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