by Angela Lasch
How often do you think of the future of your group? If you are nearing the end of your homeschool journey and don’t plan to continue as a group leader, then it might be something you think of often. But, you may not think of it too often if you no longer homeschool, yet continue to lead a group. Most leadership books recommend that succession planning should be something leaders are intentional about. Good leaders will aim to work themselves out of a job by constantly discipling and raising up the next generation of leaders.
“Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.” (Proverbs 27:23-24 NIV) Do you know the condition of your homeschool group? Will it last another generation? Is it secure? Or, when you retire, will your group cease to exist?
Have you cast a vision that your leadership team follows? “Where there is no vision, the people perish; but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” (Proverbs 29:18 KJV) Leading a homeschool group takes a particular type of know-how; it isn’t for everyone. What is most vital for you in thinking of the future of your homeschool group? Is leaving a legacy something essential to you? Do you want your vision to be cast for the next generation?
The best way to leave a legacy of servant leadership is to be a servant leader yourself. How is this done? By modeling servant leadership in everything you do. It isn’t enough just to “lead;” you must “live” and exemplify your beliefs. When the homeschool party is over, are you the first to leave, or are you the one who leads the clean-up? Do you stay until the end to ensure all is cleaned and put away? If you rent a church building for classes, do you leave it better than when you arrived? When you train someone for a new position, do you throw them in, hope they figure it out and then complain when they don’t do well? Or do you model how to do it and lead by example, training them and being available if they have questions?
It has been said that no matter what season you are in, you need a “Paul” and a “Timothy” in your life. What does that mean? You should always have a mentor or someone you admire (like a Paul) that you try to emulate because they live out their Christian walk in a way you aspire to live your own life. You should also always have a Timothy, or someone you mentor, be an example to, and live a life they aspire to. “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV)
What does this look like for homeschool group leaders? Be intentional in the time you spend in prayer for your group and the future of your group. Ask the Lord to bring the right people at the right time and take the time to train them, as you lead by example. If you are always frazzled and complaining about how hard it is to run your group, you probably won’t find too many people willing to take your place one day! But if you see leading your group as a ministry from the Lord, your attitude will change. Take every opportunity with the younger parents in your group, see them as your “Timothys,” and seek how to disciple them and raise them as the next generation of homeschool leaders.
CHEA will host three Leadership Conferences this year on this very subject. The theme will stay the same, but the topics and speakers will vary. Please pray about joining us for one or all of our events! Registration for our Winter Leadership Conference on January 19, 2024 in Rancho Cordova (same location as Capitol Day, January 17-19) is now open. We hope to see you there!