As a father and a Christian, I’ve often thought it would be invaluable for senior leaders at my church to preach about social media safety to teenagers or situational awareness to kids heading off to college. However, like many of you, I’ve never heard these important teachings from the pulpit, despite numerous scriptural references that could support such sermons. This silence raises an important question: Why do leaders avoid discussing church safety and security from the pulpit?
One Common Problem: Denial of Danger
In 2023, driven by curiosity about the intersection of spirituality and security, I authored a book titled “How to Talk with Your Leader About Church Security.” The book aimed to uncover why and how we should broach the subject of security with our religious leaders. Through interviews with over 150 faith leaders from 11 recognized faith communities, a common theme emerged: denial of danger.
Frank Pomeroy, former pastor of First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, where a tragic shooting in 2017 claimed 26 lives, including his 14-year-old daughter Annabelle, underscored this denial when I interviewed him. Frank stated, “We must get out of denial and complacency and own the fact that in the twenty-first century, there are people out there who do not care that this is holy ground.” His poignant words highlight a critical need for addressing safety and security head-on.
The Underlying Reasons for Denial
Talking with Sherri Pomeroy, Frank’s wife, provided deeper insight into this denial. She explained two prevalent mindsets for spiritual leaders: fear-based and faith-based. Some leaders fear that acknowledging danger is a reminder of a broken world, while others believe that divine protection precludes the need for proactive security measures. Yet, the Bible itself discusses themes of violence, death, and protection, suggesting a scriptural basis for addressing safety concerns.
Overcoming Objections: Strategies to Encourage Safety Sermons
How can we overcome these objections and encourage our leaders to preach about safety and security? Here are four strategies from my book that might help facilitate this crucial conversation:
1. Start with Your Why
Before delving into biblical beliefs on safety and security, clearly explain why you care about this issue. Reflect on your motivations and share them with your leader. Personal connections help leaders understand your concerns and the importance of security in God’s church.
2. Build Relationship Equity
Many religious leaders feel disconnected from security leaders who approach them with criticisms or directives without establishing trust. Building relationship equity involves spending time with your leader, understanding their perspectives, and fostering collaboration. It’s about showing that your concern for security stems from a desire to protect HIS house.
3. Focus on What Is Most Likely
Statistics show that while mass shootings in churches are rare, more common issues like medical emergencies, lost children, severe weather and mental incidents are more frequent. Discussing these most likely scenarios helps leaders see the practical aspects of security and the importance of being prepared for everyday occurrences.
4. Take the Religious Leader on the Journey
Engage your leader in the process of building security measures, from response procedures to life safety training. By involving them in each step, you create a sense of ownership and understanding. When leaders see the comprehensive approach, they are more likely to support defensive measures, including armed security if necessary.
A Call to Action
If you’ve never heard your spiritual leader discuss safety and security from the pulpit, it’s time to ask why? Use these strategies to address any denial, whether fear-based or faith-based, and draw your leaders closer to the conversation. By doing so, we can foster a culture of safety and security within our faith communities.
Simon Osamoh serves as the editor of Security Connections and is nationally recognized for his work in safeguarding houses of worship. He began his career in England, spending 14 years as a detective specializing in serious and organized crime before leading Counter Terrorism at the Mall of America in Minnesota. Simon founded Kingswood Security Consulting and the Worship Security Academy, providing security solutions to houses of worship. He is the author of two Amazon bestselling books and the host of the Church Security Accelerator podcast. For submissions or topic ideas, reach out to Simon at sosamoh@worshipfacility.com
