I knew the process of writing a
Masters thesis was going to be a challenge. They were looking for scholarly
papers and I was a lot of things, but a scholar I was not. I was determined to
figure out a way to write the Bible quizzing manual Dan Rinker wanted and
complete the thesis requirement with the same paper.
Norm Wakefield was assigned as my
principle thesis professor. I was aware he would be tough on me, but I also
believed that if the project were approved, he would help me if he could. In my
first meeting with him, I explained my thesis and why I wanted to write a quiz
manual. He was hesitant to approve a project for a “game,” as he called it. He
made me laugh. I suppose it is a game, in a sense, but a very difficult one. He
wanted me to include a philosophy of quizzing.
What was a philosophy of quizzing?
I understood the word and was in a class called philosophy of ministry where I
was working through my own approach to ministry. But I had never even asked the
question about quizzing.
I contacted Dan Rinker for help. I
wanted to know how many denominations had quizzing and what did they have in
writing about they’re programs. He sent me names and addresses for every quiz
program of which he was aware. There were thirty groups representing over 31
thousand youth (circa 1974). I heard
back from 18, Most sent me a book of rules. A hand full included a flyer on how
to start a quiz program. Two or three indicated they had nothing but rules in
writing. A few had a purpose statement and a small amount on philosophy. I was basically
on my own.
The quiz programs split almost
evenly into two styles: jumping and buzzing. I came up through Youth for Christ
quizzing which was a jumping based program. I didn’t even know there were
groups that sat at a table and punched a buzzer to answer a question. Our quizzers
sat on a chair and jumped when they had the answer as was done in Youth for
Christ. A large number had rules that prevented anyone from bussing or jumping
before the question was completed. That certainly wasn’t our program.
Quizzing has begun with Youth for
Christ, which was still active. I had no idea why denominations jumped in start
their own. I had assumed YFC had discontinued thwir program. I guess separation
was the name of the game in those days. The last YFC written material I could
get my hands on was in the mid 70’s. I’m not sure if YFC was phasing out of the
program or with so many groups coming in, they just left it to the churches. Fundamentally
everyone started fresh in his or her own way. Only one group explained why they
switched from a jump style to a buzzer style. Jumping was not very lady like.
In fairness, there was a knowledge based TV show pitting school against school where
they sat at a table and pushed buzzers.
 |
| I drew three illustrations as division separations. I guess I used any opportunity I had to draw. I guess it was expected - but not by the committee. They did over look it however. |
It gradually became apparent to me
that a clear philosophy was essential. If it was to be my legacy to the
C&MA, I wanted it to be a ministry legacy, not a cutthroat competition.
My thesis committee accepted the idea;
Dan liked the outline and promised it would be printed. When printed, I was
given $500 to buy the project outright. That turned out to be a good deal for
them. They sold thousands. I think a per-book deal would have been better. Whoops!
The manual was printed way beyond it natural life. I was asked several times to
update it, but admittedly, my interest was waning.
I haven’t seen a manual for years.
I still have my copy of the thesis. Darlene Tracie came to my rescue. She had
typed Carl’s Thesis and offered to type mine. What a blessing. We were only
allowed five mistakes. As I skimmed the book in writing this, I found one red
mark. Remarkable. Darlene saved my life. This was done while she was living in
Canada. That’s friendship. Where was spell check when you needed it?
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