Researcher George Barna thinks public debates about gun laws, security and mental health funding in the wake of the Virginia Tech tragedy are missing the point. Rather than a challenge to politicians, educators or police, he calls it a dramatic wake-up call to parents. I believe it also poses a "red alert" to the Church.

In an Apr. 23 release Barna cites a litany of problems related to the Virginia Tech situation, starting with the fact that by the time an American child reaches 23 (the shooter's age), he will have seen countless murders among 30,000 acts of violence via TV, movies and video games.

If that weren't bad enough, this young adult will have viewed thousands of hours of pornographic images and listened to hundreds of hours of music fostering anger, hatred, selfishness and disrespect for authority.

Barna also points out the typical worldview of a 20-something promotes such qualities as self-centeredness, all forms of personal expression, disrespect for others, use of profanity and generic spirituality that dismisses the validity of the Judeo-Christian faith.

More bad news

If the situation with young people weren't bad enough, Barna says a majority of parents feel overly busy and stressed out or are buckling under the pressure of mounting debts. Most are dissatisfied with their jobs. Many blame other parents for young people's problems but excuse themselves from any responsibility.

The most telling statistic: fewer than 1 of every 10 families have parents who pray together, study the Bible together and lead the family in exploring their faith.

The author of a new book, "Revolutionary Parenting," Barna conducted three years of research that showed him the importance of parental guidance in shaping a child's values and behavior. He says a child's moral and spiritual development are largely molded by age 13.

Opportunities for the Church

So where does this leave the average church, other than praying for revival? With plenty of opportunities to develop parenting seminars, marriage retreats, media education workshops and other tools to address our society's ills.

Of course, the average small-church pastor—and numerically they are the dominant form—is busy preparing sermons and tending to the customary duties of overseeing a congregation. How to add any more courses, curriculum or special events to an already-staggering schedule?

I believe one answer comes from cooperation. On a recent trip to Atlanta, a businessman who coordinates a bustling men's retreat at a rural facility told me how a number of churches are utilizing it as their annual men's outing.

By tapping into the event, smaller churches are able to take advantage of top-rate speakers, comfortable cabins and a weekend that includes lodging and five meals for $110 per person. For any church of 100 or 200 members, duplicating that would be next to impossible.

After the 1999 tragedy at Columbine High School, I wrote about a popular youth speaker who led parental seminars in Denver, which were made possible by a consortium of churches sponsoring his visit.

Technology is another ally for churches who don't have the staff or resources to organize special seminars. Popular Bible teacher Beth Moore recently led a nationwide seminar through satellite hook-ups, "attended" by many women in the small city where I live.

Of course, even a small church can organize a discussion group using Barna's book or other material that is readily available at a Christian bookstore. Or go on-line for more information about marriage and parenting seminars that are offered nationwide.

The need for more guidance in this area also represents a golden opportunity for consultants. Offering suggestions of practical resources and events will be welcome in many churches. Problems will only be resolved the same way they were created: one step at a time.