Educating Leaders - No Conveyor Belt Education Here!

October 24, 2006 - Look At the Controversy My Book Caused!

My book caused quite a stir last week. I had one mom say
she doesn't see a Biblical reason to raise our children to be
leaders. We should only be teaching our children to serve,
rather than lead. Another comment about Raising Leaders, Not
Followers said it was "PR tool that mothers will gobble up
without thinking it through".

I thought you might like to read parts of my response. If you
don't know what book I'm talking about, you can read about it at
http://www.Raising-Leaders.com

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Yes, the author of Raising Leaders, Not Followers is on this
list. I finally had time this morning to read all the posts and
compose my own.

To start off, I conducted a survey before I wrote Raising
Leaders, Not Followers to see if there was a need for a Biblical
Perspective of Leadership Education (my sub-title). Almost 300
people responded to the survey. I discovered the greatest need
for helps in Leadership Education (over 90%) was practical
applications. I also discovered many other concerns, as well as
a great desire for Moms to get more help. I spend much time
offering specific ways to implement Leadership Education. In
fact the third book in the series is entirely tips & stories to
hop off the conveyor belt. So, the book is NOT a "PR tool that
mothers will gobble up without thinking it through". It is the
result of asking other homeschool moms what they need, doing the
research and compiling it.

....... Homeschoolers who believe we should only center on
training our children to serve have a different definition of
leadership than mine. We may have to agree to disagree on the
definition. I don’t see leadership as only public leadership,
although I think that is an important aspect. Being a leader is
not just leading a church group, Bible study or support group.
Leadership is much broader as I read the Bible.

Personally, I think this week’s discussion is more an issue of
semantics and being literalists, a result of modernity.
Regardless, here are some reasons I raise my children to be
leaders. These are in no particular order.

God calls all husbands to be leaders of their home (Eph 5:23).
Probably 95% of our sons will be married one day. Why not train
them for their future?

Mothers must lead their children well, even though fathers are
ultimately responsible. Like Moses who delegated to leaders (Ex
18:21-23), husbands often delegate much of child-rearing to their
wives. Again, most of our daughters will be moms. That’s
normative in the Bible. Daughters grow up to be wives & mothers.
It is the exception to be a single woman. I raise my children
for the normative in the Bible, not the exception.

Moses provides an interesting view of leadership. There are
tiers of leadership. One man can’t do it all. These judges are
called to make judgments. What better way to prepare our
children for the future than to teach them how to make wise
decisions. The best way I know how to teach wise decision making
is using concepts in leadership education. Giving repeated
opportunities to ask the right questions is an essential element
in LE. When children must answer questions, they must "think"
about the answers. This is excellent preparation for adult life
and leading those around them. They are following Moses’
example.

The Great Commission (Mt 28:18-20) tells us to go and make
disciples. Who else will go and make disciples, but a leader?
When I disciple a young mom, I am "leading" her in the Scriptures
and encouraging her to "think" how to apply the Scriptures.

Titus 2:4-5 exhorts older women to lead younger women in
godliness. The older woman is leading the younger women. Or, at
least this is what should be happening. Unfortunately, I don’t
see it happening very much in Christian churches. Most women are
just too busy to obey this command.

Timothy tells us that aspiring to the office of elder is a good
thing (I Timothy 3:1). This tells me that it is a good thing to
encourage our children to be leaders. God sees it as good for
our sons to aspire to lead the church.

Psalm 112 describes a man who is full of Godly character and is a
leader to those around him. The final verse says "the wicked
will see it and be grieved; he will gnash his teeth and melt
away; the desire of the wicked shall perish". Because of this
man’s righteousness he influences those around him (which means
he is a leader) and conquers the wicked.

BTW, all of these examples include many hours of service.

If you had read my book, you would discover that the foundation
for leadership education is not the classics, but Building Godly
Character. Humility and service are the foundation of leadership
education. I continue to discuss the areas that this board
spends much time discussing (love of learning and mentoring with
classics). One thing that TJEd and it’s followers don’t seem to
discuss is laying a foundation of Godly Character.

One of my greatest desires for my children is that they are more
Christ-like. If you have the same desire, then you desire your
children to be a Servant-Leader. This desire involves much time
raising my children in Godly character.

. . . . If you read my website, you will discover the reason I
wrote Raising Leaders, Not Followers
http://www.Raising-Leaders.com is to provide help for Christian
families by offering a Biblical worldview of Leadership
Education. I speak at many homeschool conferences and hear
homeschoolers objections to TJEd. Two concerns they have with
TJEd is the need for practical applications and the lack of
Biblical worldview.

As a side note, I don’t mind anyone discussing my book without
reading it. Actually, I think it’s pretty cool that it would
stir up so much discussion.

FWIW, when I have a concern about a book being wrong, I buy the
book and review it. When I heard all the hubbub several years
ago about Harry Potter, I didn’t listen to all the talk about it
on the internet. I marched myself down to Hastings, bought my
own copy, and read it. Was it a waste of money? No – even though
I’m not really into that genre. I could then form my own
opinion, not based on the title or others’ opinions.

. . . . I don’t say this to make a sale. But, if you are
concerned about a specific book and want to discuss it, I suggest
you discuss it in an informed manner.

I appreciate your concern and plan to turn my comments into a
supplement to the book. Everyone that already bought the book
will receive the supplement, too! Thanks for letting my readers
receive more Biblical thoughts about raising Godly Leaders.

Blessings,
Kerry Beck
...who is off to Atlanta for a conference until Oct 31.

http://www.Raising-Leaders.com

category:

Raising Leaders, Not Followers
ï¿½ Post A Comment!

October 24, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by homeschoolhelp

I, for one, purchased Kerry's book about Raising Leaders and it is one of the best purchases I made for our homeschool this year. As parents of four boys, it is very important to us that we try to instill in them the character traits to be leaders. Great leaders are good listeners, know how to use logic instead of "going with the flow," know when to step back and follow, and know when to "step up to the plate" and lead. If we can make some changes in our homeschool to help achieve our goals, then that's what we do. I have homeschooled for many years but learn new things to help us improve every year. This year, it was reading Kerry Beck's books about getting off the conveyor belt -- especially important as we are entering the high school years of homeschooling. We aren't all the way there yet, but are slowly making some changes. Just thought I would share my thoughts on the matter.
Blessings,
Dianne

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October 25, 2006 - Raising Leaders

Posted by Alana

I thought you might like to know that I was also following that thread and was so glad that you commented. I had not heard of your book but, of course, I had to check out something that caused such a stir. In any event, it was an answer to prayer. I am so enjoying your book and have stuck my foot out to get off the conveyor belt and depend on God to show me how to do this. Just wanted to say thanks.
Alana

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October 25, 2006 - Raising Leaders

Posted by Cherbear

Kerry
You wrote an excellent response. Godly character training IS the key to Godly Leadership. With a Godly leadership education our children will be willing to serve God and put Him at the head of thier lives. AND it will give them the opportunity to do so in today's world. How many people would willingly serve the Lord, but are held bondage to debt? How many Moms would love to raise their children and possibly homeschool them to instill the love of the Lord in their daily lives, but are bound to a career outside the home, because they either lack the resources, skills, or knowledge to do anything different? If we can raise our children today with a leadership education we are providing options for them in the future. That's a future that God only knows where He will lead. I pray everyday that I am preparing my children for the roles that God intends for them in the future, and that they will obediently follow that call. Godly leadership education (which IS the focus of your book) can help many moms today prepare their children for the Lord's service (no matter what that service looks like -- either in a leadership role or just a mom at home) in the future. Thanks for writing the book! I have found many helpful ideas to practically implement in my homeschool.
Sincerely,
Cherie Norquay
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Cherbear/

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October 25, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

IT YOUR TEACHING YOUR CHILD TO SERVE THEN YOUR TEACHING YOUR CHILD TO BE A LEADER.

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About Me

A place to interact about teaching our kids without following the conveyor belt model of the government schools. Think outside the box and provide a leadership education for your children. Other musings are included on a regular basis :-)