Engaging Home School Families
From the Coach’s In-box: Question: How do I engage home school parents in my ministry that are challenging to engage, seem skeptical of what the church is offering, and don’t respond as I’d expect to the church’s programs? Karl’s Answer: First, normalize what they’re feeling. Homeschool parents often chose that path because they deeply care about what and how their kids are taught. Many made that decision after frustration with systems that didn’t align with their values. That kind of conviction requires confidence. From the outside, that confidence can look like “they think they know everything.” But often it’s protective, not prideful. They’ve spent years defending their choice to friends, family, and sometimes even church members. So they may walk in with walls already up. The key is not to see them as a subgroup to “win over,” but as parents already taking Deuteronomy 6 seriously. They are actively discipling their children every day. Celebrate that. Affirm it. When a church leader says, “We love that you’ve taken ownership of your child’s education and spiritual formation,” it lowers defenses instantly. Shift from “Come join what we’re doing” to “How can we support what you’re doing?” That posture changes everything. Instead…
