I just returned from the National Youth Workers Convention (NYWC) in Cincinati. It was an eye-opening experience. Quiet Time, a concept as familiar as breathing to some of us, was revolutionary to almost everyone I spoke to.

I had never attended the NYWC, put on in 3 different cities each year by Youth Specialties, though I have heard some pretty good things about the event. I was not disapointed. Even attending as exhibitors we were able to sit in on some of the "Big Room" sessions. The ones I saw were phenomenal. Very well done production that allowed for real encouragement for a big group of tired Youth Workers. At all of the sessions I could almost feel the collective sigh of refreshment in the room. It's a great thing when leaders get ministered to. If you are a ministry leader, and you've never been to a conference, you really should pick one and attend. There are several to chose from, and I would guess that the recharge alone is worth the price of admission.

We (myself and 5 others from Word of Life) were attending the conference as exhibitors to tell people about Word of Life Island and the Quiet Time. The one thing that struck me as incredible throughout the whole weekend was how novel the Quiet Time concept was to everyone I spoke to.

Quiet Time seems simple to me:

• One passage, two questions each day
• Age appropriate journals with everyone on the same passage

But each time I explained it to a ministry leader it was greeted like the greatest thing since the New Testament. After the first day, we literally had a line of people waiting to talk to us. Word had spread throughout the convention & many people were seeking us out. (it probably helped that we were giving Quiet Times away) I personally spoke to several Pastors who intended to impliment the Quiet Time churchwide.

For someone who uses the Quiet Time on a regular basis, (and has for quite a while) it was a good reminder of what a great tool it is. When a group of people buys into the system whole-heartedly it really does facilitate a great deal of unity.

Imagine what would happen if everyone in YOUR church was reading the same passage of scripture every day...

The Quiet Time makes this possible. It's a tool that many of us under-use.

The whole experience challenged me to take better advantage of the tools I already have at my fingertips. Many people are searching (some frantically) for a tool that facilitates the kind of structure required for unity & community among beleivers. The Quiet Time allows that, and I take it for granted.