In the wake of yet another church shooting…how can church leaders best protect their congregations?
Andrew Mills writing in CT Pastors admits no precaution is guaranteed to prevent tragedy, and he has experience in both the pulpit and on the police force. But he recommends several steps that can reduce the risk—and possibly save lives—at your church.
Step 1: Work with local police
Learn their plans and capabilities. Most police agencies have adopted an “active shooter” philosophy. This involves forming up quickly, moving in, and removing a threat with lethal force, all before an organized evacuation, or the arrival of a SWAT team or negotiators.
Designate one of your church leaders to meet with the police and review their strategy for responding to a shooting in your building.
And Educate your congregation on your church’s policies for responding to an emergency, perhaps through a brochure or a segment of your new member’s class.
Step 2: Create a survey of your facility for police
Include in your overview:
- Blueprints and photos of every room in the church, which police at a command center can use to guide officers as they secure the church building
- Emergency contact information for the church pastor, property manager, medical personnel, and members of the church’s crisis-response team
- Keys to outside and classroom doors
- Shut off points for gas, water, and electricity
- Designated rally points for families and medical triage
- Any knowledge of existing threats, including anyone against whom the church or a member has a restraining order
And finally: Step 3. Create a lockdown policy
Determine which church leaders can order a lockdown and under what circumstances and
Identify who can enter protected areas (such as the nursery), and how or if parents can retrieve children during a lockdown.