Got Church Security?

[smince]

This may be a little sticky or controversial, but it seems that many of the stories about church violence/shootings stem from family problems. Ex-spouse comes in and shoots wife/husband, etc. So, how does the team learn about these situations and how do you handle them?

If the Pastor knows about such a possible event, will notifying the security team be a violation of confidentiality? I don't think so, as the overall protection of the congregation should be an overiding factor. A mark of a good team (and good team members) is discretion. As we don't want gossips and people who tell everthing they know in the church, we certainly don't want them on the team. I would guess that 90%+ of our church never knows of the incidents we have handled on their behalf. They just joyful worship our Lord as they should.

A couple of years ago, a lady from our church went through a messy divorce. Her husband abused her physically and she finally had enough. Very tactfully, I asked her if she thought he might show up at church and cause a scene? She told me she "didn't think so, but she didn't think he was abusive when they married either, so her judgement might not be the best to go by." We posted extra people to watch for him for a while, but he never showed.

More recently, another young lady broke up with a long-time boyfriend. He completely lost it after the break-up. He obtained a gun and was arrested on government property threatening suicide. He has undergone psychiatric counseling and is currently free, so is there a possibility he may show up? I would err on the cautious side and we will be on the lookout for him if he shows up.

Certainly, if you have a smaller church, you may find out about possible family or personal violence easier than in a larger or mega-church. But it would be in the best interests of the entire congregation if the security team knows about any of these types of incidents and has as many details as possible.

Discussion?

[RTMetz]

My wife recently joined the security team at our church. She's the only female on board. In a way it makes me sick that my wife is more of a warrior than 99% of our male congregants, but at the same time, I'm damn proud to call her my wife and my daughter's mother. The only concession I demanded of our team leader was that she is MY partner. I'm not placing her life in any hands other than God's and my own.

[michael]

Originally Posted by RTMetz

My wife recently joined the security team at our church. She's the only female on board. In a way it makes me sick that my wife is more of a warrior than 99% of our male congregants, but at the same time, I'm damn proud to call her my wife and my daughter's mother. The only concession I demanded of our team leader was that she is MY partner. I'm
not placing her life in any hands other than God's and my own.

I think that's great. My wife helped with Security at a VBS at my old church. A Security Manager from a local hospital (a friend of mine) and I planned the Security for the VBS every year for several years, and she helped us out, though more with keeping the kids herded in the right direction than anything (400-500 kids).

[LAS22]

Originally Posted by RTMetz

My wife recently joined the security team at our church. She's the only female on board. In a way it makes me sick that my wife is more of a warrior than 99% of our male congregants, but at the same time, I'm damn proud to call her my wife and my daughter's mother. The only concession I demanded of our team leader was that she is MY partner. I'm not placing her life in any hands other than God's and my own.

Awesome! What a blessing that she is willing to defend the members of your church from the evil of this world.