GMAU Handbook—Organizational Structures

Organizational Structures

The modern Christian martial arts are organized into three essential levels, the Kai, the Ryu, and the Kan (Dojo). The Kai (Jap.) is an organization put in place to administrate Ryu (Jap.) and Dojo (Jap.) using the Ryu. A Ryu is a martial arts system, a distinct manner in which a martial artist is trained. The Dojo is the individual martial art school. It is the place where a student learns a Ryu under the authority of an instructor who is under the authority of a Kai. The Gospel Martial Arts Union is an example of a Kai, which has been put in place to administer multiple Christian Ryu, and the Dojo that use these Ryu.

The Kai

The GMAU has a tight and effective leadership structure for administering its charter schools (Dojo), ensuring that the standards of the supported Christian Ryu are met. This leadership consists of the following governors.

Chairman—Soke and Head of the Gospel Martial Arts Union. The Chairman is the top official within the entire GMAU and is responsible for the overall vision and direction of the GMAU. The chairman works in coordination with every appointed leadership position and within every aspect of GMAU operation.
Executive Director—responsible for all business regarding and relating to GMAU International Headquarters, State, Regional, National, and International day-to-day operations, and GMAU Academies.
Dean of College—oversees the modernization of our offerings to an electronic capability. Works to further expand the course offerings. The Dean explores additional accreditation opportunities within nationally/internationally recognized institutions of higher education.
Director of Public Relations—responsible for submitting articles, updates, and news releases relating to GMAU activities and philosophy to Christian and secular venues.
Director of Prayer & Praise—responsible for receiving, organizing, and distributing prayer requests, praise notifications, and related updates submitted by the GMAU membership.
Journal Editor—responsible for editing and publishing the Journal under the direction of the Chairman and the Executive Director. The Editor works in coordination with the Director of Communications (an HQ appointed position) for management, coordination, layout design, content, article submission, publication, and distribution of the Journal.
Director of Publications—responsible for soliciting Christian martial arts academic work for GMAU publication. To this extent, the Publications Director will recruit GMAU Leadership and other Christian martial artists in agreement with the GMAU Doctrinal Statement, to write on topics that will serve to further educate and benefit membership and the general public on the ministry of Christian martial arts. The Publications Director will work in coordination with the Director of Publication Distribution & Editing (an HQ appointed position) on format, layout, design, and distribution.
Director of Technical Affairs & Tournaments—responsible for creating a standard by which all GMAU tournaments and competitions are to be judged. The Technical Director will work in coordination with Style Heads to determine such standards, policies, rules, and regulations. The Technical Director will work with State Reps, Regional and National Directors on scheduling and coordinating officially recognized GMAU state, regional, and national competitions/tournaments.

The Ryu

Ryu, literally meaning "school or system" in Japanese, is the system of techniques, principles, and exercises that together form a "way" or "style" of self-defence. In English, the closest equivalent would be the word "curriculum." However, a Ryu is more than just a list of belt rank requirements, it is the "style" of the creator. Each Ryu starts with an individual, who over time develops a unique style of martial arts. If this individual can develop a curriculum that will develop his/her style in other people, this curriculum is called a Ryu. The founder of a Ryu is referred to as a Soke. The Ryu is documented in the Soke’s words and pictures, and in those trained by the Soke (and their words and pictures).

For an individual to be recognized as a Soke by the GMAU, he/she must meet the GMAU requirements for fifth degree black belt and be the creator of a unique Christian Ryu (white belt to V degree black belt) that meets all the GMAU standards. This unique Christian Ryu will then be supported by the GMAU, which will administer the examining and issuing of certification in the Ryu. The Soke will remain responsible for his/her system and may continue to improve the system. At his/her discretion, the Soke may appoint a Soke-dai who would be the heir-apparent of the system.

The Dojo

Dojo, literally meaning the "way place" in Japanese, is the place where a Ryu is taught. However, the essence of a Dojo is not so much the place as the instructors who teach in the "place." Hence, the GMAU administers their chartered schools (Dojo) not according to the place, but the instructors running the place.

The GMAU supports Dojo run by instructors using recognized Christian Ryu and other systems that meet GMAU standards. The GMAU recognizes four Instructor levels: the master instructor, the senior instructor, the dojo instructor, and the assistant instructor. These indivi-duals form the leadership of the Dojo, and the chain of command is in the order stated. Because a Dojo is not specific to a place, but rather an individual, one master instructor may be responsible for several individual Dojo, which form his/her chartered school (Dojo). Each chartered school in the GMAU is independent of the other Dojo, even Dojo within the same Ryu. The specific standards that govern the structure and operation of GMAU Dojo are covered in the Charter School Standards section of this manual.