Church security

With the seemingly increase in attacks on churches that I believe will only increase,
does your church have a security plan in affect?
If not I would advise you to do so. Many police and sheriff departments offer training in security and all should take advantage of it.
We have security cameras out side that monitor the parking lot and the drive to the building and record all activity outside. These are monitored during our services. We have two men who are retired policemen who have trained others in our congregation. Several of our members have conceal carry permits, and do carry even during services.
All our doors can be locked so no one can enter unless some one inside opens the door for them, but do allow all to exit anytime.
It is sad we have to take such measures but we want to keep everyone safe.

Our church doesn't have a security team but does lock all but the main door after the service begins.. I talked to one of the elders about a security team and told him I'd volunteer if they stood one up.

The one guarding the donuts and coffee for the after-service fellowship is packing an AK47. The dark shades he is sporting could be problematic though.

I did security at a Baptist Church.
Monthly meetings after church with ushers were ideal times to take in house classes on it. Our local police were government employees that I called upon for help at times. My experiences and realistic expectations with some were over the top rediculous. They were the opposite of peace officers working public safety, but that was in my county at the time.
If that sounds sacrilegious, they are only men. Some police were involved in committing felonies and were cowardly at best. From what I have learned here, there are those who are blessed with honorable government employees in their area. I've known a few and had a couple in the family too, so I don't paint every one with the same brush. My most recent call to report a crime in progress had a quick response that I expressed much gratitude for.

I give credit where due and am honest about that. Only a fool idolizes everyone for a polyester uniform they wear. That allows me to honor those who were truly honorable and bless their families. That respect was earned both ways. Jesus is our King.

What worked for us was to start with a basic NRA class and move forward where training was available. I taught personal protection and crime prevention classes, so used my credentials for that. Your churches have all kinds of experts in differing fields. They should serve the Lord by utilizing their God given talents and volunteer to get training to serve the Lord and take on the role as protectors.

Our church had an ex convict who owned the connecting property and he had use of our parking lot as his driveway. While I attended the church, we discovered that he shot his daughter with a shotgun. He served a little time and was released. I took special note considering Mom's second husband was a psychopath reprobate. I was for Ed to watch my little brother's murder and God protected me on more than one occasion from his attempt to murder me too. Once he tried to shoot me in the head with a 12 ga shotgun.
That compelled me to aquire professional training as an adult.

Our neighbor who previously shot his daughter demonstrated his hot temper by barging into the church during the service and the pulpit at times, so we had to make sure we were aware of the environment and attend any issues.

We should keep in mind that God uses His people, men to defend His church. Ultimately He is our Protection. He does have reasonable expectations for men to protect their families and churches. If we seek Him and His training, He always provides.

Our church has a safety team. There are probably about 10 or 11 of us on it. We rotate around to different stations weekly, west doors, east doors, front pew, rover, etc....
There is a team leader that coordinates things.
There are quite a few of our members that are not on the team, but still carry on a regular basis. There are cameras in various locations in the building. We all carry radios with over the ear speakers.
We also have a city police officer that is present in our coffee/meet/greet area.

Pastor knew me well and told me he wouldnt have a problem with me carrying in church. He moved on and I moved out. That is another story.

It's like anything else. People drive through the parking lot with potential weapons far more powerful than any handgun. They are going all directions and must watch for children and those in blind spots. Nobody bans those from church property because someone might use it to harm another. The sidearms should be shown proper respect of carry and practice at the range. I have no problem if most families carried concealed.

I believe you and it's good that you have that much support.

Your description reminds me of an occasional security guy that my former pastor used to hire. 😎He'd show up on holidays, stereotyped all dressed in black, huge guy that I welcomed back.
He insisted that he attended each week. I didn't go there. I wasn't trying to embarrass him, just being polite. He explained that he knew I was packing from the weight shifted on the left as I leaned against the counter. He told me where he thought I carried.
Then I was a little embarrassed because I really had no handgun on.
I was resting against the counter where I pick up tracts.

Then he said as he looked over his shoulder at people I knew, "We all carry earpieces for comms."


Oh really? I did not see those.

Yeah, he said, they're clear so you can't see them. My team is all over the room!

I see them every week and we often talk. I didn't know that I had so many friends on the security team.
It was all I could do to not bust out laughing loud.😂
I wear these for hearing protection.
They work for gunshots and CCM.
I pull out the plugs I put in before entering the auditorium. Our band was too loud.

my church has a police officer ( sometimes 2) at the services..

Peter's plan of security in the garden of Gethsemane had Jesus replacing an ear. I'm not sure what made me think of that..but there you go. Lol. This ol lady is going to bed. nite