VENTURA, Calif. -- America's nearly 400,000 churches have a less significant impact on the nation's culture than its 91,000 post offices or 15,000 McDonald's locations, church pollster George Barna said.

Barna, who runs the Barna Research Group, blames the situation on a lack of leadership, according to United Press International (UPI). He plans to launch his own nationwide leadership courses this fall through his virtual school, Barna University. Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, Calif., will offer academic credits for the courses, according to UPI.

"Our seminaries don't train leaders," Barna told UPI.

"The people who fill positions of leadership in the churches are, for the most part, teachers - good people, lovers of God, well-educated, gifted communicators - but not leaders," Barna said. "They do not have or understand vision. They fail to direct people's energies and resources effectively and efficiently."

No details on Barna's online courses were available.

In his latest book, "The State of the Church 2002," Barna said he is troubled by what he calls the "wacky, individualized and customized blend of Christianity that has emerged in the United States."

Barna cited America's response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks as an example. During the first several weeks following the attacks, there was a surge in church attendance.

"Post-attack surveys showed that people had turned to churches as a place to be with others and gain a sense of community, solidarity and stability," he said. "Shockingly, God had little to do with the comfort and security derived."