The Christian Wu Kung Association
FAQ
Hopefully, this page will answer your questions, if not please feel free to contact us.
Questions by Topic
- General
What is Wu kung? Wu kung is a more precise term for the chinese martial arts normally referred to as kung fu. Wushu is also an acceptable term, but, despite being applicable to traditional styles, is now mainly associated with modern sport wushu.
- What does Jeng Hei mean?
Jing Hei is the Cantonese translation of the Mandarin Jeng Chi and means righteous or correct energy. The term Jeng Chi in chi gung practice refers to guardian chi, which, when strong, indicates good health. Someone who is righteous and strives for justice can also be described as having Jeng Chi, therefore it proved a very apt name for a system developed for Christian discipleship. The Cantonese Jing Hei is used with Choi Lei Fut because CLF is a Southern system and uses Cantonese terminology.
- Why don't you use pinyin (Mandarin Chinese) terminology?
Mainly because I don't like pinyin! After two years of studying Mandarin Chinese I was sick of it. Also because these spellings are what I'm used to.
- Do I have to study your style to become a member and access your resources?
No, we offer memberships for those schools teaching other Chinese styles, both as full or affiliate members.
Why only Chinese Styles?
We feel that there are enough Christian groups out there catering to Japanese and Korean Styles. We are interested in teaching and promoting kung fu as a tool for evangelism and discipleship, and, quite frankly, other styles just mesh with our concept. We can work with almost any Chinese art because we all share the same roots and terminology. Schools teaching non-Chinese styles who are interested in adopting the CWKA curriculum are always welcome.
What about kempo and hybrid arts?
These styles will be considered on a case by case basis. Kempo varies greatly in quality, authenticity and purity of its techniques. Hybrid arts may or may not be accepted depending on the degree to which actual Chinese principles underly the art. Since most Chinese styles are very well-rounded, a hybrid art consisting of a kung fu style and something else such as TKD or Jujitsu usually represents a lack of training in the Chinese style. Hybrid "self-defense" or sport styles are not accepted.
Why are you so exclusive?
We want to preserve the integrity of our organization by only admitting members who have solid background and teaching skills in the Chinese styles or a desire to acquire such training. We also seek to distance ourselves from the many spuriously created "Christian" martial arts that seem to be cropping up everywhere. We also want to avoid contact with groups who are known to have questionable origins or scandals in their background.
Do I have to be (or become), a Christian to study your style? No, we accept students of good character who only want to study kung fu. All students must agree to abide by our association rules, but there are no mandatory religious requirements.
- How do I become a CWKA member?
See membership info.
- What are the benefits of membership?
Please see our membership info page.
- Why do you charge fees for membership?
Membership fees help to cover our overhead and support our missionary efforts.
- What is a Dao Chang
A Dao Chang (place of the Way) is the term we use for our training halls. This is a borrowing from the old term for the places where daoist rites were conducted, but it was deemed appropriate both for its relationship to the standard terms for martial arts training halls, dojo and dojang, and also because Christianity was initially called simply “The Way”. Since we practice “The Way” and martial arts, it seemed a fitting choice.
- How does your ranking system work?
We adhere to Chinese tradition and therefore have no formal ranking system. Everyone wears the same uniform and sash - though instructors wear their sash tied on the right instead of left. The hierarchy is like a family, with the instructor as the head. The students are like his children and treat each other as brothers and sisters. Seniority is established by when each student began their training. Senior students are treated like elder siblings. Admittedly, this system can become complicated when a senior student falls behind or a junior student learns rapidly, but its a sad but true fact that in almost every school, whether with or without a ranking system, there are junior students who perform better than their seniors. That being the case, we prefer the family atmosphere without the regimented segregation that comes from belt systems.
- Why do some of your member schools have ranking systems?
The decision to use a ranking system is left up to the individual style or school and has meaning only within that school. A black sash in one style/school may not be any better
than another school's novice. Yet another reason why we don't use an official ranking
system.
Do you offer cross-ranking? No. I've never found a legitimate reason for awarding rank in one style to someone who studied another style. Of course, the CWKA doesn't award rank to begin with... but don't expect a member school to offer cross-ranking either.
- Certification
What about certification? Christian students wishing to open a local CWKA chapter may attend intensive modular seminars and become certified to teach various levels of the curriculum. Students who master CLF and want to teach, but choose not to open a CWKA chapter, may be certified to teach secular classes. Only CWKA chapter instructors may teach Jeng Chi Chuan™. Information regarding certification programs for other styles within the CWKA will be made available when and if such programs are implemented.
- How do I start a chapter school?
1. Contact us and express your interest.
2. Provide the information we request from you.
3. Meet the basic requirements for instructor training.
4. Pass a background check.
5. Schedule your first training module(s).
6. Successfully complete the training by demonstrating that you can correctly perform and teach the subject material.
7. Open your chapter!
- How many modules do I need in order to start teaching?
At least one! If you have a small group of relatively skilled students, you'll probably need more. Larger groups tend to learn slower due to less personal time with the instructor, so you can start with less.
- How much does each training module cost?
That depends on you!
If you want me to come to you, pricing is figured just like a regular seminar plus the module price which varies from $300-$500. For example, if you learned everything in 4 hours (possible for level 1, especially if you have good coordination), you'd pay travel+lodging (if needed)+$40+$300. If you needed 16 hours you'd pay $120 more for the extra time. We will continue until you are certified or you ask me to leave. If you choose to resume training or test for certification at a later date, the module fee will not be charged again.
If you come to me, you pay only the price of the module fee and the hourly training fee. This may or may not be cheaper depending on distance traveled.
- Can multiple instructors train for the same fee?
We can train two instructors for the same module fee, provided they are working for the same chapter. Hourly training fees apply to both however.
- Can you combine a regular seminar with instructor certification?
For those who want to launch things on a grander scale, we can present an abbreviated level 1 seminar and then certify the leader(s) in levels 1&2. This also allows you to pay for the modules from student seminar fees. Actual cost per student per hour would be $5. You would be responsible for determining actual charges.
- Fees and Scholarships
Do you collect monthly fees or percentages from chapters? Chapter heads are expected to maintain membership with the CWKA ($25/month) and continue their training on a regular basis. They should also collect dues of $5/month from all active students. These fees, in addition to those for modules and other services, cover our overhead costs and help us to fund missions work and outreaches.
- Are there re-certification fees?
Any instructor who goes more than 9 months without certifying in a module must register for a new module or re-certify immediately or lose their teaching credentials. This is both to encourage continual growth and to maintain quality teaching standards. Standard seminar fees apply. Re-certification may submitted via video recording. Fee for video re-certification = level of certification x $10 + $100 fee. A report will be generated critiquing performance in all areas. Those failing any aspect of re-certification must schedule a refresher class within 3 months (immediate refresher training is provided for those testing in person).
- How much can/should I charge my students?
You may charge whatever fees you deem reasonable, but keep in mind that, as a CWKA chapter, you fall under our mission statement and should provide affordable training.
- Do you offer student scholarships?
Through our partnership with the Sidekick Foundation, we may be able to assist students classified as "at risk". This mainly applies to children/teens but may also apply to adults and seniors. The Sidekick Foundation allows us to raise money from corporate sources who normally do not support religious organizations, and to receive matching grants for funds raised. All scholarship requests should be submitted through the CWKA director, but please note that approvals are the sole responsibility of the Sidekick Foundation. Foundation scholarships cover all fees normally associated with training. Chapters wishing to apply for scholarships should have at least one fund-raising event per year.
