How to Train a Church Security Team
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When I first joined the church security team at my church, it was small. Sometimes I was the only guard at a service with hundreds of congregants.
Feeling responsible for everyone’s safety felt heavy.
Most of my training was firearms related, and I did not have a concealed carry permit to carry while at church!
These years were great for my physical fitness; I lifted weights, worked out with a personal trainer, and took mixed martial arts classes regularly.
These years were also great for my spiritual growth. I became dependent on God. I believed, without a doubt, that He would come through!
After a few years, the Director informed me that he was moving away and asked me if I would assume his position.
I knew in my heart; I was called for such a time as this (Esther 4:14) and that this was part of God’s plan for my life.
I said “yes” and hit the ground running!
I tried to protect my teammates from issues that had bothered me. such as, not Having enough Church Security Training and sometimes not having any backup.
I immediately started going through my contacts from the target shooting range and gym to recruit teammates and instructors. By including teammates and instructors who normally do not attend church, we are reaching the lost!
We started having one Church Security Training per month, and I figured out The Best Way To Train A Church Security Team.
ThE BEST WAY TO TRAIN A CHURCH SECURITY TEAM IS TO Map out your training curriculum for the year. consider August and December attendance may be low because of vacations and holidays. If your Church Security Team will train ten times IN A year, then choose the ten topics that are most important for your teammates to know!
Church Security Training Examples:
Child Safety Training (an online training is included with all Background Check/ program bundles at Protect My Ministry). To learn more about Protect My Ministry, you can complete this short form!
Situational Awareness.
Threat De-escalation.
Use of Force.
TASER training, if your church security team is permitted to carry a TASER.
Firearms training, if you have armed guards.
Active Shooter training.
CPR, AED, and Basic First Aid.
Stop the Bleed
Other examples of church security trainings include self-defense classes, scenario-based trainings, role-specific trainings (e.g., executive or pastoral protection), and conducting drills.
Once you have chosen the topics for your curriculum, you can find instructors with that area of expertise (e.g., law enforcement or military). The instruction should align with what your teammates are authorized to do in their church security policy.
You’ll want to practice various scenarios, make sure specific roles (e.g., pastoral protection) are equipped to handle their duties effectively, and conduct drills. It’s also good to review training outcomes and solicit feedback from teammates to identify areas of improvement and make adjustments.
When others hear about the quality of your trainings, they’ll want to join your church security team!
By offering quality trainings, YOU’re equipping Your teammates, recruiting, AND EVEN reaching the lost!
One of the many reasons I love Church Security is we are TRAINED TO BE the first responders for every emergency.
Primarily, Police come to end the threat, the Fire Department comes to put out a fire, and EMTs come for medical emergencies… whereas church security is already on scene and expected to respond in every emergency (whether it’s a child choking, adult having chest pains, the fire alarm going off, or there is an active shooter, etc.).
In the however many minutes it takes for emergency responders to arrive in your area (let’s say eight minutes), that can be the difference between life and death. As we saw in the shooting at West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement, Texas, three people were killed in just six seconds!
These are more than “Church Security skills,” theY are “life SAVING skills,” and they benefit us (self-preservation), our families, OUR CHURCH, OUR co-workers, and the communitIES WE LIVE IN!
“God will give the victory, but the chosen must do their part (Judges 7:20).”
To do your part, create a training curriculum that aligns with your church security policy, utilize experienced instructors, perform scenario-based exercises, have role-specific training, conduct drills, and regularly review training outcomes and solicit feedback. By identifying areas for improvement, you can make necessary adjustments and find the best way to train your church security team.
What do you think is the best way to train a church security team? Comment below!
You may also be interested in reading the following blog posts:
Developing a Church Security Plan to Protect the Children’s Ministry
Why You Need Church Security Policy for Your Church Security Team
If you know any Pastors or church leaders that would find this information helpful, then please share this blog post with them!
About the Author: Lori Corini is an attorney admitted to practice law in the state of New York, an NRA Pistol Instructor and Range Safety Officer, a NYS licensed armed guard, and Director of Safety and Security and a Board Member at her Church.