TEAMWORK AND THE CROSSCUT SAW

By Ken Blue

I am old enough to remember my Grandpa and others use the crosscut saw to cut down trees, and cut them into firewood. As a boy, I even tried my hand at it. There were a few lessons I had to learn.

Each saw was about eight to ten feet long. Upright handles were on both ends, and were long enough for a man to use both hands when sawing. It was virtually impossible for one man to use this saw. It was made to be a two man operation.

Some agreement was necessary prior to beginning. Which trees would be cut? Where do we want them to fall, and what length should each piece be? Once these were decided, it was time to go to work.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Some church members want to pull when they should relax, and others relax when they should be pulling.[/pullquote]

Some skill was needed when working with a crosscut saw. Each man takes hold of the handles. One man will pull the saw towards himself. The other will simply keep his hand on the handles at his end of the saw. Once the man who pulled the saw has reached his limit, the other man begins pulling the saw back toward himself. This back and forth motion moves the saw through the largest of trees.

If both man decide to pull on his end of the saw at the same time, all movement will stop. In addition, if either man pushes the saw from his end, the saw will bend and bind up. So teamwork was vital if things were to operate, as they should.

Some church members want to pull when they should relax, and other are relaxed when they should be pulling. It really isn’t hard work when everyone knows their job, works as a team, and has the same objectives. Wouldn’t it be great if each member of your church knew what his tasks were, and would work as a team? You are the teacher.