What
is a Guild?
In
Europe in the Middle Ages, knowledge
was a precious commodity. To
preserve and advance the practice of
their profession, skilled tradesmen
banded
into organizations called guilds.
From
everyday trades such as blacksmithing,
carpentry, and weaving, to the exalted
skills of shaping silver, gold, and
stained glass for great cathedrals,
a city's guilds assured that work was
done with quality. To learn a
trade, young people entered a contract
to serve as an Apprentice - working
alongside and learning from a Master
Craftsman.
Only
after several years' service, both working
and observing, would someone earn the
right to become a Journeyman, still
under the supervision of a Master Craftsman.
Eventually he would complete a project
that proved he had mastered
the skills of his craft - his masterpiece.
Today
the skills of writing professionally
are taught by the Christian Writers
Guild. It is open to all who wish
to undertake the discipline of learning
from
a Master Craftsman.
Like
those ancient guilds, The Jerry B. Jenkins
Christian Writers Guild educates, trains,
and supports both women and men who
want to grow - and
succeed - as professional writers.
Our goal is to educate a new generation
of writers fully equipped to serve and
honor God with their work.
