The Church – America‘s Final Safe Zone?
By Charles Brewster
As I reflect on my past 27 years in
law enforcement (the last 23 as a Special Agent with the United States Secret
Service), I realize that my call to ministry and specifically as the National
Director of HonorBound Men's Ministry is all part of God's plan. I have a
burden to minister to men and pastors about the state of our nation.
I am saddened to see senseless
killings and acts of violence become commonplace in our cities. Yet, at the
same time, I am awed by the stand people are making for Jesus. The shooting a
few years ago at Wedgewood Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas, and more recent
threats against public gatherings have added another tear in the fabric of our
nation.
The church, once a safe zone from
violence is no longer safe! For many of us the American church has always been
a safe place and a sanctuary from the world’s problems. The church was a safe
place where we could seek God and pray for others. Now we see the spread of
violence and physical attack coming directly into the church.
God is preparing His Church for this
hour. We must discipline and train ourselves to stand against the attacks of
the devil. Secret Service agents usually try to blend into their surroundings,
letting the attention go to the person they are protecting. Agents become the
watchful-eye of that person they are sworn to protect. The agents are vigilant
to identify anything that might enter into the safe zone that would cause harm to their protectee.
Our churches, however, are not
“safe” zones. The church is a storehouse, a place to feed hungry souls, restore
weary servants, and prepare believers to return to their worlds, ready to make
a difference for Christ. To reach those who are lost and involved in evil, we
must keep our churches freely open to all who might come and hear the
life-changing message of the Gospel.
As men
of God, we should, however, be concerned about making our churches a safe place
for those coming to the storehouse. If you are reflecting on the question "How
can I prevent violence from happening in my church?" please allow me
to share some insights from my 23 years of protecting presidents.
One key factor we learned in the
Secret Service is that even with proper planning and every protective measure
in place, if someone is willing to die, you cannot stop the person from
attacking. The difference is that damage may be minimized when proper planning,
training, and discipline are instituted.
For most churches, the front line of
defense is ushers. These men and women encounter guests to your church and make
that lasting first impression. They are also seen as authority figures,
extensions of the pastor’s authority. They need to be well-trained servants,
ready to respond to the needs of the pastor and the church.
Lines of Defense
Training is paramount to
building a perception of good security. The openness of our churches makes them
easy prey for criminals and other people looking to cause harm. There are some
simple lines of defense we can employ that will minimize a potential attacker.
·
If an assailant sees a well-trained staff, he may not attack. We
must make the extra effort to learn the names and faces of regular attendees.
In that way, guests are easier to recognize. In addition to making our churches
safer, recognizing visitors allows your ushers to immediately greet and assist
those visitors.
·
Treat ushering as a ministry—more than passing out bulletins and
taking up the offering. Don't use ushering as a
getting-your-feet-wet-in-ministry spot for new believers. Properly train your
usher staff to recognize and greet visitors.
·
Lock church doors that will not be needed for the particular
service or church function, keeping your local fire safety regulations in mind.
Use a central entrance; or when multiple entrances are needed, don’t leave them
unattended. Place an usher or greeter at every entrance to observe and serve
the people. Large churches may need to consider security guards for exterior
lots and obscure hallways.
·
Try not to have a function that is not properly staffed. Utilize
ushers or hosts for all events.
·
Utilize natural barriers to channel people toward desired
locations and keep them away from unused or unstaffed areas.
·
If a member of your congregation is a law enforcement officer or
federal agent, utilize their talents. Ask them to help establish a safety plan
for your church.
·
Develop a relationship with your local law enforcement agency. Ask
for training on how to handle different situations. Most departments have a
community relations officer that would be very helpful. Give your usher staff
the upper hand by requesting photographs from the police of people in your
community who may pose a threat to religious institutions.
·
Have a plan! Know what to do! Pray, pray, pray! Consecrate every
event and worker with prayer prior to the event. In this spiritual war prayer
is our only effective weapon. Pray for God’s peace. Realize that God is in
charge and that He has a plan for us. Make the house pure for His dwelling.
The Best Defense
In creating a safe, welcoming,
and open environment, our best defense is a strong offense. We can’t lock our
church doors and make our services “members only” events. We must welcome
everyone. We shouldn't be afraid; we should be on the move. Don't build a
fortress for safety but move out into the streets to secure a position in
Christ for the lost. Leave fear behind and get your church involved in the
community. Don't wait for the government’s solutions. We have the answer—Jesus
Christ!
Practical issues require practical
solutions, but spiritual problems require spiritual solutions. We must bring
both practical and spiritual solutions to our communities, letting the world
see the power of Jesus in us. Only then will we see our nation change as people
are drawn to the love of Jesus Christ.
People have noticed that things are
not right in
The Word of God speaks to us in this
familiar scripture that is most applicable today. “If my people, who are called
by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from
their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and
will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14,
NIV).
The unfortunate tragic school shootings,
and now church shooting remind us that we don't know when we will be called
home. It is more important than ever that we stand for God here on earth so
that we may be able to stand before God in heaven. We must prepare ourselves
for the battles in our lives that come from serving Christ. But we can also
look forward to victories because He has already paid the price.
In his 23-year career
with the