Competition as a Toolbox
Competitors and their families who make the most of the competition season not only embrace eternal values when considering content and conduct but also choose to view the process of competition itself as a toolbox for building one another up as ambassadors for Christ.
Below is a sampling of the many valuable tools that participants have the opportunity to use and master when they view competition as a means for growth in grace and reason. We encourage families, clubs, and coaches to take hold of these tools as a springboard for conversations throughout the season!
#1 The Platform Tool
Speech and debate competition means gaining a captive audience – repeatedly. What an opportunity! Embracing the eternal value of a guaranteed platform requires gracious communication. Effective communicators who desire to represent Christ must esteem the truth of the message as well as the impact on the audience by practicing gracious, respectful, and interesting speaking. To effectively use the “Platform Tool,” competitors should look to hone gracious communication in each speech given.
Gracious communication comes from a heart of love and respect for both God and our fellow human beings. Here are some wise speech competitor sayings:
- I am thankful for the opportunity to give my speech so many times. Before each tournament, I pray for the judges who will be hearing me so that they will be blessed by my message.
- I do my best to understand judges’ feedback so I can improve how I am received by my audience. As Christ’s ambassador, I want my delivery to reflect exactly what I mean and what honors Christ.
- Even if I pick an obscure topic for my speech, I do my best to make it interesting to my audience, who may be different than me. This is just another way to practice “loving my neighbor.”
- I choose to believe the best of my debate opponent, regardless of how it seems in the heat of the debate. Honoring my opponent will promote grace and reason for an enjoyable, productive debate round for our judge.
#2 The Win-Loss Tool
In competition, winning and losing are inevitable — with many ways to experience them. Does winning mean a first-place award at the closing ceremony? Does it mean ranking higher than last time, or having a winning record in debate? If a competitor enters the room with fear and trembling, is that a loss for being scared or a win for competing anyway? With so many ways to perceive a “win,” there are just as many ways to perceive a “loss.” Embracing the eternal value of all these potential wins and losses requires redeeming truth.
Redeeming truth looks for whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8) and considers reframing both wins and losses in light of eternity. After all, we all have the ultimate victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! (II Corinthians 15:7) To effectively use the “Win-Loss Tool,” competitors should look for God’s redeeming truth in each scenario. Here are some wise speech competitor sayings:
- Praise God, I learned a lot!
- Praise God, I improved!
- Praise God, I won!
- Praise God, my friend won!
- Praise God, I had fun!
- Praise God, I can turn to God with my disappointment.
- Praise God, God answered my (or my friend’s) prayer!!
#3 The Rules Tool
Rules are a necessary part of competition. Our League Policies explain that “[…] rules are only meaningful and able to ensure a level playing field if we have protocols in place to evaluate and require compliance.” Every event rules page on our website begins with a reminder that “[…] participants must adhere to the material contained in this rule section to ensure a fair and enjoyable experience for all” (example). Embracing the eternal value of submitting to authority and the consequences of competing with rules requires Godly wisdom.
Godly Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the holy One is insight” (ESV). To effectively use the “Rules Tool,” competitors should seek God’s wisdom in understanding what eternal value rests in the reality of rules in speech competition. Here are some wise speech competitor sayings:
- The rules create boundaries for a fair playing field, which gives me more joy in my competitive results than if there were no rules or no checks for rules.
- While some rules may have no inherent value, I recognize that submitting to them does two eternally valuable things. One, it is a rather easy way to practice the greatest commandment, to love God; by honoring the rules I signed up for, I honor my Lord. Two, it is a rather easy way to practice the second greatest commandment, to love my neighbor as myself; by honoring the rules I signed up for, I honor my “neighbor” competitor who has submitted to the same rules.
- Violating the rules does not automatically reflect on my intentions or character, but it could negatively and unfairly impact my “neighbor” competitor. Therefore, I will approach all Compliance experiences with a humble, learning spirit so that I can make the most out of it for God’s glory. (See our Compliance FAQs.)
#4 The Perseverance Tool
Any competition takes some grit. There may be parts that seem tiring or burdensome. Embracing the eternal value of all the hard work put into a season requires a goal of enduring excellence.
Enduring excellence means “working heartily, as for the Lord and not for man, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-34). The highest levels of academic integrity and meticulous adherence to the rules indicate each competitor’s commitment to honest, fair, and trustworthy competition. This diligence over time also indicates serving the Lord Christ. To effectively use the “Perseverance Tool,” competitors should do a regular heart check to ensure that the biggest goals stay the biggest goals. That is to say, value eternal, enduring rewards above the short-term gains of competition.
Here are some wise speech competitor sayings:
- I committed to work X hours on my speeches or debate cases during the week. I don’t always feel like it, but honoring my commitments honors the Lord.
- My coach says that practicing is like putting pennies in a jar. No matter how small the amount, it will add up to a lot. I’m looking for a full jar of pennies at the end of the season.
- I may not understand the full extent of the rewards I will receive because of my hard work, but I trust that the Lord is pleased with my effort and can rest in that.
- I double-check my scripts and evidence cards for clear formatting and rule adherence before each tournament.
#5 Last, but NOT least – The Friendships Tool
NCFCA competition breeds friendship. Since friendships are a natural outcome of tournaments and clubs, the “Friendships Tool” should not be overlooked. Constructive community is one of our core values, and we are committed to engaging with one another in ways that refine, encourage, support, and challenge one another to be our best.
Constructive community resembles “iron sharpening iron” (Proverbs 27:17) and refreshment from being generous with others with our time and talent (Proverbs 11:25). To effectively use the “Friendships Tool,” competitors should be intentional about the unique opportunity to use competition not only for their personal benefit but also for the growth and benefit of the friends they make along the way.
Here are some wise speech competitor sayings:
- I make it a goal to pray with someone in the hall as they are waiting for their round.
- Helping younger competitors in my club brings me joy.
- I am thankful for how older competitors have encouraged me in past seasons, and I am looking for ways to do the same.
Competitors, which tool will you use in this next tournament? Whether it’s the Rules Tool, the Win-Loss Tool, the Platform Tool, the Perseverance Tool, or the Friendships Tool, we pray you find joy in the process of building one another up as ambassadors for Christ!
Anne Marie Gray is the NCFCA Assistant Director of Forensics: Education and Training. Her family has been involved with NCFCA since 2014.
