What do you look for in a homeschool friendly church?

Question

I'm doing some research for an article and would like other homeschooling parents' opinion. If you were looking for a church and you are a homeschool family, what qualities would look for to find a church that is homeschool friendly? I know of a lot of families that love their churches but they will tell you that their church is not very homeschool friendly. We're fortunate that our church is homeschool friendly, it wasn't always, but I'm curious to know what others are looking for or what makes the church you're at homeschool friendly. Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

I haven't had a problem with home schooling and my church. I look for other homeschool families and what they church does to support home schoolers. Do they support it or do they disagree with it. Do they hold Co-Op? Is there a group? Those kinds of things are what I look for.

The problem I have had is that the churches here (while homeschool friendly) didn't have groups. I live in a rural area.  I just found one close to home after looking for 18 months (since we started home schooling).

Answer 2

Can you explain what you mean? What does it mean for a church to be homeschool-friendly? I have to say I've never thought of church in that way.

ADDED: Okay, now I understand. I guess it really doesn't apply to me! I am Catholic and don't think I would choose one parish over another based on what seems to be their general attitude towards homeschooling or because I knew some homeschooling families at another parish.

Answer 3

Well my church has two other homeschooling fmailies in it but it's just a cawisdence....we picked for lots of singing :)

Answer 4

I look for somewhere that will accept my son no matter where he goes to school, that won't look at me like I have a third eye when I mention that we homeschool, and that is willing to accept homeschooling as a valid choice.  I look for a church that has both kids and teachers that can accept someone who sees things a bit differently than they do, that can see a homeschooled child as a person rather than a freak.

(Can you tell we previously attended a church that wasn't quite on the friendly list?) :)

I do look for a church that has at least a few other homeschoolers, partly so that my son won't feel like the odd kid out and partly so that I won't feel like I have to keep a large part of my life to myself.  

I don't so much look for a homeschooling group or a pastor who homeschools...I have a support group, and homeschooling may or may not work for my pastor's family.  What I look for is a place I can walk in and hear "oh cool, you homeschool" when asked - rather than "oh...you *homeschool*.  Oh..."  I just want to be accepted as a member of the church and allowed to serve simply because that's where God would have us be, rather than because of how we educate our son.  Know what I mean?  :)