Prepare to defend. Unless I’m on the patrol that day. At our church, the individual in this scenario would have several guns “on him” really quick.
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Being on thre church security team we would have our team members helping to get everyone to a safe area (preferably outside) and anyone not attending to the safe escape of everyone would be dealing with the problem as the pastor calls the police.
Ther persons actions after claiming to have a gun would dictate the response of the team. No one wants to spill blood in the house of God, but if it’s taking the person out or watching members of our church be gunned down… well there is no choice.
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I’ve taught the active shooter class to our volunteers. The volunteers are instructed to get out of the way if possible (like going to the sides in the lobby) or get down, like if in the auditorium, and take a congregant with them. If the attendees see them getting down, they will too. Let the security team do their job. Absolutely don’t get in the potential crossfire between the security and threat. That includes running out once the security guy passes your row. Last thing you need to be is an unintended casualty because the threat shot at the security guard, and hit you because you were in the aisle trying to escape.
Don’t try and take the person out yourself, the security team won’t know your intentions, and you’ll just be a distraction to them.
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On another note, I stopped going to a church because the pastor refused to take actions to protect his congregation and didn’t want me carrying. That church would be a death trap, only one way in or out, no cover or concealment. I did NOT feel comfortable with him not wanting to have security measures. Therefore I stopped going and explained why I was not returning.
I was always told, God helps those who help themselves and the church I go to now is safer and ther pastor listens to us on security measures.
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I believe in God and that Jesus is still my Savior but I don’t go to church anymore. Got “ex-communicated” from my last congregation for getting a divorce. My kids were attending and they got shunned, also. Tried finding a congregation at the beginning of this year because I miss the fellowship. The preacher started a rant about “christians” need to create a Utopia here on earth and that Jesus was an illegal alien. Amazing!
Sorry to see a need for a protection force in church. Sad to see Christians becoming targets in the USA.
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It very hard to find a church that feels like family.
Online isn’t the same as being there
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I am on our church security team. I would immediately engage the agitated gentleman in conversation, using calm and reassuring tones to ask him questions that force him to slow down to answer, and continue to do so while the rest of my team has him covered and others are able to evacuate quietly. I was a trained hostage negotiator as a police officer, and taught crisis intervention, domestic disputes etc. at the Police Academy. I would, in this example, use my soft skills while other members of the team are prepared to take further action if needed.
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Not to get religious on you guys but I heard someone say Judas was a disciple of Jesus. So was Peter and Thomas. All of them betrayed Jesus yet some fell away and others returned repentant. It helped remind me that I believe in the teachings but sometimes is led by poor leaders.
My Bishop had no gun signs everywhere about 3 years ago but was advised to remove them by a security consultant because it all of the church vulnerable. However, the bishop still says no guns. Many of us ignored it when the signs were up. Now I think one of the deacons carries. He has a military and highly classified security guard background.
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In one of the videos, the shooter arrived and chose where he sat, nobody making any contact at all.
Wouldn’t happen in our church even if I’m the only usher and handling camera duties. He or she will be led to sit where I can see everyone.
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Hello Ferdinand 1 thats the way to do it, each church is a little different in the ways they try to protect the flock and the way the church has been built some have places hide behind and some don’t, but that where the church council or what ever they call themselves get together and work it out for there church. I’ve help a couple of the people understand what it take to be on the watch for the bad people and how to disarmed them if possible or how to take them down.
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Just asking. Is this a thing where people tell you where to sit? I dont attend often but have never been told where to sit in a church. …
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This is unique this year due to social distancing requirements. We don’t tell them where to sit. We ask where they prefer to sit, left or right.
During normal and abnormal times, our goal is to make sure everyone, whether they arrive on time or late, gets their presence acknowledged. We want people to feel they’re wanted so they don’t up and leave but stay at least to listen to the Word.
Also, my guess is people with bad intentions want to be inconspicuous, like sleeper cells.
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I understand the meet & greet just not the rest.
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“Led to sit” should have read, “shown to their seat.”
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I am on our church safety team and we had an incident similar to this several weeks ago. A middle aged female got up and went to the front of the center aisle and started talking in a loud voice and waving her hands just before the pastor started his sermon. I could see her hands from my position. They were empty and in the clear. I watched her to try and determine her intentions. After a few moments she exited out the back of the sanctuary and I followed her. I was also met by several other safety team members. We could have confronted her in front of everyone, but since we could clearly she she had nothing in her hands we chose to confront her after she exited. We ushered her front the building and had our law enforcement officer trespass her from the facility and grounds. Had she had a weapon in her hands things would have been handled differently.
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What did she scream about, do you remember specifics on that?
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She was saying that she should be the one on the platform preaching. She smelled of alcohol. Our officer had dealt with her before in another time & place and said she did not have a history of violence.
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Gotcha, was just wondering if she had some political agenda, violent intentions, a personal issue with someone, etc.
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Push my family towards cover and follow myself while keeps eyes on the potential threat, working towards a clear shot just in case and keep at the ready. My church does not have a security team. I sit towards the rear corner with easy sight on all entrances and exits.
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It depends on the location of the one being disruptive. If he is near me I would try to get him/her to the ground as soon as possible. We do have active and retired officers in our church and have been through some training on how to respond, We have incorporated a communication system to alert all in the building if this were to happen. Our Youth Dept has had practice drills and improved the lock-down or evacuation time.
Our number one objective as defenders of our members is to attack and disarm.
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