Christian Motorcyclists Association
Encyclopedia
The Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA) is an international Christian
, interdenominational, non-profit organization
established in 1975. Its purpose is evangelizing
to the motorcycling
community.
an Arkansas pastor who purchased a motorcycle to close the generation gap with his rebellious son. As they rode together to biker events and rallies, it was apparent that the church had no outreach toward motorcyclists. At first, he prayed that others would take this mantle of ministry, but he accepted the task and began evangelizing alone at motorcycle rallies
. In 1975, he resigned from his church to start CMA.
The organization grew to over 125,000 members and over 800 chapters in all 50 states, and then gained chapters in 22 foreign countries, through the CMA International Ministry. René Changuion started CMA South Africa in 1980 and was the first country to be in the CMA International Coalition, now called CMA International. The UK organization was formed in 1983 when members of the Christian Bikers Association, established in the UK in 1979, approached the CMA in the USA and South Africa.
For most of its history, CMA has attracted, and been attractive to, motorcyclists in the 'cruiser' motorcycle category. Currently, the membership seems evenly split between 'cruisers' and 'tourers' with a new emphasis being put on 'sport' bikers
with their Fast Lane ministry, CMA South Africa is predominantly sports bike riders as of much of the country, and CMA Off Road for quad sports.
This is a separate entity from Christian Motorcyclists Association in Australia which was formed around the same era.
CMA is not a club but a ministry
. This distinguishes CMA from other biker organizations
that associate due to manufacturer brand
loyalty or riding style. CMA's ministry team program is designed to "make ministers of their members." This implies a breakdown of the traditional distinction between clergy and laity that exist in most Christian ministries. Members are associated with the national organization and then independently may become members of local chapters.
CMA operates under a Board of Directors working in conjunction with six regional evangelists, a Lead evangelist, and Special Events Evangelist, in order to support the goals and objectives of the organization. The current Chairman is John Ogden, Sr. This leadership team oversees CMA from a national level by appointing other state, area, and local leaders across the country. The headquarters is in Hatfield, Arkansas
.
CMA sponsors a once-a-year fundraiser and ride (1st Sat. in May), called "Run For The Son," which raises money for home missions in the U.S. (CMA outreach), and supports three other international evangelism ministries - The Jesus Film Project, Open Doors, and Missionary Ventures (see link below). CMA holds state, regional, and national (usually divided between east and west) rallies
. These rallies are times of "fellowship, praise and worship," bike games, and support.
One of CMA's major outreaches to open communication with sport bike riders is to offer gear checks at races or rallies.
Any participant can drop off their helmets and jackets at a designated CMA drop-off point and receive a tag to claim their items later. All services are offered free of charge.
CMA publishes a monthly magazine, "Heartbeat" and sells merchandise through its "Goodie" store, only to CMA members. The merchandise includes tracts, accessories, and merchandise sporting the CMA logo. Merchandise sporting the CMA logo over a certain size, such as the CMA back patch, can only be used by members who have completed the organization's ministry team training series.
The CMA is a member of Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability
(ECFA) and Evangelical Press Association
(EPA).
CMA (UK), which has an estimated 1,000 members,
has an outreach arm called Holy Joe's whose members provide a cafe and helmet park at motorcycling shows and events. Proceeds from these and HJ's annual bike show are donated to charities such as emergency medical motorcycle couriers Freewheelers EVS
.
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
, interdenominational, non-profit organization
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
established in 1975. Its purpose is evangelizing
Evangelism
Evangelism refers to the practice of relaying information about a particular set of beliefs to others who do not hold those beliefs. The term is often used in reference to Christianity....
to the motorcycling
Motorcycling
Motorcycling is the act of riding a motorcycle. A variety of subcultures and lifestyles have been built up around motorcycling.-Benefits:Robert M. Pirsig's book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance was a paean celebrating motorcycling...
community.
History
CMA was started by Herb Shreve,an Arkansas pastor who purchased a motorcycle to close the generation gap with his rebellious son. As they rode together to biker events and rallies, it was apparent that the church had no outreach toward motorcyclists. At first, he prayed that others would take this mantle of ministry, but he accepted the task and began evangelizing alone at motorcycle rallies
Motorcycle rally
A motorcycle rally is a gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts. Rallies can be large or small, and one-time or recurring. Some rallies are ride-in events, whereas some like the Iron Butt Rally involve days of riding and an actual gathering only at the end of the ride.-North America:Notable annual...
. In 1975, he resigned from his church to start CMA.
The organization grew to over 125,000 members and over 800 chapters in all 50 states, and then gained chapters in 22 foreign countries, through the CMA International Ministry. René Changuion started CMA South Africa in 1980 and was the first country to be in the CMA International Coalition, now called CMA International. The UK organization was formed in 1983 when members of the Christian Bikers Association, established in the UK in 1979, approached the CMA in the USA and South Africa.
For most of its history, CMA has attracted, and been attractive to, motorcyclists in the 'cruiser' motorcycle category. Currently, the membership seems evenly split between 'cruisers' and 'tourers' with a new emphasis being put on 'sport' bikers
Sport bike
A sport bike, also written as sportbike, is a motorcycle optimized for speed, acceleration, braking, and cornering on paved roads, typically at the expense of comfort and fuel economy in comparison to less specialized motorcycles...
with their Fast Lane ministry, CMA South Africa is predominantly sports bike riders as of much of the country, and CMA Off Road for quad sports.
This is a separate entity from Christian Motorcyclists Association in Australia which was formed around the same era.
Organization
CMA is not a club but a ministry
Christian ministry
In Christianity, ministry is an activity carried out by Christians to express or spread their faith. 2003's Encyclopedia of Christianity defines it as "carrying forth Christ's mission in the world", indicating that it is "conferred on each Christian in baptism." It is performed by all Christians...
. This distinguishes CMA from other biker organizations
Motorcycle club
A motorcycle club is a group of individuals whose primary interest and activities involve motorcycles.In the U.S. the abbreviation, MC or MCC, can have a special social meaning from the point of view of the outlaw subcultures, and is usually reserved by them for those clubs that are mutually...
that associate due to manufacturer brand
Brand
The American Marketing Association defines a brand as a "Name, term, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies one seller's good or service as distinct from those of other sellers."...
loyalty or riding style. CMA's ministry team program is designed to "make ministers of their members." This implies a breakdown of the traditional distinction between clergy and laity that exist in most Christian ministries. Members are associated with the national organization and then independently may become members of local chapters.
CMA operates under a Board of Directors working in conjunction with six regional evangelists, a Lead evangelist, and Special Events Evangelist, in order to support the goals and objectives of the organization. The current Chairman is John Ogden, Sr. This leadership team oversees CMA from a national level by appointing other state, area, and local leaders across the country. The headquarters is in Hatfield, Arkansas
Hatfield, Arkansas
Hatfield is a town in Polk County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 402 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Hadfield is located at ....
.
Events and outreach
CMA, as an organization and through the initiative of individual members, is involved in motorcycling events across the US and in evangelistic efforts to U.S. prisons. The "Seasons of Refreshing" conferences, conducted by CMA regional evangelists, prepare members for ministry in the coming rally season. The regional evangelists are full-time ministry staff who also have significant administrative responsibilities.CMA sponsors a once-a-year fundraiser and ride (1st Sat. in May), called "Run For The Son," which raises money for home missions in the U.S. (CMA outreach), and supports three other international evangelism ministries - The Jesus Film Project, Open Doors, and Missionary Ventures (see link below). CMA holds state, regional, and national (usually divided between east and west) rallies
Motorcycle rally
A motorcycle rally is a gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts. Rallies can be large or small, and one-time or recurring. Some rallies are ride-in events, whereas some like the Iron Butt Rally involve days of riding and an actual gathering only at the end of the ride.-North America:Notable annual...
. These rallies are times of "fellowship, praise and worship," bike games, and support.
One of CMA's major outreaches to open communication with sport bike riders is to offer gear checks at races or rallies.
Any participant can drop off their helmets and jackets at a designated CMA drop-off point and receive a tag to claim their items later. All services are offered free of charge.
CMA publishes a monthly magazine, "Heartbeat" and sells merchandise through its "Goodie" store, only to CMA members. The merchandise includes tracts, accessories, and merchandise sporting the CMA logo. Merchandise sporting the CMA logo over a certain size, such as the CMA back patch, can only be used by members who have completed the organization's ministry team training series.
The CMA is a member of Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability
Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability
The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability is an accreditation agency to promote fiscal integrity and sound financial practices among member organizations. Founded in 1979, it comprises over 2,000 evangelical Christian organizations which qualify for tax-exempt, nonprofit status and...
(ECFA) and Evangelical Press Association
Evangelical Press Association
The Evangelical Press Association is a professional association serving the Christian periodical publishing industry. Its members produce some 300 periodical titles with a combined circulation of over 20 million. EPA is a religious and educational non-profit corporation under the laws of the state...
(EPA).
CMA (UK), which has an estimated 1,000 members,
has an outreach arm called Holy Joe's whose members provide a cafe and helmet park at motorcycling shows and events. Proceeds from these and HJ's annual bike show are donated to charities such as emergency medical motorcycle couriers Freewheelers EVS
Freewheelers EVS
Freewheelers Emergency Voluntary Service is a registered charity based in South West England. The charity was founded in Weston-super-Mare in 1990....
.