CRIME Notes on Church Security

Henry Bowman

Henry Bowman

Has No Life - Lives on TB
So some may know and others do not, In my church I am a member of the security team.

We have 6-7 members at the church at any given service. We felt it was needed because we have grown a tremendous amount in a somewhat short time span.

We have only had a small amount of incidents in the past year or so, a few medical things, possible domestic issue, some just downright strange people...That changed today.

The Majority of us carry and most have had security/police/ military/firearms/medical ( 2 Nurses, 1 paramedic and all first aid /cpr trained ) just for background.

Today, we had a very large attendance as there would be 5 Baptisms after service. Just after service started a, A guy dressed in all white , Headband with writing, white backpack , as well as a white KATANA wanted to get in. The member watching the door stopped him from coming in, telling him he would have to leave the sword AND backpack in his car or outside or we could store it in the security area (Basically part of the tool/storage area in the rear of the church) He refused. Seeing what was happening from the other side of the church I was able to direct the head of security ( A woman and former police officer) to that door, she told the individual he would have to leave, which he did but proceeded to go only to the outside parking area and stood there vaping furiously , texting on his phone. We did our lockdown procedure and called the police.

After 10-15 minutes the police showed up with 4 cars , they went to the OLD church address about 3 miles away until one of the officers who attends our church was able to radio the others and give them the right address. They arrived in force and were able to disarm him without any issue. When asked why he had the sword he stated ( He was black and somewhat hard to understand) "Jesus told us to sell our cloak and buy a sword , so I did" . After about 25 mins of cuffing and searching him and talking to him, they arrested him for menacing, simple assault, Disturbing the peace and other misdemeanors. So he got a ride to the local PD.

The point here is YOU NEVER KNOW what can happen. While we train together and go over different scenarios so almost everything went off without a hitch but can still be tweaked which we will do in the next week.

It made me think back to the Black woman who stated she wanted to make a black militia and rob white people along with other terror threats now as we get closer to the 911 anniversary.

If you dont have security in your church, you need to consider it. We are not in a major metro area, we are somewhat rural and some of the area is filled with resorts, not a high crime area to be sure but ANYTHING can and will happen so it is prudent to be ready and prepared.

The lesson is , always carry , understand the 21 foot rule and keep your head on a swivel at all times. The lead officer, a Sergeant, told us we did everything right and his feeling was this guy was there to kill someone, his eyes told the story.

Funny , after the incident , 2 different people came up and said now they understand why I and the others are always looking around at the parishioners , staring at waste level ( looking for gun bulges) looking at backpacks and constantly moving during service ( we have Childrens church and a nursery that we check in on 3 times during service and can be locked down if needed in a short few seconds.

But the final moral to the story is when seconds count the police are only minutes away ( In this case 15) Nobody is coming to save you...we are on our own. As good as the officers were, they cannot be everywhere, YOU are your best protection.

Hopefully someone will be helped by this.
 
Owner is a deacon in his church and he says the church is "Locked" once the service begins. Part of the duty of the deacon in the narthax (entry hall) is to keep an eye out the window for anyone who is late, or seems legitimate and want entry. Deacon will let them in.

Deacons "swap off" about mid-way through the service.

Owner says so far there have been no incidents.

Owner I think is more concerned with the late night "torching" or other damage to the church after hours. There is a fire alarm and sprinkler system - but a lot of damage could be done in a short time with a fire-bomb.

Dobbin
 
Wow. Good job. Yes, people in general are fundamentally changing. I had about a million children and adults walk by my house, screaming and yelling. I went outside and asked what was going on in a friendly manor. It was a school outing to a local park. The kids started hassling me, saying things like why are you looking at kids and such. Not the way any of us should behave.
 
Your security team is very good. Your procedures worked. There are a huge number of crazy people walking around who pose a threat on any given day. I predict lots of violence from the left after the midterms, since they are going to lose big time and will not accept the results. They will claim the results are fake and the only answer is to become violent and try to overthrow the government. Religious organizations and places of Judea Christian worship will become targets.
 
You stopped someone under demonic influence. Good catch.

As we have increasing issues with people falling under demonic control, these issues will tend to increase in number and severity.

This then brings the question, do we need to start doing blessings and baptismals to try and lessen this impact at higher rates.
 
I've been to several different churches over the past year and have always asked someone if they had security. They always said 'Yes!'

Of course this is Northern Idaho, so I have a hunch that a few who attend are armed as well.
 
Blacknarwhal said:
"Jesus said to sell our cloak and buy a sword." Taking it a mite literally, but points for aiming for obedience. That doesn't mean bring it to the temple, though.
Click to expand...

I'm glad @Henry Bowman took it literally, and brought his 'sword' to the temple along with his team - and their skills.

It's a war.

Prep and pray accordingly.

Good catch.
The adversary is not always that obvious...
 
Old Gray Mare said:
I miss the times when the church key hung on a nail under the outside stairs.
Click to expand...

Back when I was a kid, the church doors stayed open 24x7x365. Save haven when you were down on your luck and needed to sit down and pray, read or just think. Still remember the times I'd ride my bicycle 2 miles down to the church and sit in a pew and recollect in dead silence. Now everything is locked up tighter than a drum and you can't really be anonymous or they want to know why you are there sometimes only making matters worse.
 
Good job.

Good on the guy at the door not escalating the situation and noticing the threat before he got in.

Good communications between the staff and local PD.

You were, obviously, well deployed and in positions with clear fields/lanes of observation.

From the quick briefing you gave, I don't see where anything was done wrong.

I present you and your team the coveted

Ragnarok
1788137987387.png
Award
 
Henry Bowman said:
So some may know and others do not, In my church I am a member of the security team.

We have 6-7 members at the church at any given service. We felt it was needed because we have grown a tremendous amount in a somewhat short time span.

We have only had a small amount of incidents in the past year or so, a few medical things, possible domestic issue, some just downright strange people...That changed today.

The Majority of us carry and most have had security/police/ military/firearms/medical ( 2 Nurses, 1 paramedic and all first aid /cpr trained ) just for background.

Today, we had a very large attendance as there would be 5 Baptisms after service. Just after service started a, A guy dressed in all white , Headband with writing, white backpack , as well as a white KATANA wanted to get in. The member watching the door stopped him from coming in, telling him he would have to leave the sword AND backpack in his car or outside or we could store it in the security area (Basically part of the tool/storage area in the rear of the church) He refused. Seeing what was happening from the other side of the church I was able to direct the head of security ( A woman and former police officer) to that door, she told the individual he would have to leave, which he did but proceeded to go only to the outside parking area and stood there vaping furiously , texting on his phone. We did our lockdown procedure and called the police.

After 10-15 minutes the police showed up with 4 cars , they went to the OLD church address about 3 miles away until one of the officers who attends our church was able to radio the others and give them the right address. They arrived in force and were able to disarm him without any issue. When asked why he had the sword he stated ( He was black and somewhat hard to understand) "Jesus told us to sell our cloak and buy a sword , so I did" . After about 25 mins of cuffing and searching him and talking to him, they arrested him for menacing, simple assault, Disturbing the peace and other misdemeanors. So he got a ride to the local PD.

The point here is YOU NEVER KNOW what can happen. While we train together and go over different scenarios so almost everything went off without a hitch but can still be tweaked which we will do in the next week.

It made me think back to the Black woman who stated she wanted to make a black militia and rob white people along with other terror threats now as we get closer to the 911 anniversary.

If you dont have security in your church, you need to consider it. We are not in a major metro area, we are somewhat rural and some of the area is filled with resorts, not a high crime area to be sure but ANYTHING can and will happen so it is prudent to be ready and prepared.

The lesson is , always carry , understand the 21 foot rule and keep your head on a swivel at all times. The lead officer, a Sergeant, told us we did everything right and his feeling was this guy was there to kill someone, his eyes told the story.

Funny , after the incident , 2 different people came up and said now they understand why I and the others are always looking around at the parishioners , staring at waste level ( looking for gun bulges) looking at backpacks and constantly moving during service ( we have Childrens church and a nursery that we check in on 3 times during service and can be locked down if needed in a short few seconds.

But the final moral to the story is when seconds count the police are only minutes away ( In this case 15) Nobody is coming to save you...we are on our own. As good as the officers were, they cannot be everywhere, YOU are your best protection.

Hopefully someone will be helped by this.
Click to expand...
I printed a copy and will share it with my church's security committee.
 
We've also started a security team at our small community church over the last half a year. In fact all the churches in our mountain area have security teams. All are armed and usually teams are built around former military, active and retired LEO's, and professional security people. It's a damn shame that we even have to think about this for churches today. But it is what it is. :(
 
Central Arkansas here. Our former church has had security for several years. We actually had church members upset that anyone would carry at church. :rolleyes: They said God would protect us, and it wasn't walking in faith to have a gun in the sanctuary. What they didn't know was that some had been carrying for a long time, and just didn't announce it.

We just collectively shook our heads, and voted to institute a security team. There's a difference between faith and stupidity. In this day and age, churches need to be armed.
 
We had a couple of incidents at the church I used to attend. This was nearly 20 years ago. I firmly believe that God expects us to do our part in protecting the sheep (congregation). We had security measures including armed members.

For the last ten years my wife and I have participated in church via teleconference due to my wife's health issues. Security is pretty basic as we are at home.
 
Publius said:
Just tell all members to bring their gun with them next Sunday. At one time it was common practice in our country.
Click to expand...
Sounds like an accident waiting to happen. I only want the guns in church in the hands of TRAINED individuals who can hit what they are aiming at and also know when NOT to shoot.
 
My worry, as well. There are several folks who shouldn't be carrying, but I keep my mouth shut.

I generally avoid services these days, but I do a little volunteer work at both churches (mowing and food pantry). They know me by sight, at least, and that I'm no threat. I certainly wouldn't show up with a sword. That's crazy.
 
Thinking about security I was recalling a time when mom was home alone with two teenage dd and a toddler. There was a report of police searching for a rapist in the area and the locks on the doors were far from secure. So, mom set traps by the doors to let us know if anyone broke in. What she intended to do then is sketchy and I'd guess likely nothing as she was known to immediately panic but who knows!! Dad traveled and we lived in the country outside Ankeny (now part of the city). Anyway, one door got an ironing board with a tin of marbles on top. Don't recall what she did on the other door but something as ridiculous. Ironing boards are very tippy so anyone opening the door would have tipped it over and the tin of marbles would have made a horrendous crash. Marbles all over the floor would have slowed invader down but she was only thinking of the noise. Also, navigating a tipped over ironing board would require some fancy footwork. Calling for law enforcement would have been tricky as we were on a nine-party line with 18 teenagers, plus it would have been the county sheriff not a local officer. She was gun phobic so no defense there. Guy was caught the next day. Probably just as well he didn't break in as he'd been dealing with two crazy teenaged girls plus mom defending her baby (not the teenagers, just the baby). Actually, sis and I would also have been defending the baby!

I have deadbolts on solid doors but have no realistic expectation that would stop a determined person. My windows are sliders and I either have them closed and locked or open with rods in the tracks blocking sliding them open enough to get in. Law enforcement is generally 5 minutes away although ability questionable. I've been wanting to get a ball bat to discourage anyone trying to climb through a window as I'd rather deal with them that way than inside. All windows are too high to get in without climbing and have storm windows. Plus, I have an ironing board and a tin of marbles ... :lkick:
 
So this guy is wanting into a Christian Church carrying a Katana which is a Japanese sword that can cut a head off with a single stroke. Your security team did well to remove him from the entry ASAP. Well Done. Interesting to see if any background can be found about the individual. Does he come from a cult that follows the belief of beheading?
 
anna43 said:
Sounds like an accident waiting to happen. I only want the guns in church in the hands of TRAINED individuals who can hit what they are aiming at and also know when NOT to shoot.
Click to expand...

You do realize that most people who conceal carry are not PROPERLY trained, right. I was on submarines, so military service right. Does that make me trained. NO. Yes, we had small arms shooting in boot camp and then off the boat while we were transiting to our dive point. THAT was not training.

If you only want trained people in your church, hire LEO's or better yet a few Tier One guys. And some LEO's can be questionable. Trust me.
 

​

THE WATCHMAN ON THE WALL: A BIBLICAL CALL TO CHURCH SAFETY
By Tommy Sapp | Founder, Protect His House

Church safety is more than tactical training and emergency planning—it’s a spiritual assignment.

In Ezekiel 33:6, God lays out a warning and a calling that still echoes today:

“But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life… I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.”
Click to expand...
This isn’t just a verse—it’s a mandate.

What Does It Mean to Be a Watchman?​

In biblical times, a watchman stood high on the city wall, scanning the horizon for approaching danger. His role wasn’t glamorous—it was relentless. He stayed awake while others slept. He was often unseen, but always responsible.

Today, your church safety team fills the same role.

They scan the crowd, stand in the gaps, and remain alert—not because they expect trouble, but because they’re called to be ready.

Accountability and Awareness​

The warning in Ezekiel is sobering. If the watchman fails to sound the alarm, lives are lost—and the responsibility falls on him.

That doesn’t mean we walk in fear. It means we walk in spiritual and physical readiness.

As safety team members, we’re not just guarding buildings—we’re protecting God’s people. That’s why training, preparation, and clear procedures matter. It’s not about paranoia. It’s about stewardship.

Spiritual Discernment and Practical Action​

Effective church safety isn’t just situational awareness—it’s also spiritual discernment.

  • Can you sense when something’s off?
  • Are you prayed up before your shift?
  • Do you know what to do—and how to do it with grace?
Church security is unique. You might be the one who stops a threat—or the one who walks someone outside to calm them down with compassion.

We must operate with both tactical wisdom and Holy Spirit sensitivity.

Final Thought​

Being part of a church safety team isn’t just a volunteer role—it’s a calling. One that reflects the heart of a watchman who sounds the trumpet not out of fear, but out of love for the people inside those walls.

Let us train hard. Let us stay alert.
And above all, let us stand our post.

“But if the watchman sees the sword coming and blows the trumpet to warn the people…” — Ezekiel 33:6
Click to expand...
 
anna43 said:
Thinking about security I was recalling a time when mom was home alone with two teenage dd and a toddler. There was a report of police searching for a rapist in the area and the locks on the doors were far from secure. So, mom set traps by the doors to let us know if anyone broke in. What she intended to do then is sketchy and I'd guess likely nothing as she was known to immediately panic but who knows!! Dad traveled and we lived in the country outside Ankeny (now part of the city). Anyway, one door got an ironing board with a tin of marbles on top. Don't recall what she did on the other door but something as ridiculous. Ironing boards are very tippy so anyone opening the door would have tipped it over and the tin of marbles would have made a horrendous crash. Marbles all over the floor would have slowed invader down but she was only thinking of the noise. Also, navigating a tipped over ironing board would require some fancy footwork. Calling for law enforcement would have been tricky as we were on a nine-party line with 18 teenagers, plus it would have been the county sheriff not a local officer. She was gun phobic so no defense there. Guy was caught the next day. Probably just as well he didn't break in as he'd been dealing with two crazy teenaged girls plus mom defending her baby (not the teenagers, just the baby). Actually, sis and I would also have been defending the baby!

I have deadbolts on solid doors but have no realistic expectation that would stop a determined person. My windows are sliders and I either have them closed and locked or open with rods in the tracks blocking sliding them open enough to get in. Law enforcement is generally 5 minutes away although ability questionable. I've been wanting to get a ball bat to discourage anyone trying to climb through a window as I'd rather deal with them that way than inside. All windows are too high to get in without climbing and have storm windows. Plus, I have an ironing board and a tin of marbles ... :lkick:
Click to expand...

If someone actually breaks in while I'm home, Mr. Glock will be a part of the welcoming committee. I appreciate that Iowa's Castle Doctrine allows that.
 
anna43 said:
Sounds like an accident waiting to happen. I only want the guns in church in the hands of TRAINED individuals who can hit what they are aiming at and also know when NOT to shoot.
Click to expand...

I was thinking rifles and shotguns but handguns should be welcome. Any would be mad man that steps into the church thinking they are going to shoot up the church sees many aiming guns in his direction is going to back pedal out the door fast. ;)
 
Bubble Head said:
So this guy is wanting into a Christian Church carrying a Katana which is a Japanese sword that can cut a head off with a single stroke. Your security team did well to remove him from the entry ASAP. Well Done. Interesting to see if any background can be found about the individual. Does he come from a cult that follows the belief of beheading?
Click to expand...
I'm being pedantic here, but it was probably a cheap vape store "katana" that couldn't cut anything off with a single stroke. He could cause a lot of damage, then it would break. He could definitely stab at least one person though.
 
Bubble Head said:
So this guy is wanting into a Christian Church carrying a Katana which is a Japanese sword that can cut a head off with a single stroke. Your security team did well to remove him from the entry ASAP. Well Done. Interesting to see if any background can be found about the individual. Does he come from a cult that follows the belief of beheading?
Click to expand...
We found out he was staying somewhat close by at a motel. We , as well as some Detectives believe this was targeted.
 
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