THE BIBLE

The sixty-six books of the Bible were given by the inspiration of God’s Spirit and are not the product of human creativity or ingenuity (2 Peter 1:20-21). Every word of the Bible is inspired by God in the original manuscripts (2 Timothy 3:16; Matthew 5:18). The Bible in its original manuscripts is without error and is completely accurate in all that it affirms (John 17:17; Psalm 19:7). The Scripture is to be interpreted considering the literal, grammatical and historical aspects of a given text.

GOD THE FATHER

There is only one true and living God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-7; 1 Corinthians 8:4). God is one essence existing in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14). God is sovereign (Psalm 115:3), eternal (Isaiah 44:6), all-knowing (Psalm 139:4), all-powerful (Job 42:2), holy (Isaiah 6:1-7), unchanging (Malachi 3:6), just (Psalm 97:2) and loving (1 John 4:8).

JESUS CHRIST

Jesus is God in very essence and pre-existed as God in all His glory before His incarnation in time and space (John 8:57-58; Philippians 2:6-7). Jesus Christ became a man, a virgin born (Matthew 1:23), to redeem mankind and at that time accepted all the essential characteristics of humanity without violating or detracting from His divine essence (Hebrews 2:14-15; Philippians 2:5-8). Jesus died on the cross for our sins (John 10:15; Romans 5:8; 1 Peter 2:24), was physically raised from the dead (Romans 1:4; 1 Corinthians 15:16-20), ascended to the Father (Acts 1:9; Romans 8:34), and will return to receive his church (Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17).

THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit is coequal with the Father and the Son (Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3-4, 28:25-26; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14). The Holy Spirit regenerates the Christian at conversion (Titus 3:5-7; John 3:3-8), places the Christian into the body of Christ at conversion (1 Corinthians 12:13), indwells the Christian at conversion (1 Corinthians 6:19), and is the guarantee of the Christian’s redemption (Ephesians 1:13-14), and leads the Christian on a daily basis as he or she submits to His leadership (Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 5:18; Romans 8:14). The Holy Spirit is the Christian’s source of giftedness in ministering to the local church (1 Corinthians 12:7-11).

PEOPLE

The human race began with the direct and instantaneous creation of God (Genesis 1:26-27). Men and women are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27) and exist to glorify God (Isaiah 43:7). People forfeited their intended fellowship with God (Isaiah 59:2), incurred the penalty of spiritual and physical death (Genesis 2:16-17; Romans 5:12), became subject to the wrath of God (John 3:36), and lost the ability to be independently acceptable to God (Romans 5:6-10) through Adam’s one act of disobedience (Romans 5:12). People exist relationally separated from God and express that sinfulness in a variety of sinful acts (Isaiah 59:2; Romans 3:10-18).

SALVATION

The salvation of individuals is wholly carried out by God’s grace, based on the redemptive work of Jesus on the cross, and is in no way contributed to or accomplished by the merit or work of the individual (Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-10; 1 Peter 1:18-19). Those who repent and put their trust in Jesus as their provision for their sinful condition (Mark 1:15; Luke 24:46-47; Acts 3:19; 11:18; 20:21) are declared righteous by God (Romans 3:21-22; 8:33). From a human perspective one is saved after hearing the message of the gospel (Romans 10:14), being convicted by the Holy Spirit of sin (John 16:8-9), mentally turning from sin to God (2 Corinthians 7:9-11), placing one’s trust in Jesus as the complete and sole payment for sin (John 3:14-15). At this point God’s Spirit indwells the individual (Romans 8:9), resulting in new birth (John 3:3) which is often referred to as conversion (Matthew 18:3; Acts 15:3; Romans 16:5). Each step in the process of salvation is granted by God including repentance and faith (Acts 11:18; Ephesians 2:8). The converted individual then naturally bears fruit in keeping with the internal transformation that has taken place (2 Corinthians 5:17; Matthew 3:8; 7:17-23; John 3:36).

THE CHURCH

The universal church is composed of all Christians from Acts 2 to the rapture and is considered the complete body of Christ (Ephesians 5:22-33; Matthew 16:18; John 1:12-13). Christians gathered in geographical locations around the world with a biblical purpose (Acts 2:42-47; Philippians 3:3; Hebrews 10:24-25; Acts 1:8), biblical leadership (Titus 1:5; 1 Timothy 3; 1 Peter 5:1-3), and practicing the biblical ordinances (Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26) is what the Bible most often refers to as the church—i.e. local churches (1 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1).

THE LAST THINGS

All people will be physically resurrected (Acts 24:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:22-23), the saved to blessing and reward (2 Corinthians 4:14), the unsaved to retribution and punishment (Revelation 20:13-15; Daniel 12:2). God has appointed Jesus to judge the world (John 5:22), both Christians, concerning rewards (1 Corinthians 3:11-15), and non-Christians, concerning punishment (Revelation 20:6, 11-15; Matthew 8:12; 25:41; Revelation 14:10-11; 21:8). Christ will return for his church (Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). There will be a terrible time of Tribulation (Revelation 4-19). Christ will establish his kingdom (Revelation 20:1-9). God will ultimately provide a new heaven and a new earth where the redeemed of God will dwell forever (Revelation 21:1-22:5).

At Linked Cycling we are called to make disciples of Christ (Matthew 28:18-20). As we do, we will always work to express and maintain these eight ministry values:

1. THE BIBLE IS CENTRAL.

While the Bible is not an end in itself, it is certainly the indispensable “compass” for our knowledge and understanding of God and his plan for our lives.

(Psalm 43:3; Psalm 119:105; John 17:17; 1 Timothy 3:15)

2. WE SHOWCASE EXPOSITORY TEACHING.

Because God’s written revelation to us is ‘living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword’ it is our intention to allow it to utilize Linked members to get to our hearts and minds as they open the word and let its message out. Our goal is that Linked members won’t use the Bible to share their messages, but that the Bible will use Linked members to share its message. God’s powerful and life-changing truth!

(Hebrews 4:12)

3. WE SEEK TO MAINTAIN A HIGH VIEW OF GOD.

In a day when many have attempted to reduce God to be their spiritual therapist, it is important for us to remember that God, our Creator, is the highly exalted, transcendent, King of all things. We cannot afford to think less of God than he really is. We dare not respond to him as merely our comfortable friend and fail to worship him as our Sovereign Lord.

(Malachi 1:6-11)

4. WE WORK TO PROCLAIM A BIBLICAL GOSPEL.

It is imperative that we understand what God’s word says about how one becomes a disciple of Christ and thus a child of God. We cannot truncate, sterilize, simplify, adjust or in any other way modify the message of the gospel that was once and for all delivered to God’s people in God’s word. We will not shy away from clearly articulating God’s truth on heaven, hell, sin, judgment, repentance and faith. It will be our goal to hold tightly to a biblical gospel.

(Romans 1:16)

5. WE HAVE A GENUINE RELIANCE ON PRAYER.

We understand that the mission, the goals and the values at Linked Cycling are humanly impossible. We do not inherently possess the wherewithal to make disciples or aid them in knowing, loving and serving Christ. These are works of God and we will always rely on him as we ardently ask him to accomplish these biblical objectives among us.

(Colossians 4:2-6)

6. WE HAVE HIGHLY COMMITTED PARTICIPANTS.

To effectively and efficiently accomplish all that God has called us to do, we cannot maintain the all-too-common ‘20% of the people do 80% of the work.’ At Linked Cycling we must always encourage that “each part does its work.” (Ephesians 4:16b)

(Ephesians 4:11-16; Acts 4:34-35)

7. WE WILL LOOK TO AUTHENTIC AND SACRIFICIAL LEADERS.

The kind of people that God calls to lead at Linked Cycling is extremely important. Obviously our leaders must meet the biblical qualifications as set forth in the books of 1 Timothy and Titus. Beyond that we expect our leaders to follow in Apostle Paul’s example of being authentic, forthright, honest, hard-working and sacrificial. In a phrase we expect that our leaders set the example of saying to Christ daily: “any thing, any place, any time!”

(2 Corinthians 6:3-11; 1 Thessalonians 2:8-9)

8. WE WILL ALWAYS BE WORKING TO PLANT NEW LINKED CYCLING CHAPTERS.

It is our concern that we work to regularly launch more Bible-centric cycling groups that are resolved and constrained to move into more communities with a biblical purpose, a biblical mission and clearly maintained biblical values. It is our hope that Linked Cycling will never lose its commitment to this end.

(Acts 1:8)

Linked Cycling is a unique cycling club as it is, first and foremost, a ministry with the purpose of glorifying God in all that we do as it relates to cycling. Through knowledge of God, his character, and his statutes, we strive to set an example in the sport of cycling. We don't answer to man, but we sure do consider how we might stumble or encourage others by the choices we make on the bike. "247" is on our jerseys as a reminder that all we do is dedicated to God 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We will make sure to hold each other accountable to the laws of the road and the signs posted on and off the trails. We require that the laws of the road and trail be taken seriously and strive to have a club, team, and ministry that is open to correction and encouragement when it comes to these laws in order to attain a life of obedience - not because man is watching but because God is.

Riding for Linked Cycling means that you agree to ride to a higher standard. While wearing the team jersey, you agree to uphold the laws of the road and the standards in the county and state parks. As a Linked Cycling member, you understand that we don't answer to man but to God. We are witnesses to men, and therefore, observant of our actions on and off the bike whether wearing the Linked jersey or not.

Mandatory Helmet Policy: Linked Cycling Team and Club requires all members wearing the Linked Cycling uniform and straddling a bicycle to obey the mandatory helmet policy. Linked Cycling believes in setting the example for obeying this life-saving policy.

Rules of the Road: Linked Cycling Team and Club members, are required to follow traffic laws. Linked Cycling's policy for safe group rides states that if you are with a group of riders who make it through a changing traffic light, come to a full stop on the other side of the intersection. To avoid becoming a hazard yourself, always vocally alert others in the pack of your intention to stop. Wait for the remaining riders to stop at the signal and then continue together. The running of red lights and stop signs is illegal and not condoned. Please take this very seriously! Use common sense and courtesy toward other riders and drivers in traffic and assume responsible riding habits.

ATHLETE'S RELEASE FORM

In consideration of the acceptance of my application for membership in the Linked Cycling team, I hereby freely agree to and make the following contractual representations and agreements. I also realize this release form is a contract with serious consequences and that I have read it before signing.

I fully realize the dangers involved with bicycle riding and racing and fully assume the risks associated with such participation. These include and are not limited to: the dangers arising from equipment failure, the dangers of collision with pedestrians, vehicles, other riders, and fixed or moving objects, the dangers arising from surface damage, weather conditions, and the possibility of serious physical and/or mental trauma or injury associated with athletic cycling participation and competition.

I hereby waive, release and discharge myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, assigns, and successors in interest in any and all rights and claims which I have or which may hereafter accrue to me against the Linked Cycling team.

I agree, for myself and my successors, that the above representations are contractually binding, and are not mere recitals, and that should I or my successors assert my claim in contravention of this agreement, I or my successors shall be liable for the expense (including legal fees) incurred by the other party or parties in defending such claim. This agreement may not be modified orally, and a waiver of any provision shall not be construed as a modification of any other provision herein or as consent to any subsequent waiver or modification.

By signing this release, I agree to release my contact information to the sponsors of the team for marketing purposes. I understand that I may receive unsolicited information from those sponsors.