First Things First: Security for Churches and Houses of Worship
Faith-based organizations need to wisely prepare for security threats. Strategos International offers these proven guidelines.
Ministry Pacific clients receive a 10% discount on services from Strategos International.
In an era of increasing threats, houses of worship must prioritize security without compromising their core mission of providing comfort, refuge and a place of worship. In this video interview, Vaughn Baker, President of Strategos International, outlines best practices for establishing and enhancing security ministries for nonprofits and faith-based organizations.
Drawing from his extensive experience in law enforcement and security training, Baker emphasizes measured action, character-driven team selection, comprehensive training, and a culture of awareness that amplifies hospitality rather than instilling fear. Key recommendations include starting with awareness training, developing written plans, and viewing security as a collaborative ministry involving all church members. By implementing these strategies, churches can mitigate risks, de-escalate potential threats, and foster safer environments for congregations.
overview of video discussion
Introduction
Faith-based organizations face evolving security challenges, from active shooters to everyday disruptions, as highlighted by recent high-profile incidents. Vaughn Baker, a 20-year law enforcement veteran and founder of Strategos International – a Missouri-based firm specializing in security training for churches, schools, and other entities – stresses that security is not about overreaction but strategic preparation.
The Need for Church Security
Current events often catalyze action, but Baker warns against overreacting, which can heighten dangers or undermine the church's mission. Knee-jerk reactions are seldom productive, and it’s no different with church security.
Disperse Fear by Acknowledging the Threat
People are already aware of threats via news and social media, which breed anxiety. Compounding anxiety are perceived "problems without solutions." Leadership should communicate transparently: affirm the risks, outline solutions, and reassure that plans cover "band-aids to bullets" (minor injuries to worst-case scenarios). Avoid hyperbole; Instead, emphasize preparedness as empowerment. For example, an email reaffirming existing security measures can build confidence without alarm.
Security as Everyone's Responsibility
Security is not confined to a dedicated team – it's a church-wide ministry. Every role contributes:
Ushers and Greeters: Remain friendly while scanning for anomalies.
Children's Ministry: Train on lockdowns, de-escalation for upset parents, and handling non-custodial visitors.
Parking Attendants: Monitor for suspicious vehicles or loiterers, as threats often originate here. More than half of church attacks begin in the parking lot.
By fostering a culture of shared vigilance, churches create "multiple sets of eyes" to detect behavior that precedes violent acts, enabling prevention or informed response.
Best Practices for Awareness and Prevention
Start small and build strategically. Immediate steps focus on environmental awareness, avoiding the temptation to arm people prematurely.
Immediate Actions for Awareness
Train on Baseline Behavior: Teach staff and volunteers to identify "normal" patterns (e.g., typical service flow) and spot deviations (e.g., anxious milling in the parking lot). Ask: "Why is this person acting this way? What will I do if...?"
Assign Observers: Designate parking lot personnel to greet while watching for red flags like erratic driving or unfamiliar faces lingering.
Basic Protocols: Introduce basic responses including lockdowns or alerts, without overwhelming volunteers.
These low-barrier steps enhance early detection, turning passive observers into proactive protectors.
Developing a Written Security Plan
A foundational document ensures alignment with the church's mission. Include:
Mission and Vision: De-escalation as the core goal; security that aligns with your organization’s values.
Personnel Selection: Prioritize character over credentials (detailed below).
Training Roadmap: Outline ongoing development.
Physical Assessment: Evaluate entrances, nurseries, offerings, and flows for vulnerabilities.
Aligning Security with Church Culture
Decisions must amplify the core mission of refuge and hospitality, not create a prison-like feel. Considerations include:
Attire and Presence: Plainclothes vs. uniforms; this could include off-duty officers in subtle roles to avoid militaristic optics.
Outcome Focus: Effective security should make the church more friendly, with team members acting as "greeters with a gun" –hospitable ambassadors ready to protect if needed.
De-Escalation Priority: Train on verbal skills and minimal force to resolve issues in camera-friendly ways, preserving the welcoming environment.
Building a Security Team
Selecting the right people is paramount; poor choices can compromise safety and mission.
Ideal Candidate Traits
Prioritize character before training – skills can be taught, but integrity cannot:
Humility: Measured by responses to "no" (e.g., accepting unarmed roles without pushing for guns or earpieces).
Discernment: Ability to make sound, time-compressed decisions in crowds.
Blameless Background: Conduct checks for criminal history; grace applies, but accountability to the secular world demands scrutiny.
Look for servant-hearted individuals from the congregation, connecting with people who have protective instincts, such as former military or law enforcement who align with ministry values. However, security team members need not be limited to people with military or law enforcement backgrounds.
Red Flags When Choosing a Security Team
Wrong Motivations: Over-eagerness for armament (e.g., "I just want to carry a gun") or status (e.g., mimicking TV "tough guys" with crossed arms and stern stares).
Freelancing: Discourage self-appointed heroes; channel protective zeal into vetted roles.
Insufficient Qualifications: A concealed carry permit (CCW) is inadequate for church settings – it's for home defense, not navigating 1,000-person crowds.
Recruit via announcements inviting those with "a heart to protect others," then vet through interviews.
Training and Preparedness
Training is the highest-impact investment – superior to technology such as cameras. Training must be ongoing, as skills (especially armed response) are perishable.
Core Training Elements
For All Staff/Volunteers: Awareness modules on suspicious activity, lockdowns, and role-specific responses (e.g., e-learning for ushers via short videos).
For Armed Protectors: Advanced firearms handling (standing, kneeling, movement in crowds; one/two-handed grips) beyond CCW basics. Include scenario-based, force-on-force drills for de-escalation, compliance/control, and use-of-force ethics.
Frequency: Regular refreshers for verbal, awareness, and physical skills. Annual assessments ensure proficiency.
Where to Get Training
Internal Start: Use free resources including Ministry Pacific's interview with Vaughn on de-escalation.
Professional Help: Engage firms such as Strategos International for tailored programs, such as the Firm Foundation Module (weekend assessment, training for all roles, and roadmap report). Options include in-person (firearms, tactical), online (e-learning), and policy development.
Customization: Decide on armed/unarmed, uniformed/plainclothes based on church needs.
View training as a ministry journey, integrating new members and retiring others seamlessly.
Communication and Culture
To avoid an environment of anxiety or sternness, organizations should focus on:
Transparent Messaging: “We see the problem and have solutions – from everyday safety to extreme threats.”
Recruitment Opportunities: Invite concerned members to join vetted teams.
Holistic View: Frame security as amplifying worship, not a "department" with enforcers. Success metric: A friendlier church.
Resources and Implementation Roadmap
Assess: Conduct a physical security review.
Plan: Draft mission-aligned policies.
Train: Start with awareness for all; armed team members require advanced training.
Implement: Roll out in phases, monitoring for mission fit.
Sustain: Annual training; integrate with insurance (consult Ministry Pacific for liability alignment).
Conclusion
Church security is an ever-evolving ministry that protects without paralyzing. By prioritizing awareness, character, de-escalation, and ongoing training – churches can create resilient, hospitable sanctuaries.
Act now: Start with conversations among ushers and greeters, develop a plan, and seek expert support. In doing so, fulfill the call to shrewd protection while embodying innocent grace.
