DISCIPLE CMC BLOG - COPYRIGHT DISCIPLE CHRISTIAN MC 2009
I'm warning you now! We Disciples will kill anyone who crosses us.
With kindness.
We are very likely to shoot you.
A prayer.
We are also likely to stab you.
With the sword of the Spirit.
And if all of that doesn't work, we will lay hands on you.
And say a blessing over you.
Never cross a true man of God, because he'll never take revenge. But God will on his behalf.
Never lose your temper, you're men of God!
I just read a very condemnational post by a leader in a large nationwide Christian motorcyclists organization. In it he sits in judgment and condemnation of all Christian motorcycle clubs that don't patch up women, as being inferior to his organization that does. He thinks we do it to be like other clubs, and wrote at length how we are to be separate from the world not of the world. Let me bring to light some facts he has ignored, because I've heard from many like him.
Here at Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club, like many other Christian motorcycle clubs, we are a men's ministry. And that's okay. There's something out there called Promise Keepers convention for men, I'm sure your church has a men's ministry. That's ok too. I'm not aware of any reasonable call for them to admit women as well. We Disciples are focused on getting one percenters saved and those are by and large Men. We are focused on growing Christian men in their faith in God and love of brotherhood. Both of those things are oriented toward men. It just is what it is. There are lots of organizations out there for women or for both men and women, I won't name them here. But we are an organization for men. I certainly don't criticize their mission of patching up women and men. But they aren't motorcycle clubs. And whether anyone likes it or not, that's just the way it is. I don't go around decrying the fact that my church has a quilt knitting for ladies, and I'm not allowed to join! And neither should you.
God has a place for every Christian ministry. Don't be jealous, don't criticize or condemn other Christian ministries whose goals and directions from the Holy Spirit is different than your aim. Celebrate the diversity of Christian organizations, we have the same goal, and are reaching the lost. Don't sit in judgment of your brother. Work to find common ground, that is the work of mature men and women. The rest is the work of the enemy.
James Disciple Johnson
National President and Founder
Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club
GOD IS GREAT 888
In today's church there has been a rush to explain Jesus as a caring, sympathetic, good man, which is all true. But somehow in our minds eye perhaps it's come about that Jesus is a long haired, kind of pot smoker looking hippie in sandals, who pretty much chills out and doesn't judge anybody, likes children, is okay with being smacked across the face and turning the other cheek, and is, for lack of a better term, a sissy. And perhaps a lot of bikers assume if they accept Jesus they have to become a sissy too.
While I understand the urge to make Jesus watered down for the masses, I couldn't disagree more.
Jesus is a man's man. Jesus suffered torture without a word. That's gangsta. He is described as a carpenter, and the Greek might even include the word stone mason, it's not like there were a lot of big trees around Jerusalem. I imagine Jesus as a fairly strong guy with rough hands accustomed to taking splinters. He hung around with fishermen, also barrel chested strong guys dragging up giant nets with heavily calloused hands. And of course who cusses a lot, if not a sailor? Jesus hung out with guys like Peter, who whipped out his sword and cut off the ear of the guy who came to arrest Jesus. Somehow I doubt Peter was aiming for the ear.
And the whole bit about turning the other cheek, you have to look at that scripture in context (Luke 6:29). The context is loving those who hate you, not seeking revenge. Its talking about Roman law where you have to carry a Roman soldiers gear for a mile if he asks you too, and Jesus says you should go the extra mile. Jesus was suggesting that we obey the law of the country we live in , not just the letter of the law but the spirit. A Roman soldier by Roman law had the right to smack you across the face.
But Jesus didn't put up with being smacked across the face! When the officer slapped Jesus across the face prior to his crucifixion (John 18:23), Jesus is NOT recorded as having turned the other cheek and asking for another one, instead he stands up for himself, and says why smitest thou me? In our vernacular that's "What's up?! Why did you do that!?"
I don't believe for a minute that Jesus is suggesting we allow people to walk all over us, transgress our boundaries, disrespect us and continue to do so.
There's a popular meme that goes around the internet that says: When someone asks you what would Jesus do, remember that getting a whip and driving people out of the church is within the realm of possibilities!
That's the Jesus I think of!
Jesus is into protecting the poor, the needy , the children. This is exactly the kind of thing bikers are into. Think about how Jesus would treat people who mess with children. He says it would be better for them to have a millstone be tied around their neck and the be thrown into the sea! So basically drowning. Now notice that we don't see examples in the Bible of Jesus going round and drowning child molesters, and this paragraph is certainly not an invitation for you to do so. But I do want you to understand that grieves the heart of Jesus that these things happen, and it grieves Him if they have happened to you. I want you to see that Jesus feels the same way about these things that you and I do.
The Bible is full of examples of people defending themselves from unjust situations, and not putting up with violence and abuse.
In Luke 22:36 Jesus and his disciples have a conversation about buying swords, which is commonly understood as need for self defense. Exodus 22:2 describes the use of lethal force defending yourself in your home from a thief. Ezekiel 33:6 talks about defending the lives of others, as does Genesis 9:5-6. Life, liberty and the freedom to defend yourself from attack are important to God.
Now none of this is saying that you should go around being a violent person, popping people in the mouth, using your right to self-defense improperly, losing your temper to intimidate people, or breaking the law. In fact the Bible specifically speaks against that. Proverbs 3:31-32 Do not envy a man of violence, And do not choose any of his ways. 32 For the crooked man is an abomination to the LORD; But He is intimate with the upright.
We also have to be clear that murder, the pre meditated taking of someone's life out of anger or revenge is wrong. When we are wronged by others, we can turn to God for vengeance. Rom 12:19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And really, God can get 'em better than you can!
My goal in writing this chapter is that you understand there is a biblical balance between being caring and forgiving, and realizing that it's okay to be a rough and tumble man. Jesus was a tough guy, and He hung around with tough guys. The men of the Bible were tough men, and knew how to take care of themselves. Just because you get saved doesn't mean you become a sissy! Remember that sissy Jesus does not exist! When you get saved you still are who you are, you're just making a commitment to be forgiving, loving and caring wherever possible. And when the time comes to take care of business, you still have that right, too.
Perhaps like me you carry a concealed firearm legally, everywhere that you're legally allowed to. At some point when you made the decision to do so, you had to weigh in your mind what it means to carry a gun. It's no small matter. I'm sure that like me you hope to never use that gun for anything other than target practice. But somewhere inside of you you've made a decision. When the time comes, if the time comes, you're prepared to defend your family, your life, your liberty. This is in no way contrary with the teaching of the Bible.
Certainly no one wishes to use lethal force, not soldiers, not police, not civilians, not any reasonable rational person. There is nothing pleasant in the experience of taking someone's life. Rather it will haunt your dreams, it can cause misery for years to come, both personally in your mind, and legally in your life.
Be serious, be sober mind. Be aware of the law, and the right thing to do. And be prepared. Turning your life over to Jesus does not mean that you become a sissy. The Jesus you serve is the same one found the Revelations 19. And he's pretty hardcore.
Revelations 19:11And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.
12His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself.
13He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
14And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses.
15From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.
16And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Sissy Jesus Does Not Exist http://disciplecmcblog.blogspot.com/2014/02/sissy-jesus-does-not-exist.html
An excerpt from: Violent Men of God - The Story of my Life as a Motorcycle Club Enforcer, and What it Taught me About Jesus -by James Disciple Johnson
Some of the most prominent men of the Bible, who accomplished the most for God, were violent men. I think of Moses murdering a government employee, hiding the body, and going on the run from the law in Exodus 2:11-14. Or King David, who was told by God he could not build the temple because there was blood on his hands (1 Chron 22:8), he was a soldier who fought war after war to solidify the Jews in their land. Reading from 2nd Samuel 23:8, you get a picture of the incredible violence of the mighty men who accompany David. And yet God calls David a man after his own heart in Acts 13:22. Think of Peter, with his ready temper, slicing off the ear of the man who comes to arrest Jesus in John 18:10. And yet he was the rock that Jesus built His holy church on. How about the Apostle Paul? He is described as violently persecuting the church, and executing its members in Acts 26:10-11 among other places. And yet these men are responsible for writing vast portions of the Scriptures.
These men were zealous in their faith. The Rev. C. H. Spurgeon in his famous sermon 'Holy Violence' given May 15th, 1859 (find it on the internet, its a great read) put it this way: "Those who have received the Spirit in verity and truth are violent men. They have a violent anxiety to be saved, and they violently strive that they may enter in at the strait gate. Well they know that seeking to enter in is not enough, for many shall seek to enter in but shall not be able, and therefore do they strive with might and main."
I see this in converted Christian bikers. In the world, we were sold out to sex, drugs and violence, a miserable life, that we only escaped by the grace of God. And now that we have received forgiveness, and the blessing of redemption, we are every bit as much sold out to reach and save The Lost, who walk in the world we were once in. We are under the attack of the enemy, as we reach into the lives of those he controls, as we walk back into the familiar sleazy world which we once walked in, and encounter the very vices which once brought us down. We are at war violently with our own selves, with our flesh that craves and desires the things we were once sold out to. We are at war with the enemy who seeks to distract us from our mission, and tell us that we are not worthy of the saving grace of God. We must fully press in, we must desperately seek the Spirit of God, we are at war for lost souls. We are violently at war lest we slip back into our old ways. We must fight to retain our grasp on spiritual things. We must seize the Kingdom of God violently for ourselves, lest the claws of our wiley enemy drag us back into what we escaped from.
Matt 11:11 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. (KJV)
Luke 16:16 The Law and the Prophets remained until John. Since then, the good news about the kingdom of God has been proclaimed, and everyone entering it is under attack. (ISV)
As leaders, there are a lot of people looking at us. This might make you think you have to put on a happy face and pretend to be 'that guy'. But running around saying 'oh bless you brother' when you don't feel it makes you fake, and if there's one thing a biker can spot, its a fake.
By the same token, we are not called to wander around with a sour face on, and be thoughtless toward others. The enemy does an awesome job trying to convince us that our problems are so big, that we can't see others and what they are going through.
If you accept the prestige of authority , you also must accept the responsibility to have a daily word and prayer time, and to center yourself before you walk into the spotlight. Set your struggles aside, and discern the needs of others so that you can speak into them.
Everyone wants the title , but not everyone wants the responsibility. Everyone wants to look cool, but frankly many who are in leadership shouldn't be. With so many self proclaimed presidents who are 'starting a club', but have never been a prospect, never been taught the right way to do things, there may not be enough role models out there. So here are some basic thoughts:
1. You don't own them. So stop calling them 'your guys'. They are God's guys. And you will be called into account before God for how you treat them, and what happens to their souls. I never allow presidents under me to call the men in their charters 'my guys'.
2. Just because you call yourself president doesn't mean you get to treat God's guys however you want. In fact that means there is a stricter judgment from God on you. You better not be wounding a lot of people, hurting their feelings, treating them however you want. God will deal with you. You are subject to your men as their leader. You were voted in, and like a politician you can be voted out, and should be if you don't treat people right. Earn your keep every day.
3. Never give advice. People don't need your human advice. Pray before you speak. If you don't have a word from God for them, keep your mouth shut. Pray with men, listen to them, ask questions. They probably already know the right thing to do, its just probably something they don't want to do.
4. Learn reflective listening. Research it. Employ it. For pete's sake stop talking. Stop interrupting people. All the wise men I've known in my life didn't chatter on endlessly. They were quiet, they were listening. This will make you a better leader, a better husband and father.
5. Stop talking about yourself. Self conscious people with low self esteem talk about themselves to build themselves up. Let another praise you and not your own lips, that's how Proverbs puts it. And while you're at it, stop criticizing people. Build them up instead.
6. Pray for wisdom. Pray for patience and humility. These are the traits of a great leader. Notice I did not say to pray to become a loud mouth. That's the trait of a poor leader.
7. Publicly praise the men around you. Work very hard to find their positive characteristics. That way when you do, it won't be flattery, it'll be real.
8. Don't back down from confrontation, but don't get angry when it comes. Work with people as best you can. But when its time, crush and expel dissension and the critical spirit. If somebody is critical and negative, take them to the side and tell them in no uncertain terms that it's incorrect and will not be tolerated. The second time, get up in their face and find out why they didn't follow through on your first message. The third time kick them to the curb for a couple weeks, and make them earn their way back in with positive encouraging and loving speech. Do it while they are still a prospect, because it's only going to get worse when they get their patch. One critical person can bring down the whole charter.
9. Leaders lead. Never ask anyone to do something you wouldn't do yourself. Lead by example. Be enthusiastic. Everyone is going to be slightly less enthusiastic than you are. Never be critical of the leaders above you, always back them up and support them. Or else you're teaching people to be critical of you, people do what they see. You reap what you sow, if you want dedicated followers, be a dedicated follower.
10. Realize the limit of your authority. For the men under my leadership, I have the right to criticize mentor and build up. But that doesn't apply to every biker I meet. My general rule is that I need to build someone up and be positive to them 3 times, before I have earned the right to criticize them or correct them. Few things are more annoying than a person who thinks their God given job is to go around correcting strangers.
As a final thought, study leadership. Read books or websites on it. If you taking the authority, wear it well.