Church Security

We would never think of needing a security team in a small or even mid-sized church in years past, but as Bob Dylan wrote and entitled his album in 1964 "The Times They Are a-Changin'"  All of a sudden we are quickened into a world where the Sunday offering is looked at as easy money or the restroom becomes a place of gender choice.   Yes times are changing and we in church leadership have to adapt to the things that are being forced on the church.  

The offering to the normal church attender is sacred but to the addict who needs money the church offering becomes his ticket to a much needed fix.  To the non-custodial parent the church is an easy place to pickup his/her kids without any resistance form the custodial parent.  Many states now are in heated legal debates over the so-called bathroom laws, where transgenders can use the bathroom of their choice.  

The pastor's calling has changed from praying, preaching and teaching to loss prevention, security guard and investigator.  Adjusting to these changes is not easy but it can be done with some knowledge and planning.

Churches have become soft targets, so more crime will venture into the church just because of that reason.  No security guards or security systems protect from one who has ill intent.  

The first thing is that people are more important than money.  Advise those who are handling the offering if they are threatened, to hand over the money right away.  It is not worth dying for.  God takes on the responsibility for the loss and dealing with those who would steal it.

Secondly, We are living in a different time and place when it comes to domestic problems.  Children have become pawns in a game called, "How To Hurt Your Ex." When dealing with a child custody issues the experts are the authorities.  Call the police department or sheriff's office right away. Try to keep the parent from leaving with the child until the authorities arrive.  We don't always know the background of the domestic cases so we must try to protect the child as best as we can.  Even the non-custodial parent has rights and we don't always know what they might be.  We always  investigate claims and we always report child abuse . 

Thirdly, never in my life would I have thought we would be dealing with such an issue in the church as transgender use of bathrooms, but sin is sin.  So when it comes to your state and bathroom laws.  We must protect the innocent.  That is why children should always be chaperoned.  Now I'm not saying that we need to follow a child into a bathroom but it is fine to have someone of the same sex check the bathroom before the child goes in.  Also it is ok to ask someone to wait until the child finishes and comes out.  We must be on our guard because there is an evil one that desires to destroy the church and to take people captive in in the bondages of sin.

This is by no means exhaustive as to what security needs to be provided in our churches today.  These are some of the issues of the day that must be processed.

Blessings and be secure...