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On the Sunday before New Year's, my family and I attended a local church in Remer, Minn. This is a church we've attended in the past while visiting family in the area. I was astounded by the number of young families in church on that particular Sunday morning. Including my own family, there were approximately two-three young families. This occasion made me question, "Where were all the children and young families?"

Yes, Remer is a small town. However, according to the Northland Community School website, there are enough kids to warrant more than one first grade and second grade class. There's also a high school in town. I wondered how many of those kids attending school were also attending a local church?

I took a look at the church directory of this particular church I attended, and noticed that the majority of members are senior citizens. What is going to happen to the church once the older congregation no longer attends and financially supports this church? Will the church be closed up for good?

My husband and I recently went to Religion and our pastor was talking about young people's response to not attending church was "We're too busy." He talked about how understanding he was that people today are really busy with sports on the weekends and parents being exhausted after working long weeks. However, how can we be too busy for God?

Do kids even know who God and Jesus really are? Do kids even know what Christmas and Easter are besides just Santa and the Easter Bunny?

One weekend when I was up north in the area visiting an estate sale, my mother-in-law made a comment to me riding in the car that has stuck with me to this day. I have mentioned this to my own family on occasions. She said, "Imagine what our world would be like if everyone would just follow the Ten Commandments." Ten simple laws to follow.

My first thought to myself was wondering how many kids actually knew what the Ten Commandments evenwere! My two children are by no means perfect... a long ways from it! However, they know who Jesus and God are. They know the true meaning of a holiday. They attend church with us on more than just a holiday occasion. They know a lot of the Ten Commandments and are still learning to this day.

What's going to happen to all the children that don't attend church anymore? Would a good basis of faith help troubled kids that wind up doing dangerous things like we've heard and seen on the news? I guess only one person has the answer to that but more than one person to change that.[[In-content Ad]]

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