Posts by Heather Neumann

Online Apologetics- Sign Up for Second Semester

Posted on by Heather Neumann

You still have one more semester to grow with Online Apol…

What is Online Apol? We are an online community to help you or your student to grow deeper in their  faith and prepare in Apologetics!

  • Are you frantically writing apologetics cards for tournaments coming soon?
  • Are you diving in to apologetics mid-season?
  • Are you looking for accountability, challenging discussion, and encouragement in NCFCA apologetics prep and competition?
  • Do you know someone who could use Online Apol.?

It’s not too late to join Online Apologetics! We have one more semester ahead and a semester of class recordings and resources behind us! All available to members!

Every Tuesday evening 8:15-9:15 central kids (and sometimes their parents) from around the country gather together online to experience Online Apol.-  a community of students growing, studying God’s word, learning to defend what they believe. NCFCA Alumni, college graduate, Rachel Bechtel, leads the group. Rachel states, “We have had an amazing semester so far- learning and growing together. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for 2017.” Joining along side Rachel weekly is Alumni, college ambassadors, who competed in Apol., giving back to a younger generation about something they feel passionate about! Each week a student is encouraged to share a card to receive feedback. Encouragement is given, as well as tips on how to prepare and practice.

“Thank you so much for Online Apol. It has been a great opportunity for my child. I am so thankful for the personal accountability, and emphasis on growth, rather than the competition.” ~ parent

“I am so grateful for my Online Apol. friends. I now feel I am prepared to write my cards with confidence.” ~student

“I appreciate the teaching the most about Online Apol. Thank you so much for organizing this! It has helped me in card writing and in general knowledge.” ~ student

Online Apol. is only $25 for the year. Although you would be signing up mid-year, you still have access to all of our recorded meetings… Including a visit from Chap Bettis- pastor and author of “Fearless Apologetics.”

Still not convinced… Here is what our Apologetics Ambassadors have to say about Apologetics…

Myles McLean- “Apologetics challenged me to know how to deal with the tough questions. I still don’t always have the right answer, but it taught me how to express what I do know in an honest, genuine manner. Being okay with not knowing every little detail of the Christian faith, and instead focusing on the big truths and trusting the Holy Spirit to move within the hearts of those who you come into contact with.”

Joel Erickson- “Don’t be daunted by the seemingly insurmountable 105 questions. Approach the category with an “I-can-do-all-things-through-Christ-who-gives-me-strength” mentality.  Focus on preparing for Apologetics as a way to enrich your relationship with God and teach some judges about His grandeur.”

Stefanie Klaves- “Growing up in a Christian home, I thought I “knew” God and Christian fundamentals. After engaging in a few conversations with Buddhists and Atheist friends, I realized that I couldn’t adequately articulate why I believed what I believed, why the Bible is more reliable than other holy books, or why the Christian faith is preferable to their religious beliefs.”

The group will take a break this week, but will start up again in Jan. and go through April. We would love to have you join us! To sign up click here.

 

Duo Interpretation- Tips from AJ Neumann

Posted on by Heather Neumann

In honor of our new release- The Ultimate Duo Handbook... An Essential Guide to Duo Interpretation. Here is an excerpt of the book...

AJ Neumann participated in Speech and Debate for five years. Each of those years he participated in Duo Interpretation. It was one of favorite Speech categories. Four out of the five years, he had FOUR different duo partners. He qualified to the National Championship in Duo Interpretation four years in a row, with three of those four partners.

AJ describes his Duo partnerships, how they came to be, and what valuable lessons he learned through each one of them...

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Another Product! The Ultimate Duo Handbook!

Posted on by Heather Neumann

The Duo Team of Heather Neumann and Kristi Eskelund have done it again… They have written an amazing resource that you can quickly get your hands on. Introducing–

The Ultimate Duo Handbook… An Essential Guide for Duo Interpretation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I don’t think I have seen anything like this! An all-in-one guide that covers everything you need to know about Duo Interpretation. I love this resource, especially the value!” ~parent

The Ultimate Duo Handbook has over 40 pages of instruction, examples, and fun! Kristi and Heather provide a very thorough approach to help students, coaches, and parents tackle the art of Duo Interpretation. Contents include…

Why Duo

What’s Your Duo Style

The Duo Chopping Block

Teamwork

The Duo Partner Worksheet

The Distance Duo

Creating Characters

Duo Activities

and so much more!!

Purchase your Ebook today for the introductory price of $9.95! It’s easy! Simply purchase the book, and tap the link to down load this amazing manual.  Once you purchase the book, the download link is on the finished order page.

“Wow! I LOVED it! Practical wisdom at a bargain price!” ~ parent

Heather Neumann and Kristi Eskelund have coached numerous successful Duo Teams, including their own children. Heather says, “Duos are near and dear to our hearts. It seemed appropriate that our first handbook would be all about Duos! We can’t wait to see what God lays on our hearts next!”

 

Alumni Interview- Stefanie Klaves- Why Apol.

Posted on by Heather Neumann

Stefanie Klaves competed in NCFCA for four years. Her NCFCA highlights include placing 2nd and 3rd in team policy debate at the 2014 & 2015 National Championship, 1st place in Persuasive at the 2014 Minnesota National Open, and 1st place in Apologetics at four tournaments including the 2016 Region VI Regional Championship. While in high school, she also authored for Monument Publishing’s debate sourcebooks and worked as an intern at the Hildebrand Law Firm LLC.

Stefanie is currently attending a Bible school & ministry internship in Kansas City, Missouri. This upcoming March, she will move to Taipei, Taiwan for a five month YWAM (Youth With A Mission) Discipleship Training School. In the Fall of 2017, she plans to pursue an undergraduate degree in political science. Her dream is to become a lawyer specializing in international law.

1. When did you start competing in apologetics, and how long did you compete?

I started competing in apologetics my second year in NCFCA as a sophomore in high school. I competed through my senior year.

2. Why did you compete in apologetics?

Growing up in a Christian home, I thought I “knew” God and Christian fundamentals. After engaging in a few conversations with Buddhists and Atheist friends, I realized that I couldn’t adequately articulate why I believed what I believed, why the Bible is more reliable than other holy books, or why the Christian faith is preferable to their religious beliefs. Desiring to equip myself for future conversations, I wrote almost 100 apologetics cards over one summer and signed up for apologetics at the next tournament.

3. What is one thing you would do differently if you went back again to do apologetics?

Read books! I wish I would have delved deeper into the apologetics topics by reading Christian classics. I wrote most of my cards by gathering information from websites. However, in the past months I’ve read books that tackle many of the 101 topics with in-depth analysis and explanation. Helpful classics that I wish I read in high school include: Knowledge of the Holy by AW Tozer (This is a must read. What does it mean that God is eternal, omniscient, merciful, and omnipotent?), Knowing God by J. I. Parker (Another great source for Category 1), The Case For Faith by Lee Strobel (Why is there suffering? Why does a loving God send people to hell?), and The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey (Category 5 tool). Taking the extra time to read books will strengthen your speeches and help you stand out. Many speakers I’ve talked to feel that their answers are “too generic”, and that’s mainly because a lot of them (including myself) prepared their speeches from the same, top ten webpages from Google. Reading classics will help you find fresh perspectives and unique illustrations.

4. What was your favorite “moment” while competing in apologetics (favorite ballot, special connection, a conversation, something you studied, etc..)?

Many of the NCFCA apologetics topics include common objections to Christianity. My favorite moments were when I heard those common objections that I studied while writing my apologetics cards in real-world contexts. For example, while street evangelizing at a Haunted House fair, one lady I talked to believed “All matter, energy, and life are an interconnected unity of which we are an inseparable part” along with reincarnation, extra-canonical books, and truth relativism. I loved the opportunity to share what I learned in humility and love.

5. What are you doing now (that you’re done.. out of competition, etc.)?

I just finished a six month bible school internship, and I will be attending a YWAM (Youth With A Mission) Discipleship Training School in Taipei, Taiwan in March. In the fall, I plan to pursue an undergraduate degree in political science and eventually a law degree.

6. Anything else you’d like to say that’s on your heart?

Compete in apologetics for the Lord. I know you want to win tournaments and give perfect speeches, and pursuing excellence is not a bad thing. In high school I spent hours upon hours writing cards and practicing speeches. I gave apologetics speeches to the bathroom mirror, backyard tree, and neighbor cat. When my last Regionals neared, I wanted to speak my absolute best and show the judges I deserved to win. And then… I got sick. My voice was hoarse, my nose was running, and my cough was obnoxious. Perfect presentation? Not going to happen. I was unsure if I’d be able to compete at all. At Regionals I had to reexamine my heart and remind myself of the reason why I decided to compete in apologetics. I surrendered to the Lord and told Him that I was competing for his glory. I put aside fancy language and spoke from the heart. (And you never know what might happen when you do that. At this particular tournament, I placed 1st in Apologetics after all.)

Perspective on your Persuasive

Posted on by Heather Neumann

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Being persuasive is an art. When writing persuasively, it is important to explain your thoughts clearly and make sure you have your thoughts supported by facts. I believe that the Persuasive Speech category is one of the most difficult to master. Here are my reasons why, and what you can do to master this speech...

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Creating Unforgettable Characters

Posted on by Heather Neumann

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If you are competing in any Interpretive Speech, creating believable characters is fundamental. Characterization is the vessel for demonstrating your interpretive skills. Our Character Worksheet can help you analyze each individual character. As you create your characters, there are a few specific aspects you should develop. Remember, although there may be a whole book written on your character, you have a time limit. Also, your creativity in the development of characters is ultimately up to you! Have fun! Get to know these people… You're going to spending a lot of time with them! Remember the goal is to make your characters memorable so your judges can tell them apart, as well remember them. Here are some things to consider...

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Chap Bettis is joining us… TONIGHT

Posted on by Heather Neumann

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We are super excited Chap Bettis will be joining our Online Apol Group TONIGHT! We still have more than half a season to grow deeper in Apologetics. Why not consider being a member NOW!?

You can sign up by clicking here.

Apologetics Online meets on Tue. evenings at 8:15-9:15 CST. Chap Bettis will be our guest speaker tonight. Chap is the author of Fearless Apologetics, an excellent apologetics sourcebook, and he is the founder of The Apollos Project. Check it out! https://www.theapollosproject.com/ He has been involved in the ministry and NCFCA apologetics for many years – prepare to be encouraged!

Digging Deeper in Rules

Posted on by Heather Neumann

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How well do you know the rules? When you see a speed limit sign that states 25 mph- does that mean you need to start driving 25 mph before or after you reach the sign? I think speech rules are often read, but I wonder how many students are  actually understanding them. Today I am going to break down a couple of my favorite NCFCA Interp Rules... (Of course this is only my interpretation)...

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The Art of Visualization

Posted on by Heather Neumann

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There have been many benefits since my family got on the wild ride of Speech and Debate. One of those benefits I would like to call The Art of Visualization. I think most of our family has the ability to some degree. “What is it?” you might ask… The Art of Visualization is being able to watch or read something and be able to picture it as a Speech. I ask the students that I coach if they can visualize themselves in a speech. Can they visualize a story, movie, book, etc. as a speech? Let me help you visualize what I’m talking about…

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Find Your Interp Style!

Posted on by Heather Neumann

It's that time in the "pre-season", where some students are starting to feel panicked. "I haven't found my epic piece!" "My research is going no where!" "I hate my topic already!" Or my favorite, "We were supposed to have a piece picked by now?!" I know Practice Tournaments are starting... But take a deep breath... You still have time- plenty of time!

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