Church Security POI

[Gunnyart]

Yesterday I was standing a post in the back of the sanctuary. The lead usher points out to me a guy wearing a heavy jacket and looking around periodically. The rest of the team was informed that we had a person of interest and put out his description and location. I took up a position behind him close enough to where I could "crash in on him" and just watched.

When the meet and greet time rolled around another team member took up a position to offer him a good angle without anyone behind him and I went in to shake his hand to get a "feel" for him. While I had a hold of his hand in a friendly manner I managed to casually brush his right hip.

I didn't detect the obvious presence of a holstered weapon and even if I had that wouldn't be a big deal. We welcome folks to carry at our church. The issue was he appeared to be someone on a heightened sense of alert and dressed in a suspicious manner indoors.

Our goal is to make everyone feel welcome especially newcomers so as friendly as I could muster asked "is it your first time here?"

He obviously had picked up on the fact that we were keeping an eye on him and said,
"no, I've been here three or four times but my job makes it difficult to get here every week" ....and flashed his BADGE!

I didn't ask to see ID at that time and lets face it anyone can get a badge so, we stayed on a heightened state of alert until after the service when our team leader asked to speak with him and long story short I think we have a new LEO team member for our safety/security team.

[wsteffen]

It's not an easy situation to be in. We're there to keep everyone safe, but also to welcome new visitors. We've had the same type of situation in the past and all turned out fine.
It's hard to remember at times, that our first goal is to greet new visitors and make them feel welcome. At our church, we have just started having one or two of our team staged at the door to welcome new people and show them around.
We all need to remember that our primary goal is to welcome everyone to our church.

[Buckshot-73]

Gunny, good on you for being vigilant. These days, you can’t be to careful. I pray the new member will understand your caution.


DO NOT pay attention to the few conspiracy taxis that will try to shame you into the belief that you should be a victim acause you don’t have the right to protect your flock.

[3DW5]

Nerve racking situation for sure, glad it worked out. Had a drunk walk in about a month ago with a backpack that he refused to move from his chest, my uncle was about to draw on him because he kept walking towards my uncle but luckily he simply passed out from being so drunk. Strangest thing I’ve ever seen.

[Gunnyart]

It's not an easy situation to be in. We're there to keep everyone safe, but also to welcome new visitors. We've had the same type of situation in the past and all turned out fine.
It's hard to remember at times, that our first goal is to greet new visitors and make them feel welcome. At our church, we have just started having one or two of our team staged at the door to welcome new people and show them around.
We all need to remember that our primary goal is to welcome everyone to our church.

I didn't talk to him again after the team lead but I saw him taking his application for a background check so I assume especially being someone "on the job" he understood.

It is a balancing act. You are correct our primary goal is to be welcoming, while remaining vigilant to threats without being threatening ourselves.

[meltingfeather]

Figuring out the balance of vigilance and welcoming arms is going to be a challenge. We need more discussion and to learn from each other-- thanks for starting the thread.

[RattlesnakeDan]

A few years back we had a young man show up in a black trench coat and wearing makeup. People were freaking out and someone came and told me about him. I kept him out of the sanctuary area and sat him in a room and had a long talk and eventually escorted him out of our church. He was there to cause trouble and was a demonic babbling guy. I do not know if he had a gun but it was very possible. So I stayed outside for the rest of the day to make sure he didn't return. Some guys out there with bad intentions to be sure.

[Tuffbroadhead]

Be careful what terms you use...most churches with well put together programs know to omit the term "Security" or they do things the correct way and get a "Letter of Authority" from the DPS/PSB and build a internal Security team within the guidelines set forth by the PSB.

[Ryan C]

We discussed this at meetings after church yesterday as well. Fine line to walk. We are a small rural church but on the main highway. Hate that we have to think like this these days. Do yall know of any good training courses for active shooter type scenarios like this?

[cj7zrcool]

I find it so disheartening that security teams have become necessary for places of worship. Several years ago I wrestled with the decision to CC at church, wondering what the good Lord would think of such a practice and if it ever became necessary, how does "thou shalt not kill" enter into the whole scenario. Ultimately I concluded (in my opinion) that He would want His children to be guarded against evil doers, and that in the past he had sent followers to vanquish those attackers. Our society has cultivated such a lack of respect for life in so many ways now that people have just become desensitized to violence & murder. It's a very sad commentary.

[Mike]

Figuring out the balance of vigilance and welcoming arms is going to be a challenge.

So very true. Things are going to be tough for everyone and your jobs/volunteer work are not envied. I can see it now that churches will be scrutinized over their decisions and will appear with less than open arms, so to speak. However it is necessary.

I have always used 2 stories in my training and teaching of customer service about judging a book by it's cover. Both are from personal experience and are very relevant IMO. I will still relay the same info but with a caveat for sure considering the changing times.

[Gunnyart]

Be careful what terms you use...most churches with well put together programs know to omit the term "Security" or they do things the correct way and get a "Letter of Authority" from the DPS/PSB and build a internal Security team within the guidelines set forth by the PSB.

I am not speaking in anyway on behalf of the church and used the term Security when I should have said safety team. Thanks for the heads up.

[HogHunter34]

We discussed this at meetings after church yesterday as well. Fine line to walk. We are a small rural church but on the main highway. Hate that we have to think like this these days. Do yall know of any good training courses for active shooter type scenarios like this?

We had a local guy come to our church that goes around to schools, churches, & businesses doing active shooter training. I was suckered into playing the role of an active shooter which I didn’t care for but someone had to do it.
This guy was out of the Tyler, Tx area.
We’ve also had training at our workplace via local county PD. You might check with your local PD on any training available or they may point you to a good resource

[TN_boy]

I have been carrying to church for the past several months. This past Sunday while talking to our pastor we shook hands and hugged after our conversation. While letting go he felt my sidearm during disengagement. After a momentary surprised stare he leaned in a whispered a thank you in my ear and reminded me that I could carry open or concealed anytime at our church.

[Bullseye07]

Be careful what terms you use...most churches with well put together programs know to omit the term "Security" or they do things the correct way and get a "Letter of Authority" from the DPS/PSB and build a internal Security team within the guidelines set forth by the PSB.

I believe churches are actually from those requirements. I could’ve been given bad information on that though.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk