What about a motorcycle

I was a student pastor when I rode my first bike. No money and no vehicle and church 50 miles down the highway. The bike was given to me by a senior member of my home church.

In those days, as pastors, we wore tails and striped trousers. I tucked my tail in and off I went. Parking the bike out back I went into the church for the morning services. No one said a word!

After the service, the deacons announced a meeting with me. They didn't think it was appropriate for a pastor to ride a motorcyce. Now, do keep in mind, this was the time of the motorcycle gangs and the bike did not present a very churchly image.

The following Sunday, I arranged to borrow a horse and saddle from a local farmer, and rode the horse to the church. I tied it up outback, took the service and not a word was said. On Monday morning, there was a lovely back Morris Minor motorcar parked in the pastor's space and the key in the envelope... "Pastor, we want you to have this car as our gift..."

I don't think a motorbike has the same connotation in to-day's society and personally would not object to a pastor riding one.

I also think there is a point where what a pastor does can have an affect on the members, and one should always keep this in mind, when doing anything.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Maybe it's different in the midwest but in the medical field in the east, we call them donor-cycles.

It doesn't matter how careful you are; all you need is one bad driver, distracted on a cell phone, and you're an organ donor.

IMO, make sure you have plenty of long-term disability insurance and that you have a ready assistant pastor.

On the positive side, the church might be able to pay off it's mortgage if it takes out a large enough life insurance policy on you.

Rob

 

To me a motorcycle is two wheels and a roof short of being a real vehicle ... think I decided that when I woke up in hospital after comming off one .. ..

Got no problems with other people riding them to church, just not in church please.

Regards
Bob

 

Maybe it is that gal with the cell that can't turn the steering wheel hard enough with one hand that she almost smacks you, or the guy with a cell in each ear driving with his elbows that nearly gets you, or the nut that doesn't look both ways and runs the stop sign or the guy that decided not to drive and talk and parks blocking the crosswalk to avoid being dangerous or the ....

And actually in all the years I've been driving I cannot remember once a near miss over a burger, coke or coffee, no matter how hard people try to say it is the same.


Why yes I am one of those that does not have a cell phone so is prejudiced :thumbs:

As to the original post, cycles are not the problem they used to be and I doubt it would be a problem in most churches but certainly if you think it might be it would be great if you would check with those that might be offended. After all we all have seen the black leather jacket on the bike that says "My God Is a Biker," so what can be wrong with it :smilewinkgrin:

 

Go For It!

In 2003 one of the families in my church gave me a new motorcycle (Yamaha Road Star) for Pastor's Appreciation Day. No one in the church seemed to mind. Frankly, I would not have cared if they had.

In 2004, I sold the bike and got a 2004 model. In 2005, I sold the 2004 and bought a 2005.

A year ago I got out of the bike business mainly because I cringed at the thought of having a wreck...one that would surely disable me or kill me. I like living too much!

Now I enjoy driving my Vette. Most of my church members, especially the men, think it is pretty cool to have an almost 60-year old pastor who drives a Vette!