TSDforChrist

Several comments: 1. "judge not lest you are judged..." in context applies only to the Christian, and is simply stating that you had better hold up to the standard you hold everyone else to, rather than pointing out their faults and overlooking their own 2. "turn the other cheek" is in response to insult, not physical attack. The idea of being disallowed self-defense is thoroughly unbliblical 3. God is not fickle, He was the same in the Old Testament as He was in the New, as He is now. If you need that expouned upon, feel free to email me. 4. Bowing as a sign of respect in MAs is also not unbiblical - the idea of "bowing before no one but God" is in the context of worship 5. MAs, as long as not mixed with any other religion, are completely compatible with Christianity and finally, 6. For those who are Christians, and who wish to instill moral virtues, discipline (which is just as important spiritually), and reach out through a method to reach people, MAs are an excellent ministry. A responsible Christian is under obligation to promote, not their "religion", but their relationship with Jesus Christ in everything they do. If I can provide a service such as teaching a MA, as well as sharing the grace and love of Jesus Christ, and further developing the faith of current beleivers, then (when called by God to do so) it is a worthwhile and noble pursuit. Also, I am a Southern Baptist (Shock! a conservative!), a current theology student, sometimes (though between at present) youth minister, and 4th Dan in Tang Soo Do. Anyone desiring clarification, or who has further questions about Christianity, the Bible, or what I personally beleive is more than welcome to email me, or I will resopond here

Go to a surf shop. Ask about an "Indo Board" - it will cost between $50 and $80, and it is a balance trainer. It was developed for surfers, but it helps immensley. I say buy one and not make one because the purchased ones consist of a board with a lip that goes on a cylinder - the lip is hard to get right if you make it. Do be careful, though, if you overbalance terribly, it will shoot out from under you and you will fall on your side. Also, don't do it too close to a wall, as when and if you do fall the board shoots out...with a lot of force...hey, it worked for me. I have excellent balance for martial arts, AND I can hang ten

Here's something to chew on: What do you do when you start up brand new, and you are the only one who can instruct because all 80-odd of your students are 10th Gup white belts? Oh, wait, it gets worse, they all want to come every chance they get because there is literally nothing else to do (small town, not even a Wal-Mart), and 90% never get out of the house or stop doing chores otherwise? (not my real situation, just a hypothetical expectation taking the area I am in....and it is probably only not my real situation because I haven't officially started yet.)

I'm trying to get one off the ground as well - It depends on if you are doing it through a church, or as a parachurch ministry feeding into local churches. If you are doing it through a chuch, make sure you have GOOD insurance and waivers, and make good friends with the budget committe . I'm attempting to do it by incorporating as a not-for-profit, which keeps it tax-exempt and still allows me to live (poorly ). Your largest concern is honestly going to be information: meaning, get a packet together for people interested, but more importantly, get out a flyer. Explain (especially if you have older and more conservative people...I'm a Southern Baptist in the deep south, so it's a real necessary step) exactly what the thought behind martial arts is. Remember that most Christians honestly beleive it is a mix of Eastern mysticism and learning how to beat people up. The aforementioned website at agapy does have a book of devotionals for martial artists as well. I personally am doing as ministry in this way: Open and close with prayer, short devotion at the beginning of class, memory verse requirements for testing, and obejct lessins in class (faith/breaking, etc.). I am also blatatnly "borrowing" the lesson about Shammah and standing up for God from karateforchrist.com (its under their "teachings"). I think the biggest factor in any ministry is prayer, and a fervent desire to do God's will. He does have a way of making things fall together if it's what He wants you to do. I'll pray for you!

To give illustration for those exceptions to the rule, I was 2nd Dan at 13...got jumped in a bed part of town (about a year afterwards, so I was 14, but had not trained for nearly a year..im back now!) by two guys, probably late 20's. Granted, they were more interested in money and ran off before a serious threat would have, but I am sure I broke some ribs and one nose while only sustaining minor bruises. I didn't even have to tell my parents. So it depends on the student, not the age.