Home School Debate Championships

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise) that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (Eph. 6:1-4 ESV) Yesterday I had the privilege of participating as a community judge at the national debating championships of the N. C. F. C. A., an association of home schoolers. Approximately five hundred students of high school age from around the country had made it through lower rounds of competition to come to Gordon College for the week. Although I did not have the opportunity to do homeschooling myself, I have interacted with many home school families over the years. (Many people involved in house church begin by home schooling.) The debaters whom I judged, three separate matches involving a total of ten participants, were all poised, prepared, effective speakers, even when cross-examined. It was very difficult to decide between them.
Also impressive was the long hours, courtesy, and dedication of the many volunteers who put the event on. From registration to ballot procurement and reception to a continual stream of food- the oxen treading out the corn were certainly not muzzled- hard work was evident everywhere. Thanks, Bud, for the invitation.