by Nate Finn

“Why does a church need a security team??” That question is mostly asked incredulously when people visit one of our campuses and see a team of usually large guys wearing polo shirts in the lobby, the children’s ministry, and the sanctuary.

Security within our church can be a misunderstood concept. Many people believe that security does not belong in the church. On the one hand, there are people who say it unnecessarily heightens a perception of threat, and on the other, people say it means we’re not trusting in the sovereignty of God (to protect his church). We also recognize there are people who are simply opposed to our church and the gospel of Jesus. As Pastor Mark said in the 2007 sermon, “Pain and Progress,” from the Nehemiah sermon series, “Not everybody in Seattle has the same agenda as we do. Our goal is to read the Bible and love Jesus. … That’s not the most popular agenda in Seattle.” We get that, and the fact that people might oppose us is not what worries us. But here’s what we’re very committed to: people should be able to come to a Mars Hill Church service and worship in peace.

“If you are saying to yourself, ‘Aren’t they exaggerating this whole thing? I didn’t see or hear of anything,’ it is because our security teams are doing a fantastic job.”

Ultimately, the goal of the security teams is to protect the integrity of the service and how people are receiving the Word that’s being preached. Listening to a sermon can be a big experience—the Holy Spirit can be speaking to someone—and if there’s a disturbance, that moment can be broken.

Like the Israelites in Nehemiah’s day, we not only have the right to worship the God of the Bible but we have the obligation to provide a safe environment to those who want to attend Mars Hill and worship God freely. The First Amendment grants us the right to peaceably assemble, after all. (And, yes, it grants that right to those who’d oppose us to peaceably assemble and voice that opposition as well, and that’s fine, though as a private organization, we have the right to not permit that to happen on our property.)

The same people who opposed the Israelites are the same kind of people we experience today. However, the men and women you see with the security shirts are not there to intimidate but to protect the body from those trying to disrupt or cause harm. And yes, serious crimes do happen on church properties across the nation and they aren’t just petty crimes. Pastors have been killed and churches have been vandalized, robbed, and burnt to the ground. This information is not being used as a scare tactic. We just don’t want to be naïve and not be cognizant of what happens every week.

That said, our campuses experience vandalism, burglary, and theft as often as once a week. On Sundays, we keep watch on the premises, mostly in an effort to deter any potential threats by being proactive not just reactive. If you are saying to yourself, “Aren’t they exaggerating this whole thing? I didn’t see or hear of anything,” it is because our security teams are doing a fantastic job mitigating threats we see regularly throughout the year.

Children’s Ministry

One of our biggest priorities on Sundays is to keep our kids safe while they learn about Jesus each week. Similarly, we want parents to be able to learn about Jesus while they sit in the service, and part of this is that they need to be able to trust in the children’s ministry when they drop their kids off and know the kids will be safe and protected during that time.

There are, on average, five to six threats to the children’s ministries at our Mars Hill campuses per year. Security team members are present throughout the children’s ministry for two reasons. One reason is to mitigate serious threats, and the other is for accountability of our children’s ministry volunteers.

Lobbies and sanctuary

In addition, security team members keep watch in the lobbies and sanctuary. Ever wonder why there are two security team members who sit at the front of the sanctuaries while Pastor Mark preaches? Because several years ago, a man charged the stage with a large knife while Pastor Mark was preaching. In general, there is a higher potential of threats when the sermon topic is on spiritual warfare. There have been subsequent threats, and sometimes the threats vary by campus location and service time.

SPD

And lastly, at the Downtown Seattle and Ballard campuses, you will see uniformed Seattle police officers at the services. These officers are on duty and paid, though the shifts they work at the church are ones for which they’ve volunteered to take overtime hours, so they’re not being taken out of the normal police rotation to be stationed at our campuses. The strategy behind the uniformed police officer is primarily as a deterrent, but it’s also so that we can have more of an immediate response if there were an actual incident.

Guards along the wall

God called Nehemiah to build a wall and now God has called Mars Hill to build cities within the cities. God told Nehemiah to place guards along the wall to protect his people and the work, and we must place guards within our walls to protect God’s people and the work of sharing the Gospel. In order to provide the proper safety and security for our campuses, we need men who are able-bodied, have a heart to protect our children and families, and a desire to step up and volunteer a portion of their time to the Security Ministry. This ministry not only provides a valuable service to the church, but also is an opportunity for spiritual growth and community building for people who share common interests.

“But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.”

Nehemiah 4:7–9

“Opposition only comes to those who are doing something. There are many people out there who live their life without being criticized or attacked because they spend their time lying on the couch with their finger up their nose not doing anything. There is no reason to oppose such people. So if you are doing something, expect opposition and be encouraged because you are doing something.”

Nate Finn is the executive assistant to Pastor Dave Bruskas and a member of the Ballard campus.

If you need assistance in developing and implementing a church security ministry team or need security team enhancements, then contact Gideon Protective Services, Inc. to learn more about our Church Security Seminars or full Secure Church training program.  Call 888.305.6513 Ext. #3 or email info@gideonprotectiveservices.com.

This incident bears many similarities to previous lone offender attacks and highlights the challenging threat posed by such individuals as they operate independently and maintain few trusted associations-making them difficult to detect, monitor, and disrupt.  The following are recent active shooter examples:

1. On 1 September 2010, a male suspect—possibly motivated by a violent form of environmental extremism and armed with a potentially functional improvised explosive device attached to his body, a replica weapon, and a starter pistol took hostages at the Silver Spring, Maryland headquarters building of the Discovery Channel and threatened to open fire.  The standoff ended when he was killed by law enforcement.

2. On 4 March 2010, a gunman shot two Pentagon police officers at a security checkpoint at the Pentagon entrance. Pentagon officers returned fire and disabled the gunman, who later died of his injuries.  The gunman’s motives remain unclear.

3. On 18 February 2010, a man flew a single-engine aircraft into the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offices in an Austin, Texas office building, killing himself and one IRS employee.  He allegedly targeted the offices as revenge for personal financial hardships he attributed to the IRS.

4. On 10 June 2009, an 88 year-old male with white supremacist sympathies opened fire with a rifle at the U.S. Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., killing a security guard.  The attacker, who was wounded by return fire and arrested on the scene, died on 6 January 2010 prior to the conclusion of his trial.

Active shooter situations are unpredictable and evolve quickly.  Typically, the immediate deployment of law enforcement is required to stop the shooting and mitigate harm to victims.  The following measures are recommended to mitigate the impact of an active shooter incident on facilities.

1. Designate at least two evacuation routes and post routes in conspicuous locations.

2. Develop and exercise security and emergency action plans that include policies and procedures for dealing with active shooters.

3. Integrate local law enforcement, emergency responders, SWAT teams, K-9 teams, and bomb squads and first responders into training exercises.

4. When possible, establish random security patrols to disrupt potential surveillance efforts.

5. Install closed circuit television cameras accessible to law enforcement.

6. Train personnel on proper procedures relating to the identification and reporting of suspicious activities.  While no single activity is an indicator of pre-operational attack planning, the combination of various activities-such as individuals loitering in sensitive areas for no apparent reason, unusual sketching, and pace counting-could be deemed suspicious in light of other available information.

7. If circumstances prevent safe evacuation, move away from the danger and find shelter in a pre-designated area of refuge or an area with a window to allow rescue.  If possible, victims should make every attempt to notify rescuers of their location.

8. If victims are unable to evacuate, they should take all available actions to seek secure cover, such as locking doors and/or hiding in an area that provides maximum protection.

All of us live in a dangerous world that is only getting more dangerous and violent.  If you are someone who is in the public eye or speak out about controversial issues, you are more susceptible to acts of violence toward you and others around you.  Whether you want to admit it or not, high profile activities automatically put a target on your back.  Society has proven time and time again that there are “wackjobs” amongst us.  Not everyone is going to like what you have to say about the issue you are speaking about.  Unfortunately, left wingers and right wingers see their only course of action is to cause harm and bring peril to your doorstep.

What will you do when the wolf knocks on your door?  Allow yourself to become a victim or casualty?  Turn and ignore the wolf and hope it leaves you alone?  Fight the wolf off by any means necessary?  If you’re not strong enough to fight the wolf off, what about utilizing a sheepdog to protect you?  Why all the reference to wolves and sheepdogs?  The wolf is a predator.  The sheepdogs are those folks who will take a stand against the evil that continually haunts us and plagues our society that normal and decent human beings want to be a part of no matter what your cause is.

It is terrible what happened to U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords and those around her at the time of the attack. My heart grieves for all those involved.  Could this tragedy have been prevented?  The answer is yes! Hiring a Security Consultant, Executive Protection Specialist, Security Director, or some other Security Professional could have made a world of difference.  Threats and other random acts of violence that is committed toward an individual or group needs to be taken seriously and validated by completing a comprehensive Threat Assessment.  Hiring a Security Director to facilitate the security of all public and private events, including travel route and destination planning etc. is a critical must.  Any security service that is needed can be contracted with a quality security firm or you can provide the services in-house by hiring your own security personnel.  We must take a proactive stand and be strategic in protecting ourselves.  We must move away from the frame of mind that says “that will never happen to me.”  Every day that old adage is proven not to be true.

Gideon Protective Services, Inc. is here ready to assist you in all your security related solutions.  We are a full service Security Firm featuring Executive Protection, Dignitary Protection, Security Consulting, Church Security Training and Protection, Firearms Training, Uniformed Security Guards, and a wide array of other related Security Consulting Services.  Call us anytime at 888-305-6513 for a free confidential consultation to discuss your security needs.  You can also email us directly at info@gideonprotectiveservices.com.  We can also be reached on the web at www.executive-protection-services.com and www.executive-protection-services.net to learn more about the professionals at Gideon. Whatever you do, learn from the tragedies that have taken place and be proactive in protecting yourself and those around you.

• Unrestricted public access at most entry points does not allow for screening of individuals and their goods
• A large number of individuals coming and going allows for suspicious behavior to go unnoticed
• Multiple locations to place explosives (trash containers, planters, counters, etc.)
• Many people entering and exiting are carrying packages, making it difficult to identify potential hazards
• Vehicles routinely stop in front of entrances to pick up passengers or make deliveries so it is difficult for security to identify when surveillance of the property is being conducted
• Limited employee background checks fail to screen for potential adversaries
• Limited security force with limited training reduces the facility’s security posture and response in the event of an incident

A successful, or even unsuccessful, attack would have consequences well beyond the target facility and could result in:

• Many casualties and structural damage
• Activation of emergency services, such as law enforcement, fire, and rescue, taxing available resources in the community/region
• Jobs and businesses being lost, affecting mall owners and insurance companies
• A reduction in consumer spending and tourism if individuals do not feel safe in public venues

Security personnel are the first line of defense for a facility in the event of an attack or plotted attack. However, security officers are generally trained to handle and detect property crimes and crimes against the individual, not how to prevent and respond to terrorist-related incidents. Incorporating this type of terrorism-related training is just one protective measure that malls can take. Incident planning and preparation is also vital.

Some options for consideration are:

• Establish security procedures and a threat alert system, including a go-to person or telephone number for mall tenants to report suspicious activity
• Establish terrorism training programs for security staff
• Maintain an open line of communication with local law enforcement
• Know the delivery vehicles and staff who are routinely on the property
• Install security cameras around the property and facility
• Inform tenants and local law enforcement if there is concern about a special event that is to be held at the mall
• Maintain close liaison with tenants who might be logical terrorist targets
• Watch for people and actions that are out of place
• Make note of suspicious statements, people, items, and/or vehicles
• Eliminate any information from shopping center websites that may provide security information to
adversaries

Any suspicious activity should be reported to local law enforcement immediately.

If you have any questions about any of our services, such as Private Security Guards/ Patrol Services, Bodyguards, Executive Protection, Dignitary Protection, Church Security Training, Security Consulting, Armored Vehicles, Safe Rooms, or Firearms Training for you, your superiors, your company, your church, or someone you know, feel free to call or email Gideon Protective Services, Inc. for a free, confidential consultation. You can find us on the web. See all that Gideon can offer you.

If you have any questions about Safe Rooms, Security Consulting, Work Place Violence, Church Security Training, Armored Vehicle, Executive Protection, or Firearms Training for you, your superiors, your company, or someone you know, feel free to call or email Gideon Protective Services for a free, confidential consultation.  See what Gideon can do for you. Check us out at http://www.executive-protection-services.com  or our blog at http://www.executive-protection-services.net.

On 8-29-10, Clay Sannar, 42, a lay bishop with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was doing administrative paperwork on Sunday between church services when a man came into the Visalia church and asked for a leader of the church.  After being directed to Sannar, the attacker shot and killed him.  After the shooting, a caller identified himself to police as the attacker. Police then responded and there was a confrontation with several shots exchanged.  The suspect was hit multiple times. He was taken to nearby Kaweah Delta Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.  No police personnel were injured. The suspect did not seem to know Sannar, and he was not a member of the church, and no one at the church recognized him.

It is not known yet whether or not that particular Mormon Church had a Church Security Ministry Team in place, or some other security awareness training.  My heart goes out to the entire congregation and to the family of Clay Sannar. 

We should learn from this tragedy so that this sort of act of violence will not happen again.  Unfortunately, I think it will only continue due to the fact that we live in a fallen world that is in a state of permanent moral decay.  We all think it will not happen to us, but we couldn’t be more wrong.  We must protect our flock.  I urge all church members of all faiths to ask their church administrators what security plans they have in place should the wolf come knocking on their door for a visit.  If your church has a security ministry team, great, keep it tuned up.  If it does not, implore your church administrators to seek out security consultants and implement a security team.  Learn what options are available.  There is a security plan that can be tailored to any church setting or function.   

If you have any questions about any of our services, such as Private Security Guards/ Patrol Services, Bodyguards, Executive Protection, Dignitary Protection, Church Security Training, Security Consulting, Armored Vehicles, Safe Rooms, or Firearms Training for you, your superiors, your company, your church, or someone you know, feel free to call or email Gideon Protective Services, Inc. for a free, confidential consultation.  You can find us on the web.  See all that Gideon can offer you.

Before being confronted on steeling beer from his workplace, Thornton, 34, had no history of complaints/disciplinary action against him.  According to his girlfriend, Thornton possessed a pistol permit.  His relatives claim that Thornton, who is African-American, suffered from racial harassment, and finally ‘cracked.’ According to his girlfriend’s mother, Thornton said he found a picture of a noose and a racial epithet written on a bathroom wall.  While on the phone after the shooting, Thornton stated, “I killed the five racists that was there that was bothering me,” according to the uncle. However, according to a union official, Thornton never filed a complaint on grounds of racism. 

This incident suggests that active shooter incidents may involve individuals who do not exhibit traits that can signal a potential threat; such as aggressive behavior, or visible animosity towards coworkers.

This example demonstrates that security personnel (if applicable) and police may be confronted with a complex scenario; a chaotic scene at a large facility where it may be difficult to immediately identify and interdict the threat. 

If Thornton was being racially harassed, that is completely unacceptable.  Thornton should have filed a complaint with the proper authorities and the guilty parties dealt with as quickly as possible.  This incident seems all too coincidental that Thornton started shooting after he was shown video surveillance of him stealing from his own company.  Could the racial harassment have been an excuse?  I don’t know.  Either way, the Budweiser plant should have had on-site private security in place to expectantly deter and prevent such an incident.  Given the state of our economy and the slow gradual moral decline of our nation, people are “snapping” and resorting to violence like never before.  We are constantly seeing an increase in violence on all levels of society (workplace, schools, churches, shopping centers, etc).

If there would have been armed private security guards in place at the Budweiser plant, they could have assisted in the termination of Thornton just like standard practices at other corporate offices.  The terminated employee is generally escorted off the premises by security in an attempt to ensure that arguing or violence of any kind doesn’t take place.  The terminated employee is also told not to return.  If that employee returns at any time, they are generally confronted outside of the workplace or at the entrance to ensure the safety of the other employees, and to contact local law enforcement. 

Implementing private security at your place of employment, enhancing your existing private security team with current tactics and best practices could have kept this tragic shooting from happening.  Should a shooting take place, having armed security on-site could protect more lives than not and possibly stop the shooter.  History and facts have shown that active shooter incidents start and end before law enforcement arrives on scene.  

Implications of an Active Shooter

1. Active shooter attacks continue to occur in schools, workplaces, and public venues.
2. Disgruntled attackers may not signal their intent by openly revealing their hostility.
3. In the first few minutes, the initial response will involve facility security personnel (if applicable) and employees.  Response procedures should include:

• Evacuate the building if it can be done in a safe manner
• Relocate to a safe area and secure the area to the degree possible
• Call 911 and relay information as calmly as possible
• In order to aid responding law enforcement, do not lock exit doors.  When approached by a responding officer, stop moving and raise your hands so as to not appear as a threat. 

If you have any questions about any of our services, such as Private Security Guards/ Patrol Services, Bodyguards, Executive Protection, Dignitary Protection, Church Security Training, Security Consulting, Armored Vehicles, Safe Rooms, or Firearms Training for you, your superiors, your company, your church, or someone you know, feel free to call or email Gideon Protective Services, Inc. for a free, confidential consultation.  You can find us on the web.  See all that Gideon can offer you.

Thankfully the suspect was apprehended by Law Enforcement.  I don’t know about you, but this irritates me.  A church, which is supposed to be a safe place, has a brutal attack on one of its own, by one of its own.  It should make you think twice about hiring employees and volunteers.  A Background Investigation must be conducted on everyone working in and around the Church, or any other business entity for that matter.  The suspect in this case was a known Felon.  I can understand that the Pastor wanted to help the suspect out be enabling him to work in a way to rebuild his work ethic and to possibly become a contributing member of society.  But let’s be real, the recidivism rate of Felons and Paroles is 65%- 85% conservatively.  If you’re going to hire a Felon to “help him out”, they must be supervised at all times, and never left alone with women or children.  This should not be allowed or tolerated.  Felons have to regain the trust of the community.  Felons must not be left alone, period! 

Security measures must be put in place from open to close, 7 days a week, including church missions and special outings.  My heart goes out to the victim.  This tragedy could have been prevented with proper security awareness training.  Teaching and learning security awareness training can go far.  Learning what to look for and what the proper response can save lives.  However, awareness training alone is not the only answer.  It must be part of a comprehensive security strategy.  Other security related items to consider would be surveillance equipment, changing the opening, closing, and day to day procedures, Verbal Judo, and some simple hand to hand self defense techniques to aid in an escape.  I know some will say that is paranoia and we do need to militarize churches.  I agree we do not need to militarize churches, but some security measures need to be put in place.  We continue to see the horrible results when we do nothing.  Do you want to be a victim?  Everyone should inquire as to their churches security plan (if they have one).  If they don’t, urge your Pastors/ Priests to engage a Security Consultant to implement some security measures and possibly a security team.

If you have any questions about how to implement a church security team ministry, need refresher training for an existing church security team, or you want to learn more about church security training, feel free to call or email Gideon Protective Services for a free, confidential consultation.  See what Gideon can do for you.  Check us out at http://www.executive-protection-services.com or our blog at http://www.executive-protection-services.net.  Find out the many benefits to having a church security ministry team that benefit the church, church administrators, staff, and the congregation.

If you have any questions about any of our other services, such as Bodyguards, Executive Protection, Dignitary Protection, Security Consulting, Armored Vehicle, Safe Rooms, or Firearms Training for you, your superiors, your company, your church, or someone you know, feel free to call or email Gideon Protective Services for a free, confidential consultation.  You can find us on the web.  See all that Gideon can offer you.

California- USA
An executive protection and private security guard firm local to Southern California has announced its newest nationwide church security training division.  Since church violence is on the rise like never seen before, churches are starting Church Security and Safety Teams.  “It is a sad state of affairs when Churches today have to even think about “security” at their places of worship.  Churches used to be thought of safe, sacred places that you could go to and your safety was all but guaranteed.  Unfortunately, that’s not the case anymore” states President and CEO Grant Linhart of Gideon Protective Services, Inc. a Southern California based Executive Protection and Private Security Guard Firm.

Speaking further on church security training, Linhart states, “Violence that has steadily increased over the years doesn’t show any signs of slowing down as places of worship are seen as easy and “soft” targets.  Due to the fact society as we know it is in a state of decay, our churches and synagogues having become prey for the depraved and delusional, our churches must be defended and safeguarded”.

As reported by the Christian Security Network, risks are only going up for the faith-based community and are finally being reported and tracked.  The U.S. State Department now classifies faith-based organizations as one of the top five “at risk” groups in the world today.  The U.S. has seen tragic incidents of violence against Christian organizations and other incidents occurring on a frequent basis.

Some of the benefits of implementing a church security and safety team is reduced liability insurance rates and premiums, church specific SOP/ policy manual, initial and reoccurring training for security team staff, installation of a new or enhancing an existing security surveillance system, mitigation of emergency procedures, and control and monitoring of the children’s section of the church to name a few.

To learn more about church security training and the rise in violence towards churches, visit http://www.executive-protection-services.net/church-security/.

Gideon Protective Services, Inc (http://www.executive-protection-services.com/) is a full service executive protection and private security guard firm offering a wide array of security consulting services.  We bring the training component to your church, saving your congregation the hassle of traveling and extra training expenses.  We customize all of our security services to exactly what our client desires and deserves.

If you have any questions about Bodyguards, Executive Protection, Dignitary Protection, Security Consulting, Armored Vehicle, Safe Rooms, Church Security Training, or Firearms Training for you, your superiors, your company, or someone you know, feel free to call or email Gideon Protective Services for a free, confidential consultation.  See what Gideon can do for you.  Check us out at http://www.executive-protection-services.com or our blog at http://www.executive-protection-services.net or our Church Security Training Website at http://www.churchsecurity-training.com.

• Be Balanced
• Be Knowledgeable
• Be Realistic
• Be Willing and Able

These challenges can be accomplished by training your Church Security Ministry Team members to be observant, assess each situation as no two are ever alike, and then act in response to the situation based on prior training and skill set.  Church Security Ministry Teams need to remember we are still representatives of our churches, and ultimately of God. We must act accordingly.  Let’s be perfectly clear.  We are not militarizing churches; simply put we are observing and assessing people and situations in hopes to be mindful, not fearful.

Having this preparation and training already established puts us in the driver’s seat should any emergency arise.  Church Security Ministry Teams will know how to react appropriately and mitigate those emergencies we have talked about in this prior blog.  Church Security Ministry Teams must always strive and never lose sight of serving with a purpose.  In simple terms; Church Security Ministry Teams must fend off the wolf if he comes to prey on the innocent, just like the sheepdog does with the flock its set to watch over.

Let’s go over a quick lesson in observation-
• Observe with a purpose
• Check and scan hands, waist, and then eyes
• Make eye contact
• Don’t forget to smile and greet fellow church members
• Use reasonable judgment
• There is not one profile that represents a threat, past church violence showed no discrimination
• Observe unusual behavior, clothing, and emotions
• Look for environmental safety or security hazards in the church buildings

Here is a food for thought scenario.

While in the lobby you see a man who attends your church walk angrily up to a car driven by his wife and begins to yell at her. He kicks at the door and picks up a rock and breaks the window.

What would you do?

If you have any questions about how to implement a church security team ministry, need refresher training for an existing church security team, or you want to learn more about church security training, feel free to call or email Gideon Protective Services for a free, confidential consultation.  See what Gideon can do for you.  Check us out at http://www.executive-protection-services.comor our blog at http://www.executive-protection-services.net. Find out the many benefits to having a church security ministry team that benefit the church, church administrators, staff, and the congregation.

If you have questions about any of our other services, such as Bodyguards, Executive Protection, Dignitary Protection, Security Consulting, Armored Vehicle, Safe Rooms, or Firearms Training for you, your superiors, your company, your church, or someone you know, feel free to call or email Gideon Protective Services for a free, confidential consultation. See all that Gideon can offer you.

• In 2009 there were 29 church shootings
• Increase in societal pressures due to the economy (Domestic Violence, loss of income, alcohol and drug abuse, lack of God in people’s lives, etc.)
• Mostly Single Shooters
• Typically several firearms
• Large amounts of ammunition (co 1,000+)‏
• Specific Grudge or general hatred of Christians
• Shooting lasts for 3 to 10 minutes
• Most commit suicide
• Police are largely irrelevant to the outcome (this is because the avg. response time is 5-10 minutes)

OK, so there is some church violence. But the Bible surely doesn’t advocate defending yourself, does it? Lets examine one of several passages that support self defense.

• Nehemiah 4:17-19.  ¹⁷Those who built on the wall, and those who carried burdens, loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction, and with the other hand held a weapon.  ¹⁸Everyone of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built.  And the one who sounded the trumpet was beside me.

What does the security ministry team do when there isn’t any violent crime occurring? 

• Mitigate emergency and non-emergency situations (if and when they arise until the professionals arrive)
• Patrolling the facility inside and outside
• Assisting visitors with directions or questions
• Securing the preschool and nursery areas, lost parent/children issues
• Requesting and co-ordination of medical emergencies
• Clearing the parking lot, doors, and crowd for approaching EMS Units
• Escorting the offering from pickup to deposit into the safe or other safe location
• Special escorts
• Coordinate building evacuation

It all comes down to being the eyes and ears for the church reference security of all church members.  There will be rare instances, but sometimes there will be, a call to action.  Security Ministry Team members must serve with grace, a humble heart, and be mindful, not fearful.  Besides the church security ministry team be integrated into the church operations and providing a valuable service to its members, there is another huge administration/ financial benefit to having a security ministry team.  Insurance companies that know and see the value of having trained, on site church security ministry teams, offer a break/ discount to the churches insurance premiums for the churches active roll in lowering their overall liability exposure.

Follow along on next week’s church security blog to learn more about church security training.

If you have any questions about Bodyguards, Executive Protection, Dignitary Protection, Security Consulting, Armored Vehicle, Safe Rooms, Church Security, or Firearms Training for you, your superiors, your company, or someone you know, feel free to call 888.305.6513 or email Gideon Protective Services for a free, confidential consultation.  See what Gideon can do for you.  Check us out at http://www.executive-protection-services.com or our blog at http://www.executive-protection-services.net.