Homeschool Leadership

Being a leader in a homeschool group has been an eye opening experience for me.

I have been surprised by the amount of love and care that most of the families have poured out for one another.  You don’t find that much these days.  Our homeschool group is amazing.  Most of the people would sacrifice for my family.  And they know we would do the same for them.

I have also been surprised at the amount of complaining and gossip.  As a Christian group, there has been more of that than I ever expected.

It seems that some of the women just want their own way and if they don’t get it, they will attack.  Some attack openly, others go around to their friends and try to stir up trouble from the shadows.  I have been so sad to see this happening when I know that the rest of the group loves them and would like nothing more than for the complainers to come into the fold and enjoy the love we have for each other.

I have learned through my past 2 years as President of this precious group, that I don’t mind it when someone tells me they are having an issue.  I want to know and try to work it out if I can.  What I do mind, however,  is being insulted, accused and gossiped about.  It isn’t necessary and it is un-Biblical.

If you have a problem and you need to discuss it with leadership (in church, a group, a sport, etc.) I encourage you to consider that you are probably not the only person going to your leader with a problem.  Be considerate.  Be humble.  Be careful to express your dislikes without attacking their character and without assuming their intentions.

For example, yesterday a woman in the group told me that she feels that I have been excluding people for the past year and a half.   Then she proceeded to give me examples of ways I have done this.  She was hurt and upset and venting.

It would have been easier to have a discussion about it if she said, “I have noticed that some people feel excluded and I would like to try to help find ways we can include them more.”

That’s another point, if you go to a leader with a problem, it is so much better if you are willing to be a part of the solution.  Take a leadership role.  Wouldn’t it have been wonderful if this woman had offered to get a few women together to take on the task to greet and include those women that have been hurt?  Instead she put the whole problem on me without offering to help.  And what if she had mentioned this to me sometime over the past 1 1/2 years instead of letting it stew?   I would never want anyone to think they were being excluded and am sorry that I am just now hearing about it.  But also, one person can’t fix everyone else’s problems.  We have to work together.

I feel for those in politics.  I couldn’t take it.  The constant attacks and ridicule would eat me alive.  I can only imagine what pastors go through.  It breaks my heart. No leader is perfect, no man is without flaws.  Certainly I do things wrong….every day!

But I know my heart and I love these families.  I know that the other leaders in our group only want to love, serve the group and give support.

Above all, we are to love one another.  Forgive, have compassion, be selfless, pray for the Fruit of the Spirit to be evident in our life.

These verses minister to me:

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”  Romans 12:9-10

“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.”  Luke 6:27-35

“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”  Philippians 1:9-11