Church Security Becomes More An Issue

With church security threats moving beyond theft, embezzlement and sexual harassment to violence and shootings, churches are being urged to receive proper training to help protect their flocks.

"Churches are open and accessible for their fellowship, yet those who have a sole intention of doing harm have an easy access into the church. How do Churches prepare and plan for this violent phenomena?" posed Church Security Solutions, LLC.

The latest violence to hit a religious facility took place on Sunday in Knoxville, Tenn., where a gunman opened fire during a children's play, killing two people and wounding seven.

"Criminals know there will be very little resistance, very little preparation, very little security," said Jeff Hawkins, author of An Introduction to Security & Emergency Planning for Faith-Based Organizations, according to The Free Lance-Star, which noted this was the 17th major shooting in the United States at a house of worship since 1998.

The Knoxville shooting follows last winter's tragedy at a Colorado Springs megachurch and a missionary training center in Arvada, Colo. The December shootings left four people dead.

Church Security Solutions and its team of professional leaders have announced they will be touring the country over the next year to provide churches, big and small, training in security. CSS will visit major metropolitan areas with one-day conferences covering cameras and surveillance, threat assessment, legal and liability issues, data security and security team development. The regional conferences will also teach attendees how to control and manage a critical incident should one occur at their church or organization.

"Church leaders today face the unique challenge of providing an open and loving environment in the church without being mistaken for an easy target," says a statement on the CSS Web site.

The 2008-2009 Security Conference Tour launches in Aug. 14 in Portland, Ore., where Pastor Doug Newcomb of Faith Bible Church in Denver, Colo., will share "Lessons Learned" from the day he received the call about the tragic shootings that broke out just miles from his church.

[By Nathan Black - Christian Post Reporter]

Church Security

A city official said that a second victim has died following a shooting at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church Sunday in Knoxville, Tennessee.

The dead have been identified as 61-year-old Linda Kraeger and 60-year-old Greg McKendry.

Witnesses credit McKendry, a church usher, with shielding others during the attack which occurred as kids were performing a play.

Church member Barbara Kemper told The Associated Press that McKendry "stood in the front of the gunman and took the blast to protect the rest of us."

No children were hurt, but seven other people were injured. Five remain hospitalized, all in critical or serious condition.

Police said that the FBI is assisting in the investigation in case it was a hate crime.

One church member said that the gunman was shouting "hateful" words. Police have been collecting video cameras from church members.

The suspect, 58-year-old Jim Adkisson, is charged with first-degree murder.

The alleged gunman's motive is not yet known.

The church is known for promoting progressive social work, such as desegregation and fighting for the rights of women, gays and the homeless.

A church member told the media that the suspect was not connected to the church. He also said that the shooting happened as children were performing parts of the musical "Annie" during a regular service.

None of the children were believed to have been injured.

What does your church do to protect the pastor and congregants? Click "comments" below.

[Check out "Download Documents" in the right column of this Blog. One document is for security training for Ushers and Greeters.]

Church Security Legal Boundaries

One of the concerns that many churches have when they look at establishing a Safety or Security Team is what are they legally permitted to do?

Putting aside the well known separation of church and state limitations that exist, we all know that churches are required to follow both state and federal guidelines on many issues such as fire codes, employment regulations, food preparation standards, etc.

When we look at the legal requirements, trying to understand what regulations apply to a church security team can be a very taxing experience. Adding to the situation is the fact that the laws and regulations in two neighboring states can be vastly different. Some states have minimal regulations while others are very extensive.

In some states a church team must be a “Safety Team” not a “Security Team."

Finally, being “paid” verses “volunteer” can also determine what regulation you operate under.

Be sure to do you research well with your state department of Public Safety.

[By Jack Justice]

Church Security

We recommend a great web site with resources on church security issues.

Check it out at http://www.churchsecuritymember.com/.