Membership Application for 2019-2020

The purpose of WGHSA is to inform, inspire, encourage, and edify Christian educating families. The sole purpose of WGHSA is to provide support with a spiritual dimension to Christians that are home educating.

It is understood that WGHSA does not monitor the progress of the students. It is each parent’s responsibility to educate. Any advice, opinions, or suggestions given are just that—advice, opinion, and suggestion. WGHSA is not liable. WGHSA is a home educators’ support group designed to encourage and utilize the participation of its members.

• To agree with and sign the Statement of Faith.

• Agree to educate your child(ren) in accordance with your state’s regulations in a loving atmosphere and to diligently strive to develop within them outstanding character qualities as well as upholding excellence in education.

• Not to be involved in any activity that would reflect negatively on WGHSA.

• To uphold and live a Biblical family lifestyle with high moral standards.

• Agree to use the membership roster for home support purposes only. Giving out names and numbers of members without permission is a breach of trust.

• We believe the Bible is the inspired, infallible, authoritative, and inerrant Word of God. (2 Tim 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21, Revelation 22:18-19)

• There is only one God eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God is the only Creator. (John 1:1-2, John 1:14, John 1:18, John 10:29-30, John 17:22, Dt 6:4, 1 John 5:7)

• Jesus Christ was God in human flesh, being fully God and fully man but without sin. Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, suffered a vicarious and atoning death, was bodily resurrected, ascended to the right hand of God the Father, and will return personally in power and glory. (1Tim 2:5-6, Luke 1:31, Heb 2:17, Heb 7:26, Heb 9:28, Matt 27:46, Phil 2:8, 1 Cor 15:4)

• Salvation is offered as a gift. We are saved by trusting the shed blood of Jesus Christ and turning from our sinful ways, believing and receiving Him as our Lord and Savior. We are saved by grace through faith. (John 1:12-13, Ezek 36:26, John 6:44, Eph 2:8-9, Eph 1:7, 2 Cor 5:21, Rom 5:19, Gal 2:16)

• God desires all members of His body to dwell in unity with each other regardless of ethnicity, gender, social, economic, or denominational differences. (Matt 22:37-39, Rom 12:10, Rom 13:8, Ps 67:1-2)

• Children are precious and a direct blessing from God. (Prov. 22:6, Deut. 11:18-21)

About our Attendance Law:

We are admonished in Scripture, both by example and by command, to obey the laws of our country. (Romans 13)

Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore, he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For it is a minister to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil. Wherefore, it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. (Romans 13: 1-5 NAS, cf. Deuteronomy 28, Daniel 1, I Timothy 2:1-3)

In Georgia, God has blessed us at this time with a supportive homeschooling law. West Georgia Homeschool Association supports this law and expects its members to abide by it. If we fail to comply with the law that God has given us, we risk the judgments that he promised to Israel when they doubted the wisdom of His guidance and turned to their own ways. The failure of a few to comply hurts the reputation of our group and homeschooling as a whole.

Our state law requires a yearly Declaration of Intent be filed and students to be tested for grades 3, 6, 9, and 12, keeping scores available for 5 years. Failure to file Declaration of Intent will effectively withdraw the student from the home study program. Please check with current law as to your requirements.

Among homeschoolers, as in every community, there are those who fear to follow God’s guidance too closely, lest our enemies interpret our obedience as weakness. Some have suggested that we should not comply with the reporting requirements of the attendance law, fearing that the information will be used for harassment or worse. West Georgia Homeschool Association does not condone or encourage this. If a few homeschoolers give school officials the impression that the present law is not working, our opponents (and we DO have them) will have the excuse they are seeking to change the law. There are some influential people who would like to eliminate homeschooling altogether. Those who fought for the present law have seen the power of these people and do not wish to repeat the experience soon. Please visit www.ghea.org or www.hslda.org for more homeschooling information and the latest requirements and laws.

The variety of homeschool options is ever growing, giving parents a greater choice. If you are attending one of these alternative options, you may not need to fill out a Declaration of Intent, but will need to comply with the requirements of your school for attendance and other rules and requirements. As a group, we are here to support the community of homeschool parents and families. There may be field trips or time when other arrangements will need to be made prior to the event because a DOI is required for admittance. We encourage you to join as well, just knowing there may be a few obstacles for certain locations. To be a member of WGHSA, you must be in good standing with the alternative homeschool and be abiding by their rules and regulations.

I have read and agree with the above statements and agreements. Any beliefs or conduct not in accordance with these statements and agreements will be considered reason for non-acceptance or dismissal from WGHSA.

A copy of the Statement of Faith and Compliance Agreement can be downloaded from the West Georgia Homeschool Association website.