Future Church Leaders

My kids are really into Bible Quizzing. In fact, at this very moment, Cathy and the boys are at a quizzing tournament in Iowa, leaving Hannah home with me to "hold the fort!"

Ryan (white shirt with green stripe) had an outstanding season, taking first place this year. Luke and Wes (yellow shirts) did great as well, and both qualified for nationals in Omaha.

Quizzing has played a major role in the spiritual development of you children. As parents, we have watched them blossom and grow in faith, as they apply the Word hidden in their hearts.

We quiz through a huge interdenominational organization -- and hundreds of the nation's top quizzers compete at the regional and national competitions.

Bible quizzing is one of the best ways to instill God's Word in the hearts and minds of young people. I cannot understand why so few youth ministries take it seriously.

Many youth pastors are far more interested in running cool events and activities than making the effort for Bible Quizzing. They are misguided in this.

I heard a college president give a speech a while back, listing the key factors in adolescence which developed strong spiritual leadership as adults.

Guess what came out as the TOP indicator for future spiritual leadership? Bible Quizzing!!

The Free Methodists get it, as well as a smattering of others -- but, by in large, Bible Quizzing is still a neglected orphan in most church circles.

Youth ministry schedules are jammed too full with lesser things -- and there's not enough energy left over for the greater good. (I understand that. Years ago, I did the same thing when I was a youth pastor.)

Do you think a higher priority on the memorization of God's Word in the context of fun and deep friendship might make a dent in the 80% dropout rate?

We need to move quizzing from the cobwebbed closets of our youth departments -- and make it a centerpiece!