In today’s world, no one can be too careful, and that includes houses of worship. Recent surveys claim that 54% of churches have some sort of safety plan. Is your church one of them? Do you have documented procedures and trained staff? If not, I can help.

There is a lot to consider when putting together and training a church safety team. How many members are needed? How do you vet potential members? Will they be armed for threat response or unarmed? What will it cost to put together a team and keep them in practice? This is just skimming the surface of what you will need to consider.

I have been involved with training church teams in the past. It’s not just about threat response; it’s also about what happens after the threat has been stopped. Lifesaving first aid training can make all the difference for those who are hurt. Some won’t be able to wait until the paramedics arrive. Your safety team should be trained to “stop the bleeding” using appropriate supplies and devices. This part is a must for any safety team.

I spent four months training a church team once. We set a high bar for safety, awareness, and tactics. All churches should.

I would like to point out that for houses of worship, I’m donating my time. I have some expenses to cover (targets, handouts, training aids, etc.), but for me, this is a mission. I have come to realize that being a sheepdog guarding the flock is my strong point. You will likely have some in your congregation who would meet that calling too.

Feel free to contact me for more information. I will do walk-through security assessments and give recommendations as needed, and do any consulting you would like at no charge.

Pray for our country; we need it. But always remember that God is in control.