You know

it. I know it. And God knows it! You need to get your

children in church. Every week that you put it off, it

gets harder. Now is the absolutely right time to start

attending a church in which you and your family will fit.

So, just do it.

Most

churches, between now and shortly after the beginning of

school, will be running specials. That is, admission

without a ticket to an entertaining and inspiring hour.

Most branches of the Lord's church also offer special

programs for the kids so you won't have to bother with

them as you are relaxing in comfortable seats (some of

the most comfortable since many people simply fall off to

sleep).

Seriously,

if you have not started taking your children to church,

let me encourage you with everything in me. Where else

will they learn to "honor father and mother"

and to obey their parents in the Lord?

The church

is in business, in part, to make parental life easier.

The peer culture encourages children to disparage their

parents, make fun of children who honor their parents,

and even plot to undermine the authority of parents. Yes?

Yes! MTV, with its obsession with violence and disorder,

makes no apology in calling on children to rebel from

every sort of authority.

Popular

television glamorizes behavior that brings sorrow and

heartache to any parents: kids sleeping around, using

drugs, smoking, getting drunk. Our kids become nearly

addicted to these shows and begin to act out in their own

lives.

So, who

stands up and has a better idea? The church.

Who teaches

and supports time-honored values that magnify a

civilization? The church.

Who models

love and patience? The church.

Who prays

for the family? The church.

Who shows

up in a crisis? The church.

I tell

parents that church and family are like town and gown.

The church teaches and affirms wholesome family values

like obeying parents and parents not provoking their kids

to anger. The family, on the other hand, should support

and affirm the church and its pastor. When kids hear the

church support parents, they tend to be more responsive.

When kids hear parents support the church, they tend to

listen more intently to the teachings. We have a mutual

supporting relationship.

But it

can't happen if you are bringing your kids to church and

not staying there too. Please don't drop off your kids

and go shopping or return home. Stay and take a dose of

righteousness for yourself. Otherwise, your children will

only half-honor what the church is saying.

Now, get

thee and thy family to a church before the specials

expire or you expire!

The Rev. Dr. John

Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge Community Church in

Fayetteville.

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