CMA'er Experience?

Being a CMAer

I've been in CMA for about 5 years now. First of all, there are no dues. Secondly, it's an evangelical assocation on an international basis. Check out the website at www.cmausa.org

Here's my experience with CMA. When I moved suddenly due to a job change, I contacted the State Coordinator of CMA to find out if a chapter was in the area I was moving to. Then I left messages for the CMA contacts in that area (Southern Illinois). When I moved down here, several members of the chapter met me and helped me move into my temporary rental house. Then they helped me again in a couple of months when I moved more permanently. These folk had never met me until that day.

CMA is about loving the Lord and loving motorcycles. Each CMAer gets something different out of the experience. Some of us enjoy the poker runs and bike rallies, where we can witness to others and participate in field events. Others prefer more leisurely settings such as dinner rides, where they can witness to folks along the way.

Our chapter, The Lord's Paheece, is very active in the area between Mt. Vernon and Marion and Carbondale...southern Illinois on Interstate 57. We are regularly asked to have the opening prayer at various benefit poker runs, memorial rides, memorial fund raisers, and other biker related events. When we don't show up to a poker run or other event, the local bikers (typically non-Christian) start asking where were we..why didn't we show up.

As with any organized group, especially with bikers, individuality is part of the experience. We get out of it...what we put into it... Some chapters hold annual bike blessings or other large events. Usually there are monthly meetings with some business, a devotional time, and lots of fellowship... usually followed by dinner!

The chapters elect officers in November of each year...President, Vice President, Road Captain, Treasurer/Secretary, Chaplain. There is a specific training program necessary to earn the CMA backpatch...several videos and a workbook covering all aspects of CMA and our mission.

So, like any Christian organization, you can choose to be active or inactive. But the experience is awesome. Feel free to send me a pm for more information. On the CMA website, you'll find a section with each state coordinator and then the state chapters. Blessings......

What I get out of CMA

I have been a member of CMA for 2 years, I ride with the King's Kruizers chapter out of Greenville, Texas. Our chapter is almost a phenomenom among organizations, it is about 4 years old and we have over 70 patch holders. That is an unusual thing, but I think it is because we have solid people in officer positions and no one has an agenda or an axe to grind in our chapter. Let me explain- you can join the international CMA organization and have a membership number and card without ever going the next step and patching, that is a commitment some choose not to make and some do, but you are no less a member of CMA if you don't. All it means is you choose to identify yourself as a CMA member and with that patch comes voting privileges, nominating priveleges and the ability to hold an office, if you meet the attendance criteria that is in place. That is a criteria that was put in place to insure that the right people are involved in decision making, those that are regular, not the occaisional participant, though he can be a member non-the-less. While patching with a CMA chapter requires a commitment beyond, it is nothing like patching with a secular group(I personally hate that term as it sounds like we think we are better than somebody else, that is not the case, we actually prefer to mix and mingle with all bikers and not segregate ourselves to only our group). The only thing I know of that we share with a non-Christian group (really don't like to say that either as it sounds judgmental) is that to wear the patch we are expected to commit to a higher level and to conduct ourselves in such a way as to never disrespect our patch. While some MC members will say they are not our "colors", we refer to them as such as they identify us as who we are. That is where the commonality ends. We know that to wear the patch in an MC is a level of commitment that few can make. I have ridden something with 2 wheels as long as I can remember, and didn't always "walk the walk" of a Christian. I never wore anybody's patch before this one, so I am by no means an authority on the subject, but those are the only similarites I know of between the two, that an the way the un-educated public perceives all of us in our leathers. I CHOSE to take the extra step to wear the patch as that is my identity now. Now- after that little diatribe, you are wondering is this clown ever gonna tell me what he gets out of CMA. Here goes - for me to live the Christian life as I should is a daily thing, due to my basic nature there is a war being fought for my soul every day because Satan sees my weaknesses and being the perstistent little devil he is (no pun intended), he refuses to give up. Being human, and in some cases probably week, I need the help of the Holy Spirt and of my Christian friends to win these daily battles. My association with CMA has put me in contact with some people that face that same struggle due to past things, we all don't want to disappoint each other, we support each other when things are going wrong and at least for me this helps me stay on the straight track and out of the ditch. The scriptures teach that we need to fellowship with other believers, and while I also attend church on a regular basis, this CMA chapter is probably much less judgmental in a lot of cases and I know that my inner circle of friends genuinely care about me and what happens to me. Unfortunately in some church situations that is not always the case as politics, gossip, and agenda are often in regular attendance as well. One of the guys that posted above mentioned how CMAers are always helping somebody. That actually is our mantra "here if you need us." We try to travel with an attitude that we don't mind going out of our way to help somebody else, patch-holder, Christian, or not. We all know that when we are wearing the patch that our moves are being scrutinzed by all, the doubters, the curious, those that would love to see us fail. Often someone is watching to see if we are consistent in our behavior and I am proud to say that probably 99% of patch holders are. That is the extra commitment I am speaking of, that we accept that our wearing the patch is our witness and we are being held to high expectations where our behavior is concerned, by our own organization and by the outside world we move around in. We are not an organization that excludes, but one that wishes to include. The consistency of our patch holders is what I think earns us the respect of a lot of people, some who don't share our lifestyle or beliefs, but as we respect them, they also respect us. That is the basis of trust, and ultimately of friendship anyway. There are many other Christian organizations around, motorcycle ministries, riding clubs, etc. CMA is just one of the better known because it is 30 years old and has over 120,000 members worldwide, so it is just more visible than some of the others. It is a good thing for me and I recommend it to you. The best thing about it is that it is a CHOICE, a FREE WILL decision that only you can make and you also decide to what extent your involvement and participation will be. I just know for me it is a good thing!

Great testimony. In our travels Cat and I have become very close with quite a few of the Christian biker groups around Florida and the CMA'rs are a solid group of folks who are always around to help out. We are also close with the Christian Riders out of Highmore SD, the Heaven's Saints out of Tampa FL and the Prodigal Sons out of Tampa FL. We proudly call all of these folks brothers and sisters and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend any of them. In the end, it is really a matter of finding a group of folks that you feel comfortable with who share your beliefs and goals. Spend some time with them and get to know them and when you are ready go for it. Fellowship is a good thing for us and there is no substitute for good brothers and sisters who are going down the same road in life and fighting the same fight. Like we used to say in NY, it's a beautiful thing!

Glad to help out!

One thing I failed to note, that is that our chapter interacts with several other Christian motorcycle groups on a regular basis. There is a group out of Dallas that several of our local friends rode with for a while, Forgiven MM. Their main thrust is ministry in the prisons. Several of our members are very active in the jailhouse/prison ministry and go in with these folks regularly. These friends still do this, though they are not affiliated with Forgiven at this particular time. There is a non-denominational church in Mesquite TX that is led by a pastor who is a 30 year member of one of the larger Dallas clubs, and though he retired his colors, he is still friends with those guys and is invited to attend their functions. Through our attending a couple of events his church has sponsored we have become friends with and acquaintances with not only some of the guys from his club, but also from the Prodigal Sons, the Tribe of Judah, Bikers for Christ, and several other Christian ministry groups. While the thrust and background of each group is probably a little different, we all share the bond of being Christians and loving to put our feet in the Wind. I play guitar in a Christian rock/praise band put together within our chapter and a lot of these friends have showed up to support us when we play. We all show up at a lot of "motorcycle Sunday" services around this area, and it is always good to see these friends, both of the Christian biker variety and the others as well. I was away from scoots for a few years when my kids were younger, since I re-mounted I have run into a lot of old friends from my past and made a lot of new ones. While my life has changed about 180 degrees in that time, me and the old friends are still friends and always glad to run into each other, whether at a biker service, poker run, toy run, rally, or wherever. That is one thing about this life, friendships endure over the long haul. Being in a CMA chapter gives opportunity to share what knowing Jesus has done for us with friends that we care about that may not know him yet. So you see, it is really a full time ministry without making it one, you never know when opportunity will present itself.

Just trust the spirit!

This Saturday our chapter starts the year of 2006 with our first meeting. And this will be my first meeting as Chaplain. Typically we have 40-50 in attendance, and even though I'm a "PK", I'm a bit nervous about being the new Chaplain. I just have a different style from the past Chaplain, and he'd served in the role for several years. But, that's where faith comes in...and trust in the Spirit.
You will be fine in you new role as chaplain as long as you let the Spirit lead you and trust HIM. We have a chaplain that has an unusual style, I guess you could say an off-beat sense of humour that he uses in his monthly talk. I think while sometimes controversial, it works great for him as it gets people to think, and to pay attention to the point he is making. Our prior chaplain had a similar humor and it worked for him too. The role of the chaplain in a chapter is a dual role to me, that person leads by example and his job is to bring something constructive to every meeting that will help people grow. He also has to handle some touchy situations sometimes in a Christian manner. One time before I joined our chapter, we had a brother and sister that moved in together without being married. The officers had a responsibility to the organization to go and talk to the guy about how if they were living that way they should refrain from wearing the patch until they were married to each other. This was a delicate situation, they did a superb job of handling it without any hard feelings, and as far as I know that couple obliged the request and eventually married and are still part of CMA. That is where having strong stable people that are solid in their faith is a must when electing leadership. Obviously you are of that caliber or your fellow patchholders would not have elected you chaplain. As I said, you will be fine in your new roll, just let the Spirit lead.

Interesting thread spin

Hey guys....THANKS for the encouragement!! Isn't it interesting how this thread has spun to providing encouragement....GREAT!!!!

Our first meeting of 2006 was attended by almost 50 riders!!! What a start! It's interesting to me that when in front of a business crowd of 200 colleagues, I'm not "nervous"....but in front of 50 of my friends, I'm shaking in my boots. But I wrote the message, so as not to get sidetracked.

Several brothers and sisters were very supportive before, during, and after the meeting...and they responded very favorably to the message. Our previous chaplain has been extraordinarily supportive, which is really important to me.

So, the first one's out of the way, and the rest will be easier. Yes, some of the messages will get us all thinking about things, but that's important for us to grow together.

Blessings to all!!!!!

franksam said:

Our first meeting of 2006 was attended by almost 50 riders!!! What a start!

Click to expand...

Wow..50 folks at a winter meeting in Illinois!! Must be a pretty active group. Probably just came out to see how the new Chaplain was gonna handle things!! (just kidding). Glad to hear ya made it thru with flying colors. I can relate to the nervousness issue in comparing a business deal with speaking/representing the Lord...the bar is raised quite a bit...but so does the Spiritual assistance in helping us say just the right thing. Just relying on Him is usually the hard part for me rather then thinking I've got to do it all myself and God 'll fall off His throne if I don't get it right!!! Anyway, hope things to continue to grow with your chapter and that God will continue to use you in a mighty way. Hopefully, next week I'll be attending my first CMA event here near Toledo...not sure where it will lead...just hoping to stay open to where/whatever it does.

Be safe!

deleted posting

Well, after today's work schedule and my daughter's basketball games...and laying in bed thinking over and over again...I decided to hit the Forum and respond to a posting here (earlier) about differences with National CMA leadership regarding personal behavior. But it appears that the posting has been deleted.

Let me just add a personal note, however.

CMA Colors (Backpatch) are known throughout this country to bikers everywhere...and many places internationally. And the person wearing the CMA colors is recognized...on the bike, at bike events, in the grocery store or a restaurant (locally)...with OR without the vest and/or colors being worn.

My daily job is in hospital administration, and there have been many times that I have run into bikers in my business setting...that I usually only see on weekends or on poker runs or at bike rallies and/or rodeos. They recognize me, and they wait to see if I'll approach them the same (which I do) off the "biker" field. I don't wear my colors at work...but to these bikers, I AM CMA!!! When they run into me at the hospital, at a restaurant, at a store, or anywhere, they first see me as Frank from CMA...then they see me in a different setting. We carry CMA upon us wherever we go, once we've made the decision to wear the colors.

We cannot simply remove our colors and expect our ministry to be "turned off" in order to satisfy our personal desires. CMA is a ministry...and a calling. What we do in our own home is a different story...that is our personal zone and private castle. But CMA represents a very specific ministry and, in a sense, a code of ethics and behavior...one that is recognized by the biker community.

CMA should never be considered just another club, chapter, or organization. If someone really takes the time to listen to the training series tapes, he/she will learn that they're making a commitment...to the Lord, to CMA, and to the biker community...when they choose to wear the CMA colors (backpatch)...because it carries a meaning that no other colors carries.

So, it's late...I couldn't sleep...and I've ranted a little bit. Please forgive me, but the deleted posting really kept working on my spirit, and I hope this has not been presented, nor taken, in an offense manner. AND, maybe now I'll be able to sleep.