I “attended” a webinar (that means live seminar on the web - for those of us who are constantly learning technical terms!) this month on Seven Critical Security Tips for Churches put on by Fellowship Technologies.  It was an excellent presentation of ideas that churches should really look into in order to keep their children and church body safe.  The seven tips include:  Background checks; check-in systems; aggressive friendliness; emergency action plans; triage teams; emergency response team kits; and communications.

The speakers, Jeff Kowell, who heads up the Life Safety Ministry at New Life Church in CO, and Chris Wilson, President of Clear Investigative Advantage, presented stats and life experience on the need for a high, but friendly, level of security in churches.  Kowell told how he has gained some of his expertise in a way none of us ever want to become experts in church security…through a shooting that occurred in his church.  He and his team were prepared and stopped the shooter inside the building, but unfortunately, people lost their lives in the parking lot.  He said that although they had a team and policies in place, they learned from the tragedy and have since implemented even better safeguards to protect their people.

Both he and Wilson agreed that church safety-programs need to be in place in all sizes of churches, because problems are not just happening at large churches.  They stressed that even the smallest of churches should at least have gatekeepers/watchmen over the parking area, the adult service, and children’s ministry.  Children’s Ministry volunteers should all have a background check completed and wear a name badge, and the children’s ministry should have a check-in/out procedure.  Procedures for check-in/out can be as simple as handing out a matching ticket when children are dropped off and expecting it back when picking them up.

Fellowship Technologies has allowed me to post the website where you can download the entire webinar audio and ‘white paper’ that goes along with the talk (at no charge) by going to:  http://fellowshiptech.com/dynamicchurchtrends

If this type of church security seems like ‘over-kill’ to you, remember that Jesus instructs us in Matthew 10:16 to be “as shrewd as snakes and as harmless as doves” so security is just part of our calling to protect the children that have been entrusted to us.

If you know your church’s security needs an overhaul, but feel a little overwhelmed and would like some help, feel free to contact me and I’ll be glad to help you get started!

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