Chapter Health
CHAPTER PRESIDENT’S ROLE
few weeks ago, I received a
request asking for advice. The
individual wanted to know what five
things a Chapter President should
focus on this next year. Wow, what a
great question, but where do you
start?
The Chapter President’s role is to
lead the chapter. The CMA hand-
book tells us that chapters are the
lifeblood of CMA, made up of mem-
bers spreading the light of Christ.
Chapters are part of something big-
ger than themselves and support
the overall vision of the ministry. It
also tells us that a good chapter is
balanced in prayer, fellowship, disci-
pleship, and evangelism.
The handbook’s description of the
Chapter President’s role states that
they work with other chapter offi-
cers to determine a vision for the
chapter and lead the chapter
towards that vision. We read that
the office involves a commitment to
chapter members and the secular
community. The Chapter President
promotes and attends CMA state
and national events. He/she needs
to resolve issues and communicate
with state leadership and chapter
members, but they also need to lis-
ten. They are to hold monthly officer
meetings and have a prepared
agenda for chapter meetings.
It sounds to me like the Chapter
President needs to be an adminis-
trator, visionary, communicator,
problem solver, listener, and leader.
They are committed to chapter
members and secular bikers, hold
officer meetings, lead chapter meet-
A
ings, and also attend and promote
CMA state and national events.
That’s a pretty big task for some-
one; if they had to do it all on their
own.
Thankfully, God has placed a call
on each of our lives and has selected
a president for each of our CMA
chapters. Scripture tells us that “all
authority comes from God, and
those in positions of authority have
been placed there by God” (Romans
13:1, NLT). Serving as Chapter
President is a tremendous privilege
and responsibility. In order to do the
role justice, a Chapter President will
have to have a strong personal rela-
tionship with the Lord, and listen to
His leading and follow His guiding.
So with all of that in mind, what
five things should a Chapter
President focus on? Well first, there
is a responsibility to chapter officers.
As Christians, we are recognized by
our unity and love for each other.
This is especially important for those
in leadership. Investing in the lives of
chapter officers is key to having a
unified chapter. Communicate with
them frequently. Listen to their con-
cerns and suggestions. Encourage
their spiritual growth.
Second, encourage your mem-
bership to grow in CMA by attending
state and national events and taking
part in Run for the Son. As members
become involved at these levels,
they become more aware of how
the ministry of CMA is impacting the
world.
Third, the Chapter President is
often the face of CMA out in the
community. This would include
motorcycle shops, secular clubs,
community service organizations,
and churches. Make a point of going
out with another chapter officer or
member and meet key people in
these businesses and organizations.
When the need or opportunity arise,
they will know who to call. This is
also an excellent way to mentor
younger members and get them
involved in outreach.
Fourth, I’ve found that the most
successful, active, growing chapters
are those who meet frequently. The
members get together nearly week-
ly to ride, minister, fellowship, and
attend meetings or Bible studies.
They’ve made CMA a priority in their
lives. An added benefit is that others
see them sharing life together and
want to become part of such an
organization.
And finally, ensure that your
chapter is well balanced in prayer,
fellowship, discipleship, and evan-
gelism. But, remember that CMA
was birthed to be an evangelistic
ministry; primarily but not exclusive-
ly, to the motorcycling community.
We can have a unified chapter with
great prayer, fellowship, and disci-
pleship, but if we are not sharing
Jesus Christ with a lost, hurting, and
dying world, we have missed our
call. Don’t ever forget that our vision
is changing the world, one heart at a
time. CMA
Mark and Tammy Heid oversee
the Rocky Mountain Region as
National Evangelist.
By MARK Heid