Why Church Security Is Essential and Prudent


 A


ccording to multiple reports, attacks targeting churches have increased       there were 137 shootings in Christian churches (Jannik Linder, “Church Shooting Statistics”). Unfortunately, hostility toward churches has escalated  - cember 2024, (Landon Mion & Lauren Green, FOX News), with more than 400 acts of hostility recorded in 2024 alone (Anugrah Kumar, “Over 400 acts of hos- tility against US churches in 2024; gun-related incidents more than doubled,” The Christian Post). What does this increase in attacks and shootings mean for congregations? Should churches live in fear of violence? Certainly not. Should congregations adopt a prudent posture of caution, safety awareness, and preparedness? Cer- tainly yes.


Christians are not called to live in fear. Scripture repeatedly exhorts us to


trust in the Lord rather than be anxious or afraid (Isa. 12:2; 41:10; Ps. 23:4; 46:1; - sight. Wisdom teaches that it is necessary for individual Christians—and by implication Christian congregations—to take reasonable precautions to prevent harm and violence (Prov. 14:15; 22:3). The Associate Reformed Presbyterian (ARP) Church is composed of con-


gregations that vary widely in size, location, and circumstance. Some congre- gations worship in established church buildings, while others meet as church plants in dual-purpose or rented facilities. Each setting presents unique security


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challenges and requires thoughtful, - pose of this article is not to prescribe a single security model, but to offer general guidelines that may be adapt- ed to the needs of each congregation and location. Ideally, best practices would in- clude the presence of paid local law enforcement to provide safety and se- curity during worship services. How- ever, it is recognized that many con-   means or logistical ability to employ - es, responsibility for safety necessar- ily falls to members of the congrega- tion who are willing and able to serve in that capacity. Any congregation that provides its own security must strictly adhere to all applicable state and county  of force. It is incumbent upon each church to research and understand its local and state legal requirements. The following recommendations are offered for ARP church security teams, and it is strongly encouraged that each congregation establish a designated security team.


Recommended practices include: • Post “NO OPEN CARRY” signs at church entrances. Even in states where open carry is legal, visible


     targets for aggressors and can


    when unknown individuals enter the building openly armed.


• Require all members of the secu- rity team to possess valid con- cealed carry licenses.


• Ensure that every security team member knows and is regularly


      rules, including:


      loaded.


The Associate Reformed Presbyterian


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