Why does the “Faith and Work” movement never headline a conference with an interview with an Iron Worker? Name a “Fellows Program” adjacent to PCA, ACNA, etc. church that is made of tradesmen? If they aren’t, why aren’t they? Link a theology of work book that focuses on trades.

Durable Trades: Family-Centered Economies That Have Stood the Test of Time

The trades are inherently satisfying (since obviously and directly productive) so tradesmen don't look for therapeutic assessments of their craft. When you build a building you know you've taken dominion and loved a neighbor. If you push papers you yearn for contact w/the world.

I don’t know if anybody has name this one yet, but @matthewkaemingk’s & Cory Wilson’s book work and worship is good on biblical theology and on the trades.

Virginia Beach Fellows, where I teach theology, is doing this. We don’t require a bachelors. A number of fellows in the trades. Local employers help fund the program. We’re also specially focused on keeping folks in our community long term. So far so good.

It’s been at least a decade since I’ve read it but this seems to fit your description, and I remember really liking it. I’ve thought about it often over the past ten years:

It's not exclusively about the trades, but @BenjaminTQuinn and @w_strickland's book "Every Waking Hour" certainly highlights and celebrates the trades and blue collar work. The book is actually dedicated to a longtime janitor at @SEBTS.

I’m in the ACNA/REC. This is a space I exist in. I have a Substack dedicated to these and other work-related ideas: The Blue Scholar. I’d love to start an ACNA trades guild or fellow program. It’s the kind of thing I’d hope would grow from The Blue Scholar project.

Anthony, @commentmag did a whole issue on this. @cardusca has also done a great deal of work on trades—are leading voices on this topic in Canada. I’m not sure about the US, but I can also direct you to Williamson College of the Trades and Harmel Academy in Grand Rapids.

Great point - as a Gotham Fellow and part of the faith & work movement, I think there are a few reasons: 1. The movement started as an intellectual movement, which by nature attracted more intellectual, abstract, philosophical professionals 2. There are many trades people involved in the movement albeit in a more organic way and not as much part of the formal faith & work circles by name Every Good Endeavor, Keller, etc attracted professionals by nature of the focus of their ministry. However, more broadly speaking there are many many trades people part of faith and work, just not as formally tied to the intellectual roots. One is an academic movement more visible at conferences and with books, the other is under the radar but no less present and active. I interact with both trades people and the academics and there’s definitely a chasm between the two, My 2 cents. What say you?

2. You average Gotham Fellow doesn't have any friends in the city of who are trades people. They don't even hang out with them. Rom 12:16, "Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position." The F&W movement exempts urban professionals from this verse.