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God's Biker: Motorcycles and Misfits
'An extraordinary, authentic example of discipleship, and the honouring and validation of the radiant "broken jewels" on society's margins. ' Stewart Henderson, poet, broadcaster and lyricist
Zac’s Place is a church in Swansea. It is a small chaotic community of Jesus followers where some of the most fragile of life’s walking wounded try to work out their faith. It’s also the spiritual home for the local chapter of God’s Squad motorcycle club.
Zac’s Place, founded in 1998, is led by Sean Stillman, whose front-line ministry has cost him dearly and has included physical beatings. In Zac’s Place, chaos and disorder sit alongside community and grace in an environment resembling an AA meeting mixed with a casualty department.
This is Sean’s personal story of a transformed faith amid the broken, the church community that formed from it and the European-wide growth of an unlikely bunch of biker missionaries. God’s Biker asks the questions, ‘What if it’s not about perfection? What if it’s about beauty in broken places?’
Zac’s Place is a church in Swansea. It is a small chaotic community of Jesus followers where some of the most fragile of life’s walking wounded try to work out their faith. It’s also the spiritual home for the local chapter of God’s Squad motorcycle club.
Zac’s Place, founded in 1998, is led by Sean Stillman, whose front-line ministry has cost him dearly and has included physical beatings. In Zac’s Place, chaos and disorder sit alongside community and grace in an environment resembling an AA meeting mixed with a casualty department.
This is Sean’s personal story of a transformed faith amid the broken, the church community that formed from it and the European-wide growth of an unlikely bunch of biker missionaries. God’s Biker asks the questions, ‘What if it’s not about perfection? What if it’s about beauty in broken places?’
- GenresAutobiography
224 pages, Hardcover
Published September 20, 2018
6 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 30, 2019
Sean Stillman is a preacher and a biker, this book shows how he’s combined his two passions to take the word of God to the outcasts, the vulnerable, the fragile and those who find traditional church not very welcoming. Sean was instrumental in setting up the God Squad a bikers club, and also Zac’s Place, a church in Swansea. The book gives you an insight into biker culture and what a difficult journey it was for Sean and others, the physical and mental abuse they suffered just because of what they believed in. Because of the type of people Sean is working with, death is never far away, and some of the stories are heartbreaking. But the book gives you hope as well, hope that no matter what has happened in your life you can always find a community that lifts you back up.
August 18, 2020
God's Biker by Sean Stillman
I chose this rating because it was so refreshing to see the way the author took his compassion for people considered to be the dregs of society, and demonstrated God's love to them in practical ways. He showed that rejected people have worth in God's eyes and also in his, by living what he believed in a forthright, honest way. I have great admiration for him.
I chose this rating because it was so refreshing to see the way the author took his compassion for people considered to be the dregs of society, and demonstrated God's love to them in practical ways. He showed that rejected people have worth in God's eyes and also in his, by living what he believed in a forthright, honest way. I have great admiration for him.
January 20, 2020
Let me start by saying that the nature of this book is way outside my normal subject for reading. However, having said that I really enjoyed it.
I met Sean Stillman many years ago when I was running a Christian motorcycle group named R+O+L+L (Riders of the Living Lord). Sean at that time was a member of the CMA (Christian Motorcycle Association) which is referred to in his book. For one reason and another R+O+L+L didn't succeed but it did sow some seeds.
Sean's book tells it like it is for Christian bikers in what can be a very non-Christian environment, warts and all. It at times uplifting and inspirational and at others very moving. Above all it is very well written. Obviously since it is about his life as an on the road minister there is a lot about that aspect of his life naturally but this is interspersed with the formation of the first English chapter of the God's Squad which began in Australia. Also included is the story of Zac's Place in the heart of Swansea and of course the perils of a ministerial life on the road and among the non-sectarian motorcycle clubs some of whom were very anti what Sean and his colleagues were doing.
As I say, it is very well written and puts the reader right at the heart of the story. Read it and learn.
I met Sean Stillman many years ago when I was running a Christian motorcycle group named R+O+L+L (Riders of the Living Lord). Sean at that time was a member of the CMA (Christian Motorcycle Association) which is referred to in his book. For one reason and another R+O+L+L didn't succeed but it did sow some seeds.
Sean's book tells it like it is for Christian bikers in what can be a very non-Christian environment, warts and all. It at times uplifting and inspirational and at others very moving. Above all it is very well written. Obviously since it is about his life as an on the road minister there is a lot about that aspect of his life naturally but this is interspersed with the formation of the first English chapter of the God's Squad which began in Australia. Also included is the story of Zac's Place in the heart of Swansea and of course the perils of a ministerial life on the road and among the non-sectarian motorcycle clubs some of whom were very anti what Sean and his colleagues were doing.
As I say, it is very well written and puts the reader right at the heart of the story. Read it and learn.
January 10, 2019
Lots of excellent insights on doing ministry in the margins.
February 11, 2023
I will reread some pages in this book again and again. Beautiful style of writing.
October 19, 2020
Great read. Quite a departure from my usual fare but as a Christian I am always interested in stories of mission, particularly on the margins of society.
Sean’s career and this book certainly ticks that box. His faith is immensely strong and deep-rooted and this shines through his writing but not in a ‘preaching’ sort of way.
Anyone who is or was a biker will also enjoy the part motorcycles play in Sean’s life & mission.
The book gives a glimpse into a strata of society many will have had no experience of so may be an ‘eye-opener’.
Sean’s career and this book certainly ticks that box. His faith is immensely strong and deep-rooted and this shines through his writing but not in a ‘preaching’ sort of way.
Anyone who is or was a biker will also enjoy the part motorcycles play in Sean’s life & mission.
The book gives a glimpse into a strata of society many will have had no experience of so may be an ‘eye-opener’.
November 2, 2021
An amazing book.
Raw, honest, well written, full of compassion, joy, sadness, stories, and in a down to earth 'normal' way of what it means to love, serve and be a Christian today. Reaching out to those on the margin, being on the margins, and how much love and Jesus there is here.
A really inspiring, heartwarming, challenging, honest book that encourages to you ask questions of yourself, how you live, what you see around you, what is 'mainstream', 'normal' and how Church can and should look with faith, love, and going there yourself.
In particular, the chapters where Sean describes meeting his wife and their journey thus far together, his time in Ukraine, the Beautites and Creativity and Art are inspiring, emotional, and beautiful.
Raw, honest, well written, full of compassion, joy, sadness, stories, and in a down to earth 'normal' way of what it means to love, serve and be a Christian today. Reaching out to those on the margin, being on the margins, and how much love and Jesus there is here.
A really inspiring, heartwarming, challenging, honest book that encourages to you ask questions of yourself, how you live, what you see around you, what is 'mainstream', 'normal' and how Church can and should look with faith, love, and going there yourself.
In particular, the chapters where Sean describes meeting his wife and their journey thus far together, his time in Ukraine, the Beautites and Creativity and Art are inspiring, emotional, and beautiful.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews