// BLOG
WAAP! My Presidential Goals
September 3, 2010
Last Friday I had the opportunity to not only watch, but to run with two very good friends of mine, in the ARC presidential race. You know when somebody is truly in God’s Will when they are completely at peace with the outcome, regardless of whether or not it came out in their favor. I saw this in my fellow competitors, as we sat in the lobby and waited for the votes to settle.
Kathryn and David: thank you guys so much for your Christ centered attitudes in the race. I look forward to working with ya’ll in the future and I can’t wait to see what God is going to do through both of you in this upcoming year. This is just the beginning! On Friday night I laid out my goals and vision in my presidential speech. I wanted to reiterate them here for those of you who may have missed it and want to know what I’m about.
Worship, Attitude, Action and Prayer. A short and sweet way to remember it is WAAP! (These are not in order of importance) These will compose the core of my vision for this upcoming year, and here is how I plan to carry them out…
- Worship: Exd 15:2 “The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.”
We will start every meeting with worship.
- Attitude: Phl 2:1 “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:”
How am I going to implement a Christ like attitude in this club? I cannot force a mindset on someone and I am not going to. What I can do however, is set the example by having a Christ centered attitude myself, and encourage others to do the same. This is what I am going to do and if you don’t see me living this out, you have my permission to WAAP me!
- Action: Rom 12:1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Lukewarm Christianity is not an option for me or this club. The Specific Actions are, making a prayer wall at every tournament, participating in community activities, (for example, the pro-life speech contest we had last year, the service day at Camp of the Hill’s children’s camp, the Travis County Healthcare District committee meeting, The Texas Rally for life and others, should they become available.) Conducting worship nights at the tournaments, and pursue Christ centered attitudes.
- Prayer: Jam 5:16 “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” Phl 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Our chaplains will pray before every meeting, meal and at the start of every day of a tournament.
Those are my goals.
This is my vision:
Titus 2:7 “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”
Hebrews 10:24 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Love you guys. God Bless,
~Nathan
ARC at the Austin Filmmaker’s Academy
August 23, 2010
July 6th through August 14th, several ARC students participated in the first annual Filmmaker’s Academy. The Academy itself was put on in part by Paul Hastings, an alumni of the Austin Rhetoric Club.
Four ARC students participated in this year’s Academy. The short films they produced over the course of the summer can be viewed here:
Their final production, Obsession (not yet posted online), was awarded first place in the closing film festival. Congratulations to Christina Hastings, Jonathan Morgan, William and John Umstattd, and the rest of their team!
NCFCA Affiliate Registration 2010-2011
August 11, 2010
To take part in official NCFCA tournaments, your family will need to register as NCFCA affiliates. This is a one-time fee per season, and covers any number of competitors in your family.
Affiliate Registration Fees:
Before September 15th: $30
September 15-December 31: $40
After December 31: $50
For details regarding affiliation, check the NCFCA website.
ARC Parent Expectations
August 11, 2010
As you and your family take your first step into the Austin Rhetoric Club or come back for another year, keep in mind that while ARC is student-led, parents play a vitally important role in everything that goes on. Whether it’s coaching, teaching, or just encouraging, always stay involved with your student and the club.
Be active
Be your child’s best encourager, supporter, and provider of exhortation (i.e. “coach”)
Commit to coming to ARC meetings and encouraging others
Stay current with all email updates
Take your speakers to at least 2 official tournaments
Be open to activities outside of club time (brainstorming sessions, etc)
Remind your student to keep God first
Practice Christian apologetics
Nationals 2010: ARC Results
August 11, 2010
God blessed our 2009-2010 season immensely! Several ARCers had the privilege of competing at the National competition in June. Here are the final results:
Sweepstakes
14th Beth Maisano
Apologetics
2nd Beth Maisano
Original Oratory
14th Nathan Exley
Persuasive
9th Beth Maisano
14th Christina Hastings
Thematic
12th Daniel Gaskell
Lincoln Douglas
7th Anna MacDonald
11th Kathryn Clarkson
Lincoln Douglas Speaker
13th Avery Lill
18th Kathryn Clarkson
Team Policy
4th Snodgrass/Strack
23rd Maisano/Morgan
24th Lill/Upham