Security Issues for Places of Worship

"I don’t want to attend a church where we have to lock our doors and monitor our entrances."

You may read this sentence and conclude there’s nothing wrong with it. If you find yourself nodding in agreement, please consider this. Is it a good idea to make policy based on how things should be, rather than on how things are? For example, I may decide to permit my children to be home unattended for long periods of time, because, children ought to be able to care for themselves, right? The danger implicit in this statement is strong.

There are two categories here. The way things ought to be (which is up for interpretation) and the way things are. The sad reality is that you and I live in an “is” world that has proven to be quite terrifying.

The congregation where I serve as pastor, St. Martin Lutheran in Birch Run MI, is in the process of implementing security procedures during worship services. A few months ago, I attended a day-long workshop put on by the MI State Police entitled, "Security Issues in Places of Worship." One of the more sober realities was communicated when a speaker shared this, "Shooters (be they in schools, churches or places of business) stop shooting for two reasons...they run out of ammo or are confronted in some manner."

The lesson I took from this was simple - heaven forbid that evil visit my or anybody’s church but if it does (and the possibility is there), it is my duty as a leader in my church to take at least simple precautions to avert, lessen or hopefully prevent this from happening. 

Now, the interpretation of what security entails and how it is actualized is open for debate and discussion. However, I feel strongly that all places of worship should have some form of security procedures. I found this quote from one of the officers particularly relevant, "The house of worship should be open for all to attend and feel welcome, HOWEVER, there needs to be a whiff of organization and accountability to the facility."

My prayers to God our Father for all congregations, that they take reasonable measures to ensure the safety of their worshippers. If you have questions or require more information, check with your state police, or local police officers, or district leaders or just do a google search. For me, the response to violence in our places of worship is simple and binary. We can do nothing and hope for the best, or, we can take reasonable measures and be prepared in case something was to happen. And make no mistake—it can happen at your place of worship.