline has had to be applied.

But imagine if you will,  what an organization like this would be if no one had the guts to sit in the final chair, and decide among brothers when the complaints get brought up? Imagine is no one had the authority to bring discipline? And if everything I do doesn't make sense to you, just remember, there are facts that you may not have that went into that decision, no matter how much you feel you know about the situation. And there was hours of prayer, there was decades of God and men of God who poured training into me to prepare me to sit in the hot seat of leadership.

Now I'm not perfect, of course Im not. If you have the privilege of holding a microscope over my life for years, bless me, you are going to have lots to point the hot finger of indignant judgement at. Oh laws yes. And if every pastor had to be perfect to preach the Word, no preaching would happen. And so the Lord carries right on disciplining us.

And the best thing to do when things seem tough is to assess, is this an attack of the enemy, or a spanking from Daddy? Not all bad circumstances are actually bad in the long run.

So lets be open and honest with God, others and ourselves. Let's respect authority, and leadership. Let's keep right on being judgemental and indignant. Not toward everyone else as the "church" would have us do, but to ourselves.

James Disciple Johnson
Natl President and Founder
Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club

Showing Grace When Leaving an MC

When people leave an MC sometimes its for perfectly good reasons. I can think of a lot of guys who felt they needed to leave and did it respectfully.

Many have quit for perfectly good reasons and then come back later. We are so glad they are back. We welcome anyone back.

And some leave and talk smack. They are offended about something, legitimate or not, and can't get over it. Sometimes it's a spirit of anger that causes them to get mad over every little perceived offense and not be able to get over it, like other men can. Sometimes it's a difference of opinion about how an organization should be run, and they lose sight of the mission and flame out. Sometimes it's a spirit of pride and they can't take correction when they've stepped out of line. It might be any number of things, some harder to understand than others. In the heat of the moment it's hard to know, but they might repent and show up apologizing in a few months. Give them grace.

What matters is grace. Everybody screws up. Everyone goes off half cocked, kicking and screaming every once in a while, me included. Don't make a habit of it,  or that will be your reputation. Be ready to love those who left. Forgive them for their smack talk even if they haven't asked for it. Don't engage in the title for tat on social media. Smile, nod, and encourage them to be polite.

The 'church' does enough shouting and fingerpointing. There is enough disagreement and vitriol there. Let's be something different.

After all,  we believe in grace and mercy, and we need to live that and show it.

James Disciple Johnson
Natl President and Founder
Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club

Heart of the King, Hand of the Lord

God is capable of moving the mighty Mississippi a mile from its current riverbed, and does that at times. He's also capable of moving me, or anyone else, anywhere he wants us. He can change the heart of a king, or any leader, at the snap of his fingers. So don't get hung up, raging at a king. Check yourself, or check with God...not learning what He is trying to teach you is going to be a humbling and miserable experience. Having a stiff neck toward a king in your life whether it's the president or your boss, isn't going to make you grow, it's just going to chafe at you till you bleed, and everyone will be sitting there wondering why you are bleeding.
It's undoubtedly true that God is always subtly trying to change you, mold you as a potter molds clay. Are you moldable, teachable, listening? Or are you fighting against what He trying to teach you? 

A Prospect Is...

Let me be clear.  A prospect is not a punk. This is not a fraternity. A prospect is not to be 'seen and not heard'. I don't want prospects being fake and humble and quiet, then get their rag and cut loose, and it's like 'who is this guy?'

I treat a prospect just like I treat a brother, it's no different. If a prospect needs to be taught, I'll do that. But the same goes for a brother, a state president, a national officer, and yes even me. I don't have some special aura toward prospects. If a prospect is a solid man, I don't have to work on him to change his behavior. If a prospect is immature, or has anger and pride issues, he's gonna get it. It's gonna be a tough road for him until he becomes reachable, teachable.

Act like yourself. Be a Disciple. Be who you are gonna be when you get a patch. Don't be all meek and mild then get your patch and be real. Don't be a fake. I can't stand a fake.

If you get challenged, if you are questioned for being out of line then listen, do surgery, and CUT THAT PART OFF. Don't go into being a full patch with the same dumb habits you had when you come here. Yes, we will expect some changes in you, not just hiding behavior, but changing it.

The patch doesn't make the man. You're not a punk because you wear a prospect patch. You are here to SHOW US WHO YOU REALLY ARE. If you change when you get the patch, I'm gonna take that patch right back, trust me.

Yes a prospect should be respectful. But then a full patch should be respectful too. A prospect should serve and learn a servants heart. But then being a full patch is about ministry, and the word ministry means service. The more you do in this club, the more service you do. Being a leader is all about humility and service. The first shall be last, and servant of all. Prospects fetch water and red bull, full patches teach life lessons. It's all service,and you're supposed to pick up that lifestyle as a prospect.

Full patches: you are to be honorable and kind to prospects. Can we be tough and harsh when the circumstances demand it? Of course, but humility and honor come first. No one can yell at a prospect louder than I can, but then that prospect also has had me be kind and friendly to him as well. If they don't see you as kind and godly, all the yelling in the world will just make them lose respect for you. But when they see your servants heart they will long to follow you to the gates of hell.

Take initiative men. Exercise humility, leadership, responsibility, grace, strength and kindness. Be known for being prompt and manly. But don't be a punk, don't be punked, and don't be fake. You better not change one iota when you get your patch. You know...if you ever get a patch.

James Disciple Johnson
Natl President and Founder
Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club

What Biblical Brotherhood Looks Like

Some could have a deep misunderstanding of brotherhood as being something where you are constantly correcting the guy next to you. Seeking his faults and pointing them out to others, complaining about that other guy. Claiming that you're just iron sharpening iron.

But in fact you may have become what 1 Cor 13 calls an annoying noise. If I don't have love I am a noisy gong, a clanging cymbal. This is not brotherhood. It's NOT why I started the club. And I don't care if you are a prospect for 10 years, you'll never get my vote until you fix it. Never. Love is what fixes it. I need to see love toward the brothers. Not one brother, or the brothers in another charter, or your ma, but toward the brother who rubs you the wrong way too.

Here are some verses to meditate on about brotherhood. I'm going to expect you prospects to be able to explain them to me. And more, to live them.

James 5:19 My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, maintain an intense love for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins.

Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all transgressions.

Proverbs 17:9 He who conceals a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

Sharing Full Patch Pictures

Here are some guidelines for how supporters and up can post pictures of themselves with a full-patch.

First of all it is a core belief that it's important for us to be able to share cool looking pictures on social media for our followers, and advertise our presence to potential members. Therefore it's intrinsically important that cool looking pictures of us riding in a pack, or various people standing next to us such as supporters and hang around in group pictures, be shared on social media.

There is a prohibition on posting pictures of a patch you haven't earned, but this is more for new supporters not to make their profile picture our back patch.

Accordingly if we take a group picture, a prospect, hang around or supporter in the picture should be able to share the picture on social media, and not be restricted from doing so just because one of us has our patch visible. Remember that we're not a 1% Club and we don't need to always follow their guidelines in everything. It shouldn't be if an old lady takes a picture of the group of us that she can't post it for fear of her husband getting reprimanded, nor should we miss out on the opportunity to share epic or iconic images of our organization like a bunch of Brothers riding in the wind. So here's my direction

1. Feel free to post group pictures of Disciples riding, or standing together.
2. Group pictures are defined as pictures we know you're taking, for instance if a group of us is out riding or staring at a camera, as opposed to sneaking in and taking a picture of a secret meeting, or pictures of us when we aren't looking and didn't authorize it.
3. If you appear in a picture, and a full patch is visible, that's okay to post. Because you appear in the picture.
4. You can share a full patch picture from a full patches page. You're clearly sharing somebody else's post so that's okay to do as opposed to posting as if it's you.
5. A RIP picture of a fallen Disciple with his cut.
6. If a full patch feels a certain picture is inappropriate be gracious in asking for its remove, and explain why as well so it's clear.
7. And of course... No pictures with 1%ers, support gear,  or their support clubs.

Hopefully this helps you, and of course if you ever have questions call your ma!

James Disciple Johnson
Natl President and Founder
Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club

How to Squash Drama

How to Squash Drama 

I've got a lot of experience in dealing with drama. In churches, in the corporate world, and in motorcycle clubs. Drama is the biggest enemy of any organization. It's like a cancer that eats from the inside out. Churches split, corporations lose money, motorcycle clubs lose entire charters over drama.

So let's define what drama is and how to recognize it. Drama is people not following Scripture. Its people talking ABOUT other people rather than talking TO other people. It's gossip, poison, dissatisfaction. Drama can normally be dealt with simply by talking to the person you were concerned with and simply clearing up the miscommunication or misunderstanding. But immature people don't have the balls to go to the person they have a problem with, so they go to everybody else instead out of cowardice. Normally drama comes from misunderstandings and misperceptions about what somebody is, says or does.

Drama sounds like this:
"Well what she/he said/did is...."
"Well he/she needs to give a second thought to what he's doing because I think...."
"Where does your allegiance lay?"
"They don't know where your allegiance lies so they haven't confided in you... "
"I've done this for you so you need to be on my side..."
"I'll back your play."
"There need to be some changes around here because.... "
"Well what I don't like around here is...."
All this stuff is perfectly understood and accepted in the world, cuz that's how the flesh operates. But in the Christian world, we have a higher standard.

These kind of comments come from helpless and powerless people who want to be in control, but God has not seen fit to put in control. They simply do not understand the level that God has placed them at. While they are desperate for power and hungry for attention, they're dissatisfied with the fact that God has not put them in those places. Truly, their problem isn't with the person they're talking about, but with God. For surely, if God had meant them to be in control, God would have put them in that place. Or of course God is an idiot who doesn't know what He's doing....

So how do you squash drama?

First is to recognize that this person is trying to drag you down. Don't be amazed and bedazzled that they chose you to vomit their trash on to. Be disgusted and disturbed that they think you'd be interested in taking your focus off of mission and ministry and putting it on politics and the political aspirations of men.

Second, just tell them to follow through with what the Word says in Matthew 18: if you have a problem with that person, go to that person, it's not right for you to talk to me about it. Tell them to grow a pair, and go talk to the person they're upset with rather than you. This is where the 24 hour rule comes from, you have 24 hours to go talk to that person that you're complaining about, or else I'm going to put you on Front Street and tell them what you said. After all do you have a covenant allegiance to that person, Or to God?

Third, recognize that this person that's saying these things to you is out of line,  and in the wrong. Pray for them, that they not be focused on the things of man, but they be focused on the things of God. Pray for them that they develop spiritually to the point where God can use them more thoroughly. After all if there is a legitimate problem, they can pray to God, and He will solve it. He is actually capable of that.

Last, have a mindset of mission and ministry, not politics and criticism. People are going to hell. Rather than focus on what may have been a misstep by someone or not, focus on the fact that people need to be saved. Every moment spent on drama is an insult to God, and an insult to the souls who will burn in hell for eternity. Are we about drama, or eternal heaven for lost souls?

And that's critical to remember.

James Disciple Johnson
Natl President and Founder
Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club 

DISCIPLE CMC BLOG: How to Squash Drama

http://disciplecmcblog.blogspot.com/2016/03/how-to-squash-drama.html?m=1

The 24 Hour Rule

The 24 Hour Rule

The Bible is clear and simple. In Matthew 18 it makes a simple and clear rule: if you have a problem with someone, you go to that person. You don't go to anyone else, you don't make it public knowledge, you dont Facebook it, you don't get all the guys you like in your organization on your side first, YOU GO TO THE PERSON,and you win them over.

The 24 hour rule is simple. If you start questioning the motives of or complaining about another person to me, I will stop you. I'll ask you if you have already spoken to them. If you have or if you haven't, I will then tell you that YOU HAVE 24 HOURS to talk to them, and then I'm putting you on front street and telling them everything you just told me.

The only exception, per Matthew 18 is if I am the next level higher in authority, and you already spoke to them as it didn't get resolved.

Your deal is with them, YOU TALK TO THEM. That's how you kill drama. That's how you squash the rumor mill. I don't want to hear your complaints, I'm not gonna be part of the drama machine,  that's not grown up behavior, I want you to talk to them. This goes for lah-dee-dah-dee EVERYBODY in Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club, national officers, presidents, full patches, prospects, hangarounds, supporters, and old ladies too.

Gossip is a sin. Talk is cheap. Insulting others isn't cool. None of that. And if I hear you violated the 24 hour rule I can and will impose consequences and repercussions on you, your ma, your charter boss, whatever I need to do to get the point across. So be notified, tell your son's, tell your charter, and MOST ESPECIALLY tell your old lady because that's quite frankly where I've seen a lot of this junk start. You need to make it CLEAR to everybody everywhere that you do the 24 hour rule cuz your a grown up,and you don't need them drawing you into their trap. We are about mission and ministry, not drama and politics. 

#DramaFreeMC #ThatsHowWeRoll #24HourRule

DISCIPLE CMC BLOG: The 24 Hour Rule

http://disciplecmcblog.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-24-hour-rule.html?m=1