Church security team...

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BrandonM

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I’m a member of our “extended greeters” team. We always have one guy in the lobby and 3-4 more in the service. We all have radios with ear pieces. We only have one way onto the church property and the driveway is about 250yds long. From the main lobby you can see someone before they turn off the road and onto the property. We can also see about 1/2 the parking lot as well. We are pretty well set up from a tactical standpoint from anyone being able to drive up and get the drop on us. The other issue would be someone already in service who starts shooting. That’s why we have 3-4 guys in service every Sunday as well. Our kids building stays locked during service and is only a few yards from the main lobby where we stand watch. There are 2 radios we keep on stands in that building also. We’re probably more likely to have to deal with a parent who is dealing with custody issues trying to show up and get their kids when they aren’t supposed to than an active shooter situation. We have discussed and planned for both however. We have also met a few times to discuss logistics and who is responsible for going where / doing what in an emergency. We’ve also used simunition guns to train in the church buildings after hours. Airsoft can be just as effective for much cheaper though.

I would guess that on any given Sunday there are more than a dozen armed men in a service. There are only a small handful of us that are in the role as extended greeters though. Usually I just stand there and open the door for the stragglers who can never make it to service on time. Most would never think of it as a security type of position. That’s what we want.

take the time to meet, plan, and train. Anything short of that is a disservice to your congregation. Every shepherd carried a staff. It was as much for protecting the flock as it was for directing the flock. Good luck!
 

Cowcatcher

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I’m all ears. Several in our church carry. Some have more training and what I may call “shtf experience” than others. The idea of putting a more organized “security team” was brought up at last weeks board meeting where I serve. Thanks to all y’all that have shared kinda what y’all do.
 

yukonjack

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If you wanna see real church security in action go visit LifeChurch on I-35 in Edmond. Especially the 4:00 p.m. services on Saturday when Craig Groschel preaches live. That's like Secret Service level stuff. Also a sad commentary on what our country has become.
 

donner

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If you wanna see real church security in action go visit LifeChurch on I-35 in Edmond. Especially the 4:00 p.m. services on Saturday when Craig Groschel preaches live. That's like Secret Service level stuff. Also a sad commentary on what our country has become.

with respect to the good preacher, Religion as a multi million dollar business might be contributing to this particular example somewhat.
 
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EKing

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Armed response is an important part of a security plan, but don't overlook the rest of the need for security.
In every church, we are way more likely to encounter the following scenarios than an armed intruder:

1. Medical emergency. Do you have an AED? Is anyone trained in First Aid. Will an ambulance have a hard time finding your church or the right door?
2. Natural disaster. Where are you going to huddle the congregation in the event of a tornado?
3. Domestic issues. Who is allowed to pick up children? What to do about a father who is not allowed to be near his children?
4. Random stuff. How will you handle a drunk who shows up ready to fight because the church didn't give him cash?

These are just the beginning of a church security plan. Your pastor has probably already thought of all these scenarios and most likely feels personally responsible for their execution. There are organizations that specialize in training teams and helping churches implement a security plan. I've been to one of the seminar/training sessions and it was eye opening. It's not free and sorry, I don't remember the name.

When drafting and presenting your plan, show the church that you are addressing a total safety/security approach that serves as a ministry of the church, you are not recruiting a private police force. Armed security will be a part of the plan, but don't let it be the focus.

Anyone who wants to be part of the church security team who doesn't bring something to the table other than "I like guns" is not needed.
 

Fredkrueger100

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We already have cameras around the whole building with a big monitor in the foyer to watch. We always have a person in the foyer armed to protect the entrance. We have people walk around and check doors and windows throughout the service and we have numerous people that carry. Some of which are women. My wife being one of them. But some of them are in their 80’s. One of the elders wives suggested yesterday that we have each carrier sit in a certain spot to spread us out the best. And all our doors are locked. It’s good to know we are taking it seriously.
 

hunter966

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GED,
Our church size is very similar to yours and we have a security team. We have 3-4 of us that carry regularly but the rest are older fellas and don’t carry.

Our church was/is all for us to be armed. Of course we lock the doors once Sunday School and big church starts and one of us watches the door and checks all the others to make sure they’re locked.

But it’s gotten to the point that just one or maybe two is all that shows up to do all this. Wished I had the solution to get everyone back on the same page.
 

dennishoddy

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with respect to the good preacher, Religion as a multi million dollar business might be contributing to this particular example somewhat.
Seriously? A quick google search shows churches with small congregations have been victims of mass shooting in a disproportionate manner vs the mega churches.
 

donner

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Seriously? A quick google search shows churches with small congregations have been victims of mass shooting in a disproportionate manner vs the mega churches.

I'm sorry, you must be struggling with the threading again. Since i was referring to the quoted post's comments about that LifeChurch and Craig Groschel (who was directly mentioned), yes i was being serious. His fame/personal wealth probably creates a larger security concern than A) when he is not preaching and B) than a smaller church would face. Thus the need for even *more* security when he is present. As the comment i referred to mentioned.

Not sure why you feel the need to attack so many of my posts, but if you're going to keep doing so, please at least follow along better.
 

dennishoddy

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I'm sorry, you must be struggling with the threading again. Since i was referring to Craig Groschel (who was directly mentioned), yes i was being serious. His fame/personal wealth probably creates a larger security threat than A) when he is not preaching and B) than a smaller church would face. Thus the need for even *more* security when he is present. As the comment i referred to mentioned.

Not sure why you feel the need to attack so many of my posts, but if you're going to keep doing so, please at least follow along better.
I was having zero issues with posting. I merely replied to your incorrect statement and what may cause church shooting issues.
Now for factual conversation, how many mega churches have been attacked for a mass shooting, and how many small congregations have been attacked by mass shooters?
I'll let you do the homework that I've already completed so you can get the numbers correct in your head before you reply.
 

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