One of the most challenging parts about having a security ministry at a church is the struggle between having a show of security while not appearing paranoid, suspicious, or even like people are entering a militarized zone. Churches often struggle to walk the fine line between these things and finding a balance that is appropriate and Christ-like.
There are many things that we can do, but usually this starts at the top, with the support of pastoral staff and the direction of a Church Security Lead. It takes planning and conscious effort to balance these things, and when done well, it provides a safe and secure environment for everyone.
Many people who seek to do harm are looking for “soft targets” and places that they know they can enter unchallenged, or can even operate freely to satisfy their malicious intents. This includes volunteers, as churches are often welcoming and eager to encourage people to volunteer in various roles. Our church campus for example has an 80% volunteer rate, where 80% of the people that regularly attend are volunteers in some capacity. Our goal is to continue to encourage this, but to do it in a way that also protects the vulnerable among us.
Being thoughtful about how we want to be perceived in the church is the first step to being visible without being intimidating.
Security Team Member Uniforms
Uniforms for team members are a must for most churches. While technically possible to be incognito, this practice can hurt perceptions of church security instead of fostering trust. For example, a man standing in the kids’ area wearing regular clothing is likely viewed as just a regular kids’ helper. One wearing a uniform that clearly stands out offers a sense of security because this person has a clear role to play and is not just standing around.
One of the biggest struggles in having a good uniform is what it should say. For years our teams were using uniforms that said “Security” on the back of them, and honestly, it felt a bit like having a target on our backs while also being too aggressive. Over time this has changed, and now we have distinct shirts that are embroidered over the chest with “Security Team”. This makes it clear to both congregants and the police who they need to speak with if there is an issue, without being overly imposing or intimidating.
Greeter Placement
While often not thought of as the “security team”, greeters are usually the first line of defense. Shaking hands, giving fist bumps, and being present will often deter many bad actors from even entering the church. Security teams that partner closely with their greeters can also have advanced warning when something is off, and they notify their security team to follow up with someone. This is a great opportunity to hand the lead greeter a radio so they can stay in touch with the security team when needed.
Kids Check In
Having someone from the security team at the entrance of a children’s area is essential for safety, and it’s the most important security role in the church. In our own church, we have a rule that if there are not enough team members to cover all positions, the mandatory one is the kids’ area. This is non-negotiable, and if a scheduled team member cannot make it, someone else must jump in and meet the need. We must never leave children unprotected in our churches.
Parents see our team and know their kids are being watched over. This is also one area in which we insist that a team member in this area wears our official church security shirt. It informs parents who our team members are, and who they can contact if there is a concern. Visitors also see this presence and immediately feel comforted that their children have another layer of protection.
Church Sanctuary
One area that is a good idea to have undercover or incognito team members is in the sanctuary during service. This is a time to not draw attention to ourselves while also providing watchful eyes looking for anything out of place.
This is one area where, for example, a church may have team members incognito who can then call uniformed team members in to assist. Doing this allows the team to coordinate better, and it also provides a clear presence and shows official action when needed.
The Bigger Point
Churches that do this well do not look like they are placing security above God’s grace and protection or sacrificing safety. Team members should pray without ceasing and be in constant prayer both before, during, and after each service.
Preparedness goes beyond these simple things, and we will cover this in future blog posts. For now, may God bless you and protect you and your church!
