How to Start a Homeschool Group at Your Local Church - Lessons from those who have been there!

By TheScotsman

Mother and Daughter -school work. Mother and Daughter -school work.

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Starting a homeschool group at your local church is a sizeable task and one that it is helpful to have a model to follow. There are some great resources out there on the Web, but to have materials at your disposal to use and adapt to save you from reinventing the wheel is always a welcome relief.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

  • Statement of faith
  • Bylaws
  • Children's Covenant
  • Leadership Structure
  • Strategic Vision - 5 to 10 year plan
  • Statistics
  • Outreach Opportunities

Step1
Develop a Leadership Structure -

Make sure that you have a solid leadership structure in place. I recommend That your Leadership Structure include the following positions:

Chair (Husband/Wife)
Co-Chair (Husband/Wife)
Secretary
Treasurer
Mom's Group Leader
Dad's Group Leader

These positions should be announced, nominations should be received, and they should be voted on bby the memberships of the group.
Step2
Educate Your Church About Your Homeschool Group-

It is essential that you educate the church leadership on your homeschool group. You should try and get a face to face meeting with your senior pastor (or equivalent) and outline the group, number of families/children involved, leadership structure, alignment with church doctrine, strategic vision, etc.

It is recommended to have a PowerPoint presentation and/or handouts to leave with your senior pastor, as they prayerfully consider including your homsechool group as an official ministry of the church.

It is also highly recommended that you keep all of you church leadership on mailing lists for newsletters, outings, new initiatives, etc., to keep your group in the forefront of things happening at your church.
Step3
Have Your Homeschool Group Aligned with Your Church -

In order to gain church leadership buy in and support, most churches will want to know that you are aligned with their belief. Having a Statement of Faith, Children's Covenant, percentages of families from churches of like faith, you will allow into your group to maintain the integrity, will be added benefits to your church leadership.

If they are going to allow a group to use their resources (facility, copy machines, school rooms, etc.) they will want to know that the group is affiliated with them and adheres to their standards and beliefs. Not only that, but because they have a huge respnsibility in insuring that the youth from their church are being taught in a way that is consistent with their beliefs, and not bringing competing beliefs into the environment.
Step4
Develop a strategic 5-10 year plan for your homeschool group -

You, along with the rest of your leadership group, will want to spend time in prayer and discussion about the future direction of your group. Some questions to ask when considering the direction:

What is the goal of our group?
What age groups are we currently ministering to?
Which age group are missing?
What is the demographic profile in the area?
Do we plan to allow other church families of like faith into our group?
How many children do we envision in 2 years from now? 5 years from now?
What resources do we currently use from the church?
What resources do we think we will need in 5 years?
Can our group handle a mass exodus or a mass influx of new students?
Are we looking to create a private school based on the interest?
What technology do we currently use and what do we think we will need in the future? (i.e. Newsletter, computers, Web site, projectors, etc.)
Step5
Implement your plan -


Now that you have gained support from your church leadership, it is time to get down to the nitty gritty. Time to establish programs, solicit volunteers to help with the coordination of the group, develop timelines, etc.

Come back for additional tips on developing the leadership position responsibilities and the follwing essential elements of a Christian homeschool group:

•Statement of Faith
•Bylaws
•Covenant
•Leadership Structure
•Future vision for the group
•Statistics
•Interest
•Outreach opportunities

Tips & Warnings

  • If you would like a sample PowerPoint template to use when educating your church leadership, please feel free to contact me and I will make one available for your use.
  • I would caution you not to limit God to what you think He can do, but to prepare for His harvest. If you have seriously prayed for His guidance and direction...are following His leading...and seeking to honor and glorify Him, then He will bring the increase.
  • In addition, do not be discouraged of your church does not readily accept you as an official ministry of the church. Many churches support the Homeschool groups as they would an official ministry, but also need to be sensitive to the concerns/misperceptions some could have if the Homeschool group is considered an official ministry of the church and private/public school groups are not.

Photo/Video Credit

http://www.oxfordhomeschooling.co.uk/Images/ParentChild/MotherDaughterStudying.jpg

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eHow Article:  How to Start a Homeschool Group at Your Local Church - Lessons from those who have been there!

eHow Member: TheScotsman

TheScotsman

Novice Novice | 210 Points

Category: Education

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