I believe that a child's parent (not the government or even the church) is the one with the responsibility to decide what is best for that child until he/she is able to make decisions as an adult. I do not assume that I automatically come to right conclusions. I take my responsibility seriously. I study my children. I pray for my children and that God would lead me as I nurture and guide them. Sometimes I ask for their input for a particular decision and other times I allow them choices. Ultimately their father and I are responsible before God.
I recently read a blog post where the Christian parent of publicly schooled children shared his reasons for sending his children to public school. He appears to have committed the matter to prayer and come to the conclusion that God is leading his family to use public school. I have respect for that. Those are his children and he is the one who must decide what is best for them. It bothers me greatly that homeschool parents, who believe that the government and the church are not the ones responsible for children, would judge this parent when he has prayerfully considered what is right for his family and is trying to do what he believes is best.
I don't believe that his analysis of homeschooling parents is fair. It's not true that I don't want to engage my world and I haven't observed it to be true of homeschoolers in general. This is the opposite of what I believe and try to practice with my children. I want my children to interact with the world. I want them to learn about the differences between cultures want them to know that not everyone believes in Jesus Christ and I want them to know that God has a ministry for every Christian, no matter gender, age, or gifting. I believe God wants our children to serve Him under the protection of their parents.
I don't believe that public school is the only place for a child to be a witness for Christ. I don't believe that it is the most logical place to expect most children to be that witness. Some children attend public schools and are a witness to others. (I had a very difficult public school experience, but I can say I stayed true to my faith – and impacted others. - topic for another post!) However, many others are pulled away from the Christian faith.
My kids are called to live as Christians now. I don't believe the call of Christ is only for adults. My kids know Christ. They are called to impact others around them with the love of God. They do that as they interact with in a loving way with kids in our neighborhood, as they show good sportsmanship during a baseball game, as they tend toddlers during MOPS at our church, or as they occupy the younger brothers and sisters of a sibling's teammate during sports practice.
The Bible does call us to protect children. They don't have to spend six hours per day away from home, under teachings we may not agree with, in the company of peers who may hold different standards of conduct in order to live for Christ and be salt and light in their world. If I am involved in serving my community, there is an opportunity for my children to be involved.
I can't condemn a parent who has made a prayerful decision about their own children – it may be that God is calling a particular family to public school ministry. I would not encourage parents in general to send their children to public school as a missionary enterprise. I believe there are many better ways to encourage compassion, service, and evangelism. Spending time with a more mature person, with more experience, who is involved in ministry and service is the best kind of training. That is a reason that I homeschool. | 
