Security for Churches, Houses of Worship and Nonprofits
Learn how to protect your congregation while staying true to your mission.
In a perfect world, the words “church” and “security” would never need to appear together. But recent headlines, including the mass shootings in Sutherland Springs, Texas, and Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., have shown otherwise. In addition to atrocities that make headlines, nearly 2,000 violent acts at churches have been documented between 1999-2018.
Still, most churches have little or no security. Reasons include:
Denial of the risk
Fear of projecting a militaristic image
Lack of a plan or resources
We’re here to serve. The information on this page will help you understand:
The risks of church violence and its sources
How to begin a church security ministry with just two volunteers
Insurance to protect your church from lawsuits related to church violence
Active Shooter and Violent Incident Insurance
The risk
The number of assaults at houses of worship and workplaces is increasing. An assailant could attack a church or nonprofit, resulting in serious injuries or death.
Risk scenarios
An injured person or family member of someone who was killed or injured sues your organization for failure to prevent an attack (even if you did everything you reasonably could to prevent it).
Coverage
Active Shooter Liability Insurance. This helps fund an organization’s legal defense against claims of negligence. We recommend insurance be coupled with security training and the development of a church security ministry. A related coverage is Catastrophic Insurance, which funds counseling and other services related to recovering from a traumatic event.
Watch security training videos for houses of worship and nonprofits
Vaughn Baker: Churches and Nonprofits Can Prevail in a Security Crisis
How to respond to an active shooter? Lock Out, Get Out, Take Out.
When it comes to church and nonprofit security, the best can become the enemy of the good. An organization doesn’t have to figure out every detail in order to begin. In fact, you’ll never figure it all out because society and security continue to evolve. In this Ministry Pacific Insights interview, Strategos International President Vaughn Baker explains the company’s unique “Three Outs” approach to responding to a potentially violent threat.
Vaughn Baker on Church Security in an Age of COVID, Conspiracy Theories and Extremism
We live in a polarized and violent age.
Vandalism against churches has reached record proportions. COVID lockdowns have created social anxiety and disconnection. These phenomena add to the strain of previous societal fracturing that led to violence at houses of worship. These include:
The 2017 Sutherland Springs, Texas, massacre, resulting in 27 deaths and more than 20 wounded.
In 2014, a gunman killed nine members of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina.
The Faith Based Security Network reports 1,967 deadly force incidents occurring at churches between 1999-2018. Incidents include “abductions, attempted abductions, attacks, suspicious deaths, suicides and deadly force intervention.”
How can churches be prepared to respond to security threats in this ever-evolving and challenging environment? In this interview, Vaughn Baker, president of Strategos International, and Roy Harryman, of Ministry Pacific, address:
What is the greatest physical threat to churches?
How can a church with no security ministry get started?
Does your church need a security ministry if some of its members carry concealed weapons?
What kind of insurance should a church have to protect it from security-related lawsuits?
Does the presence of a church security team scare people away?
What kind of church security training is available and what topics are covered?
Is church security in conflict with the tenets of faith?
Vandalism is on the rise: Is your church or nonprofit prepared?
security expert Vaughn Baker SHARES practical ways churches and nonprofits can counter the rising tide of vandalism.
Churches have always experienced vandalism. Yet for a variety of reasons, they’re increasingly being targeted by vandals and arsonists. Some of the attacks are driven by anti-religious bigotry and political ideology. Some are merely fueled by a primal desire to destroy. Recent attacks go beyond graffiti and broken glass. Some church buildings have been damaged to the point they've become unusable apart from expensive repairs. Vaughn Baker, president of Strategos International, is an expert in both business and church security and provides several practical suggestions that can be implemented by congregations of all sizes.
MORE FROM STRATEGOS INTERNATIONAL
Download the “Three Outs” intruder response guide from Strategos International.
Contact Strategos International about security training at your church or ministry. Ministry Pacific clients receive a 10% discount.
