Christian woodworking clubs?

Well, probably lots of Christians here. I’m one but don’t really connect the two usually.

Interesting piece of Christian info I can share though. Christ was a “builder” as it translates in the bible. He was not a carpenter. Very little wood where he was. Carpenters were considered highly skilled and fairly high paid craftsmen with a rare cache of tools. Metals were scarce and difficult to come by back then. Builders where rock layers. You see even today rows upon rows of flat roofed rock houses in the middle east today. The job was difficult and considered a fairly low grade profession.

I hope you find some like minded.

-- The smell of wood, coffee in the cup, the wife let's me do my thing, the lake is peaceful. http://web.me.com/deceiver6/Deceiver/Craftsman_on_the_lake/Craftsman_on_the_lake.html

Daniel,

Thank you for your response. You gave more details about the “carpenters” in Jusus’ time/place than I had known. But that is not the reason I thought of the possibility of a Christian woodworkers club.

I meet a lot of woodworkers at our area community college evening woodshop class. I guess I have found woodworkers to be, on the average, to be on the high end of patient, honest, gracious, etc., etc. And beside that, it may be another good reason to hang out at church, which also has great meeting space.

Thanks again for the history brief.

-- Keith, NW Alabama

Well, I didn’t have an answer to your question. But when I saw it I just thought I’d pass on a bit of very interesting information I had come across awhile ago. So, the next time someone says “well if you’re a carpenter you’re in good company”. The trivia makes for interesting conversation. I guess Jesus had more in common with masons huh?

-- The smell of wood, coffee in the cup, the wife let's me do my thing, the lake is peaceful. http://web.me.com/deceiver6/Deceiver/Craftsman_on_the_lake/Craftsman_on_the_lake.html

no offense, but I find the fact that Lumberjocks is universal (not only geographically) very appealing. If I had to organize a local woodworking club (which is hard enough to find local people with a passion for woodworking and the time to attend a club) I’d try to make it as universal, and as open-door policy as possible -the more people, the more ideas, the more knowledge, the more experience = the better. the last thing I’d want is to put boundries, and limit the mind-space of such club.

maybe it’s just me. but I really like the fact of having people from all around the world, from many countries, with many different views and beliefs, and joining together under the common umbrella which is woodworking

just my $0.02

-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

I can see the merits of having such a club. But having a club for woodworkers that doesn’t discriminate or even mention it being a church or Christian affiliated organization may be more successful. The reason why is in a lot of people’s minds, a “Christian” club brings up images of awkward, intimate moments in a group that the person may not be comfortable with in the first place.

A friend of mine once ran a Christian dance club in Tulsa. He did well for the first few months, but it fell off after a while. Even though there was no bible study or preaching done to anyone coming the door, there were still a lot of people that we invited to come out who just didn’t want to go because of the word “Christian” in the title. And these were Christians!

Putting the implication of churchy-ness with an organization will most certainly reduce your attendance.

I would suggest asking around at your church if anyone would like to hang out one Saturday morning or Thursday night and build or trade technique or just talk about woodworking. You may be able to build up a small club that is based on church goers but not get the (and this sounds horrible) stigma associated with Christian events.

~DB

-- He said wood...http://hickbyassociation.blogspot.com/

PurpLev and DannyBoy,

PurpLev – your response is worth way more than $0.02!

I find both responses very helpful. I hope there are more to come.

I attended local woodcarvers club monthly meetings somewhat frequently for about 18 mos. They have survived for many years but tend to struggle at times to maintain their meeting room reservation at a city recreation center. There are not enough public meeting rooms/times available to meet various club demands. I guess I am hoping to hear that partnering with a Christian theme would be an asset.

I’m still optimistic and will see what develops.

Thank you so much for your input.

-- Keith, NW Alabama

You could always try and see. You may find more interest that you’d think. And if not it may still be worth the effort.
MANY years ago I played on a church softball league. Wasn’t my church but was asked by several team members to play. I got to tell you there was no assumption or reflection of religion other than it being a church league. For reasons I won’t go into I didn’t go but twice. I was stunned by the attitudes, language, poor sportsmanship, and many other things. Don’t jump ahead of me. At the time I drank like a fish, tried almost anything that was offered, had few redeeming factors in my life, and wasn’t looking for salvation or anything else but the chance to play good softball. I assure you I got educated! I then joined an industrial league and played on a team that was courteous, respectful, and played outstanding softball.
Religious influence isn’t always where we assume it will be.
Just meeting at a church facility or calling it a Christian wood working group may or may not garner the interest of the sort of people you are hoping to associate with.
Would you rather have good woodworkers that may not live the life you’d hope, or have good Christian fellowship with people that have little woodworking knoweldge and skills? Just things to ponder. If you get both then kudos! And if one is lacking perhaps it may be the spark to build what is missing.
Keep in mind “when two or three are gathered together”.....
This website is indeed global. One reason I like it is the vast expanse it covers. One reason I go to another site is that it is directed to my home state. I’ll probably never meet some of these wonderful people from other countries. On the other site I’ve met quite a few people and the chance to gather with them on occassion and work together is great. I’m also participating with a more local club that gathers monthly. The chance to get direct help actually exists. One affects the other very little, except in that I only have so much time.
GO for it. Good luck and hope it pans out.

-- CaptnA - "When someone hurts you, write it in the sand so the winds of forgiveness will scatter the memory... "

I would think that if one were to mix woodworking with a religion perhaps shintoism or buddhism would probably attract more skilled wood artisans. I guess if one really wanted to form an exclusive club , the character Jesus would probably not join it. Besides…woodworking isnt a club…it’s a relationship. :)

-- Dan, Sterling Alaska, http://sullcon.homestead.com/ Before you criticise some one, walk a mile in their shoes...then you will be a mile away and you have their shoes!

toolman ….some people just can’t help commenting, when they should mind their own business. There’s about a billion Christians in the world today, more than enough, that love woodworking. You will have to put up with the atheist that like to throw their $.02 worth in, which is $.02 more than their opinion is worth. Don’t worry, it’s not unholy to belong to a club, but I think having relationships with wood, probably is. I saw Jimi Hendrix have relationships with his guitar, on stage, at the Monterey Pop Festival, back in the sixties. Really pretty disgusting. Asian woodworkers would be a great contribution to any club, no sense in leaving them out, just because they don’t believe in Christ. Some of the parables Jesus told were told by Budda, 400 years before Christ was born (parable of the good Samaratan). Did you know, that Budda was asked, “Are you the messiah?” Budda said, “No, I am just a man, who is wide awake.”

Let me know if you start your club. I’m sure you wont descriminate against anyone…....like any good Cristian or Christ would do….....................yoda

I would get offend if I was someone worthy. I was just pointing out that the japanese were extremely talented woodworkers. I don’t think calling people names or labeling them or making assumptions about their beliefs, when you know nothing about them, reinforces your testimony to your lack of prejudice or your goodness. I don’t know about you, but I sure wouldn’t join any club that limits it’s membership to people like me. “like minded” sounds discriminating, doesn’t it? I certainly wasn’t “like minded” with any one that frequented music concerts featuring people like jimmy hendrix. I was way too discriminating for events like that.

-- Dan, Sterling Alaska, http://sullcon.homestead.com/ Before you criticise some one, walk a mile in their shoes...then you will be a mile away and you have their shoes!

One vote for separation of church and wood.

-- Just 'cause a cat has kittens in the oven, it don't make 'em biscuits.

Whoa…whoa…please…...

I’m only looking for helpful responses.

I don’t want to offend anyone here and I hope those responding will be considerate of my request.

Thank you

-- Keith, NW Alabama

Hiya Toolman, take a look here…... http://www.snowcrest.net/rbemis/gfly.html See if it gives you some ideas you can use. Maybe a small group of guys could get together and do some good.
Chat later?
Rocky/Redding, CA

-- I know the Creator of wood......Yeah, I'm a name dropper. : )

I don’t think toolman was being offensive just asking a question No I would vote for things without these borders a christian only group would be a different ball game alrogether and I would only watch from the sidelines .Alistair

-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease

I just wanted to apologize for my comments earlier….As I re read what was said I see it differently, and don’t know why I got so riled…..must be the meds, after that crash my son and I were in…..in any case I’m sorry
mic….please accept my apology…......................yoda

You can always give it a try toolman. There are other woodworking clubs that are specific in their membership. There are women’s woodworking clubs, there are woodworking guilds for professionals only. That doesn’t even count clubs devoted to only one type of woodworking (turners, carvers, etc).

If you do a google search you’ll find some existing christian woodworking groups that might be able to point you in the direction you’d like to go. Here’s one I found in just a few seconds of searching.

www.mswoodworkers.com

You might find more people with an interest in your idea if you start with christian groups and ask if there’s any interest in forming a woodworking club than starting with woodworkers and asking if there’s any interest in a christian woodworking club. I could be wrong of course but it just seems like you’d have more luck that way.

Good luck in your search.

-- Allen, Milwaukee, WI

There’s nothing more offensive than someone who claims to be christian coming in and calling people that don’t share same beliefs or says that they might should be separate, are atheists. The old rule, don’t discuss politics, religion or abortion with ANYONE, unless you are prepared to debate endlessly, comes to mind.

People here who don’t express an interest in discussing christian beliefs aren’t automatically atheists, they are sensible. This is why religion being brought up, always get’s people riled up. If you say it, it’s because you mean it, you can’t take back what you didn’t edit within the first hour of posting the thoughts. Don’t blame your reaction/posting style on meds, even if only a joke, that’s SO lame.

Frankly I’m tired of the not so subtle ide at this place, that if you aren’t telling everyone you are a god fearing christian, then you aren’t as good as some other people here. THIS has got to stop! THIS is a woodworking site, NOT a religious site. No matter if you want to throw in that “but the bible says that Joseph was a woodworker”...

I happen to be in the group that says you shouldn’t go for exclusiveness, but should try to get people that love woodworking. If you ONLY want christians, than try asking around church only, otherwise, you’ll probably get people you don’t agree with, and bad feelings MAY form. Usually not so rightfully so. There are GREAT people with GREAT knowledge that don’t have anything to do with christianity, or any religion, that doesn’t make them bad people, because their beliefs may be different.

This isn’t my 2 cents worth, that’s my whole dollar!

-- Respect your shop tools and they will respect you - Ric

yoda..it’s all good. We all have baggage. peace

-- Dan, Sterling Alaska, http://sullcon.homestead.com/ Before you criticise some one, walk a mile in their shoes...then you will be a mile away and you have their shoes!

I think that just as Purplev said, adding any boundaries on a club will cause problems getting people to come. If you want woodworkers that are Christian you isolate ones that aren’t , if you want Christians that are woodworkers you isolate the ones that aren’t. If there were a club with way too many woodworkers in it, ROTFL, then maybe you could get a seperate group, but I haven’t seen it. The woodworkers group by me, the TWA, are having a problem getting woodworkers to join as it is, especially young guys.

Good luck with your endeavour.

Jimmy

-- -JimmyC...Clayton,NC- "Just smile and wave boys, smile and wave"

let’s put it this way:
let’s suppose Toolman is gay. He is looking for info – help- tips about making a Gay Woodworking Group in his area or his City….

IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THIS????

SO, BECAUSE HE IS GAY (I’m still supposing), I”M GOING TO BE MAD BECAUSE I AM STRAIGHT??????

-- Francisco Luna, San Francisco Bay Area.

who’s mad?
I thought this was the coffee lounge. Don’t obcess over woodworking…it’s weird.

-- Dan, Sterling Alaska, http://sullcon.homestead.com/ Before you criticise some one, walk a mile in their shoes...then you will be a mile away and you have their shoes!

It really blows me away that there are so many people that have nothing to contribute but garbage. Try posting a project or two, not just 100 stupid comments in 65 days

-- Chris

Toolman’s Gay? When did that happen? ... Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

-- Just 'cause a cat has kittens in the oven, it don't make 'em biscuits.

My reply I wrote last night did not get posted, for some reason. In case it appears, belatedly, I’ll just repeat a brief….

Married 39 years and counting, three married children, four beautiful grandchildren, blessed more than I deserve! Straight.

On this thread, please refrain from debating issues not related dirrectly to the subject. No one is going to be manipulated, intimidated or forced to do anything they don’t want, here. If you don’t like the subject or whatever, please pass on this thread. Please let unrelated replies just… whatever. I’m okay. I appreciate what is helpful and can let the rest slide.

-- Keith, NW Alabama

Toolsman,
I never said you are gay. I was just making a comparison, but now I realize it was disrespectful….I’m really sorry!

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’[a] If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.”
Jesus

-- Francisco Luna, San Francisco Bay Area.

Doublehead and others,

Really, I don’t feel offended. I believe I have the feedback I need to make some determinations on how I want to proceed.

The hits I get on Google are due to “Woodworker” and/or “clubs”. When I go to their sites, there is no mention or match with “Christian”.

I did not get any first hand contact with any such clubs, which leads me to believe that it would be a real challenge. I probably will not present it to our leadership. And that’s okay.

Thanks everyone

-- Keith, NW Alabama

Can’t we all just be woodworkers…Christian, Jew, atheist, agnostic, gay, straight, male, female… whatever????
What makes this site so great is that we are all-encompassing and very affirming.
PLEASE – don’t get political…or religious…or limiting!
The one thing we share is a love of woodworking…regardless of our personal beliefs!
Thanks everyone for being encouraging and enthusiastic about anything that has to do with woodworking – from the most basic project to the most complex – everyone on this site is awesome in their encouragement of everyone else…for that I am most grateful!

-- Ellen on Cape Cod

You don’t really specify why you want your ww’ing club to be Christian. Now it got me thinking, perhaps he want’s to do Christian things with wwing. And by that I thiink of being benevolent and generous to those in need, sort of like a charity club. Not that those who aren’t Christian can’t be generous and kind it’s just something that’s emphasised in Chriistianity. So I assume that would be the point of the club. I’m not sure what you would make; perhaps toys for Christmas presents or something like that. Is this what you had in mind? A club that gets together to make things for others in need? Not a bad idea; I wish I had more time for that kind of thing … someday.

anybody add up all the $0.02 in this posting, I need some change to buy a cup of coffee

my $0.02…I have wondered about a woodworking group with people with similar beliefs as myself, but I also find so much knowledge in sites like this with such a great diversity. What I’ve done is to find people in my church (mostly men) with a desire to serve others by doing home repairs, projects etc, and used that as a forum to share my skills (sad as they may be) in woodworking with people who share my beliefs. It is amazing how many young men want someone to take them under wing and teach them how to run a table saw, or cut a miter.

This gives me the personal connection I desire with people of similar faith along with the benefit of woodworking.

I still keep keep coming back here to the LJ’s because the wood is the tie that binds LJ’s together, and the knowledge is amazing. Personally, I like seeing the diversity among us anyway

Heck, if there is an athiestic shinto muslim hindu lesbian triathlete out there who can teach me to cut better dovetails, I’m all ears

-- "If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most logical explantion is that I was made for another world." -C.S. Lewis

Well said Dan….I can’t see why BOTH types of clubs can’t exist and the ASMHLT is welcome too…...yoda

i found this site
www.adventwoodworks.com
they are doing some cool stuff!
also, i am starting a christian woodworkers club in my area. our first meeting will be march 28th! i am very excited about it. i am sure that with a narrower focus you’ll attract smaller #’s but, for me, its not about the numbers at all. after all “where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name….”
JEF

-- www.christianwoodworkers.blogspot.com

Toolman,

Don’t know if you’ve been encouraged by your post, but I was. Some very thoughtful comments. I personally enjoy the fellowship of woodworkers in general and the common ground that is found there. I know of a lot of Christian woodworkers on LJ and admit a special bond with them, but I really enjoy the whole thing.

Nothing wrong with a group such as you’re considering. But you’ll limit your membership and could miss out on some eternal opportunities. Hope this works out for you.

Tim

-- Tim S, WA

interesting. nothing like religion to ge the masses talking. pitchinsplinters that had to be a sienfled reference, oh well old topic so wont add much more past th…..

-- Phil 4:13------Our family motto