To begin, I know that this issue may be of great interest to some (even many) while to others, it’s no big deal. Too, some might be a bit fearful of what I’m going to say about the biker church while others couldn’t care less. I think I mentioned to you when I started this study that a few thought they already knew where I was going with this topic (maybe that’s true; and, then again, maybe, just maybe. . .). Well, whether my comments are pro or con, rest assured that they will be biblical. That way, you can “pay your money and take your choice.”
Hey, let’s ask ourselves some questions that are pertinent to our discussion:
1) Does the idea of a “biker church” (BC, for short) find support in or violate any Scripture?
2) Why do we need the BC?
3) Is the BC an acceptable innovation in the 21st century church?
4) What are the pros and cons of the BC?
5) Does the BC promote “tribalism”?
6) Should I try to start, become a member of, and/ or support a BC?
As to the first inquiry, recalling our passages used for this devo, neither I Peter 2:9-10, Acts 2:42-47, nor Zechariah 1:16-17 and 2:10 state or imply support of or prohibitions toward a biker church (and, there are obviously no passages mentioning such - maybe a “charioteers’ church,” but certainly no biker one!). Once again, it’s not the style that matters but rather the substance – Frank Lloyd Wright, the great architect of the twentieth century, once said, ìForm follows function.î The three basic aspects of a NT church are worship, edification, and evangelism. If those three are present according to their biblical definitions - i.e., Truth - then a church may be constituted. To always remember that the NT church is “the people of God” – no matter its demographics – is to be about the main thing!
Second, a need for the biker church may genuinely exist. As we said last week, the times, they are a-changin’ – what’s stylin’ today may be ol’ fashioned tomorrow. There is a generation of unchurched people out there who know nothing of the time-honored and God-honoring traditions of our forefathers. They’re tuned into a totally different station! Thus, if the twenty-first century church is not looking unselfishly away from its own preferences and toward the needs of others, then God may very well pass it by (I call it the ol’ ìIchabod Syndromeî - i.e., “the glory has departed.”). It’s not for a lack of Truth that this would happen; instead it is due to a lack of love (see Christ’s warning to the church at Ephesus in Rev 2:1-7). He who is able to hear, hear and heed!
Next, the BC may be no less of an acceptable innovation to our culture than many of the additions practiced in the most doctrinally orthodox congregations on the scene today. Those congregations have wonderfully eclectic and balanced music ministries, have tapped into the media to present the Gospel both inside and outside of their congregations, are sending Christ’s message around the world via the internet, and are ministering in ways not heard of even a decade ago all the while maintaining dignity, reverence, and awe toward God in worship. So, what’s wrong with biker types coming together to do the same?
Having dealt with some of the “pros” of the BC in the preceding paragraphs, let me concentrate on this next question from the “cons” perspective. Now before I get anybody’s dander up, let me remind you of a couple of facts: one, we live in a fallen, sin-impregnated world which means that all men and their institutions are subject to the same fallenness and sin-impregnation. Hey, everybody and everything has its own share of “warts.” And, what can be said as a negative about the BC can be said about any and all congregations who ìwant to do their own thingî at the expense of biblical truth. Hey, it cuts across all denominational lines, man!
So, if I was to highlight some weaknesses in this whole idea of the biker church, I’d say that: first, the bikers need to be on guard against impure motives when starting these congregations. Hey, why should you join a local congregation anyway? Is it not: one, because God has called you there; and, two, because it meets the biblical standards for a NT church? Man, if it isn’t, it should be! But, a lot of us join local churches for other reasons (most of which smell of pride). Many BC’s have formed because bikers have not felt welcomed - perceived or real ñ in local churches. They even wear a patch, “These ARE my church clothes,” to highlight this rejection. Like a little child who has not gotten his way, they leave that church (and start their own!). Question: is this what the Bible teaches us? I think not. Remember the words of Jesus: “Go and be reconciled with your brother,” and “Go and show him his fault, just the two of you. If he listens, you have won your brother over,” and “[forgive] not seven times, but seventy times seven.” Man, forgive one another instead of wearing those feelings on your sleeve! “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity.”
Then, in the BC, there seems to be a high concentration on the experiential aspect in worship (to the exclusion of the doctrinal). Nevertheless, the pastors, preachers, and teachers of the BC are no less accountable than their non-biker counterparts for the souls in their congregation (see Heb 13:17 and Jam 3:1). Preparation to preach and teach, however, is sorely lacking in many churches including the BC. Sound biblical exegesis (interpretation), exposition (verse-by-verse presentation of what the Scripture says and not what the preacher thinks it says or wants it to say), and application (so that the lives of his people are pointed in a direction corresponding to the teaching of the passage) are vitally needed. The sermon ìthrown together at the last moment,î ìwarmed over from a few months or years ago,î ìcopied from the internet and/ or famous sermons of great preachers,î or îgiven by the Lord at the last moment without any prepî are not acceptable alternatives to those big three: exegesis, exposition, and application. (And, don’t forget a previous admonition: ìSermonettes make Christianettes.î)
To follow this up, doctrinal imprecision is primarily due to the leadership within the BC having little or no theological training. The complaint has always been, ìThem thar semitaries ruin yung preech’rs with that lib’ralism,î and, ìHey, I’ve been around the block more times than you can shake a stick at. I don’t need no high-phalutin’ theology!î Well, that’s pretty arrogant, if you ask me. Man, I’m still learnin’!!! It’s as the ol’ timey illustration: ìChrist is like a vast continent, and in all my years of study, I’ve barely reached the coastal mountains!î Dude, find you a school that believes in and teaches God’s Truth and ìgit tharî! (And, when you think you have enough, start applying it [and then go back for some more later!]. You’re always to be a learner ñ that’s the very heart and soul of being a disciple, bro!
A final con is that there can be a lack of understanding of the biblical teachings about the local church ñ what it is and what it is to be about. Well, let me suggest that you take a look at the marks of a ìpureî church (now I didn’t say a ìperfectî church ëcause there ain’t none of them around!). I don’t have the space to ruminate on them here, but they would include: sound biblical doctrine, proper use of the sacraments/ ordinances, right use of church discipline, genuine worship, effective prayer, effective witness, effective fellowship, biblical church government, spiritual power in ministry, personal holiness in the lives of its members, care for the poor and needy, and a genuine love for Christ.
So, on to the fifth issue: the tribal mentality is easily fostered and passed on within the BC. This can be quite minor ñ such as, it says, ìWe like to be with our own.î Or, it can be much more virulent ñ you know, ìIt’s us versus them!î But, both are wrong. In the last half of the twentieth century, the ìchurch growth movementî (CGM) saw great acceptance in the American church. And, while some of CGM’s thinking and innovations were helpful (for instance, emphasizing the first century church’s concentration on urban areas as that’s where the people are), others moved away from the very heart of missions and what the church is to be about. A glaring misstep by the CGM would have to be it’s stress on a homogeneous congregation. Now, while this may, indeed, increase the numbers within any given congregation (’cause we all like to be with people just like us), it is not God’s intention for His people.Note David’s song in Psalm 122:3-4:
“Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together. That is where the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, to praise the Name of the Lord according to the statute given to Israel.”
Here is a beautiful depiction of the Church (with a big “C”), and it lends itself to a description of the church (lil’ “c”). I’d like you to note first that the church is represented as Jerusalem and that the many factions that comprise it are called “tribes.” This is most instructive when considering the biker church (or, for that matter, any number of other boutique congregations (be they called contemporary, traditional, cowboy, alternative, Gen X or Y or. . .).
You see, the church is to be filled up with all the tribes - hey, it’s to be heterogeneous! To recall Acts 2 and the beginning of the NT church at Pentecost, there were “devout men of every nation under heaven” who heard Peter’s sermon “in his own native language” (emphasis here on the many diverse languages - i.e., a lot of different folks!). Man, let’s leave homogeneity to the milk-making process!
And, that’s ’cause the church is the portrait of heaven (which is the real deal!) – man, there will be ìevery tongue and tribe and nation and peopleî there!!! I ask, “Why in the world do I want to purposefully separate myself from any of God’s people - let’s see, black, white, red, brown, or yellow; tall, short, wide, or thin; educated or illiterate; athletic or not even able to walk and chew gum at the same time; old, young, or in-between; male or female; biker, cowboy, yuppie, redneck, hippie, preppie, or alternative; Gen-X, Gen-Y, or Gen-whatever?!?!?!”
My joy is found in being with all of God’s chosen people, royal priesthood, and holy nation! I find encouragement, love, teaching, mercy, kindness, accountability, grace, leadership, kindness, challenge, and a multitude of other qualities in and from each and all of them. Their uniqueness and distinctiveness are precious gifts from God inebriating my heart with His love and grace. Yeah, I may be from the tribe of bikers, but I want to ìcome to Jerusalem to be compacted togetherî with all the other tribes!!!
So, we have to be very careful not to foster an attitude of separation among the brethren. As I said before, a mentality that wears a patch like the “These ARE my church clothes” could engender a spirit of pride (in which we become the very hypocrites that we disdain - little different than the “suits” that turn their noses up at us). This is the antithesis of what God wants His people to be.
Which then brings us to the last question: should I start, become a member of, or support a biker congregation? Well, you know the answer – that’s got to be between you and the Lord, right? I believe that the Holy Spirit will guide you to a right decision. Just remember what we’ve already said: has God called you to do this, and does this church meet God’s standards for His people? As for me, well, at this time God has neither called me to start nor to join one.
I hope that this study has caused you to thoughtfully consider some of the many issues facing the NT church in the twenty-first century. Some might even wish that they had lived in the so-called ìgood, ol’ days.î But, when were those days – have there ever been any good, ol’ days??? Hey, man’s state since the Fall has not changed – men are still sinners and still in need of redemption through Christ Jesus. And, the Church/ church is as it’s always been – God’s instrument of righteousness in the proclamation of that redemption. The twenty-first century is here for another ninety-two years plus a couple of months. Things are not like they were, and we can’t go back. But, let’s remember the refrain in the old “Dragnet” TV series, “Only the culture has changed…” Man, the Truth remains!!!
So, let’s look at these times - our times - not with disdain or remorse or victimization or hopelessness but rather with a sense of destiny and reformation and vitality and hopefulness! Future generations of God’s people, should the Lord tarry, will look upon us with the same scrutiny and discernment that we ourselves have evaluated former ones. And, with some wonder, I think, “What will their judgment be?”
(Originally composed as a portion of a multi-part series in 2R’s weekly devos, the series is also one of CrossWind’s curricula for 2009. See the “CrossWind Curriculum” page for details.)
Copyright(c) 2007 CrossWind Ministry
