Dr. William J. Bennett, former United States Secretary of Education and also “drug czar,” issued an important report several years ago entitled “The Index of Leading Cultural Indicators.” He described the mess we have created for ourselves. These are a few of the statistics presented, comparing our welfare decline since 1963:

— Violent crime has increased over 500 percent.     

— Child abuse has increased 340 percent since 1976.

— Teenage suicide has increased 200 percent.

— S.A.T. scores have dropped almost 80 points, despite huge increases in support for education.  

What can you do to help? Are you willing to give your life and talents to the welfare of our Lake area? I hope so. Wishing you much love and much light.

 —The Rev. David W. Key, director of the Baptist Studies Program, is involved in recruitment, admissions, student life, counseling, placement, and development functions for Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. He teaches in the Contextual Education program. He is the founding pastor of the Lake Oconee Community Church at Reynolds Plantation. Contact him at (404) 727-6350 or dkey@emory.edu. His

column appears weekly in this space.