Last month, I attended the Church Facilities Expo (CFX) in Chattanooga, Tennessee, making my annual pilgrimage from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to present at the security conference. Whenever I have the opportunity to stand before an audience eager to learn about church safety and security, I take that responsibility seriously.
This year, I co-presented a four-hour Masterclass with my friend and fellow Worship Facility editorial advisory board member, Eric Williams. Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Brown Missionary Baptist Church in Mississippi. Our Masterclass covered threat assessment, emergency management, and building a security culture. We welcomed attendees from over 20 states across the U.S. I had promised the event planner, Stephanie Lippi, that our Masterclass would be different from the typical presentations at conferences, and based on feedback, we hit the mark. Each session included table discussions, case studies, and even a bit of homework!
The Masterclass probably went on longer than we anticipated, but we began by asking each of the 50-plus attendees to introduce themselves, sharing where they were from, their roles, and the current state of their church’s safety and security programs.
As a security consultant who supports houses of worship and nonprofits across the country, I have a unique vantage point, allowing me to see church safety and security holistically and connect the dots at a national level. It was a privilege to listen to each person’s story and say, “Write this person’s name down you need to reach out to them.” This interaction allowed me to connect people directly, linking them with someone who could offer help or was on a similar journey to them in their state.
Which brings me to my point: the importance of community. I believe we were never meant to do life alone. We’re designed for connection, to be in community, to help one another, and to share knowledge.
As I listened to people share around the room, I realized that many lacked a true sense of community. I run a church safety and security Facebook group with over 1,200 members called Worship Facility Academy if you want to check it out, and it has become a valuable source of connection and support for many.
Why is Community So Important?
Building a security community is vital for church safety and security leaders. It provides a network of support, resources, and shared expertise. Here’s why a security community is invaluable in this context:
- Resource Sharing
Church security needs are unique and often require specialized resources that can be hard to find on your own. A security community lets leaders pool resources, share materials, and offer practical advice tailored to the challenges that churches face.
- Exchange of Knowledge and Best Practices
Many church security leaders are volunteers or staff members with limited formal security experience. A community allows them to learn from their peers, gain insights into best practices, and stay updated on new developments or technologies relevant to church security.
- Collaborative Problem-Solving
Churches often face similar security threats, like managing disruptive behavior, safeguarding against theft, and preparing for emergencies such as active shooter scenarios. A security community fosters collaboration, letting leaders share experiences and develop standardized approaches to common issues.
- Emotional and Spiritual Support
Church security leaders handle stressful situations, including threats to their congregation’s safety, which can be emotionally taxing. A security community offers a space for encouragement, helping to reinforce their commitment and prevent burnout.
- Training and Development Opportunities
A strong security community can offer or recommend training programs, workshops, and seminars, helping leaders enhance their skills and stay prepared for evolving threats. It also facilitates joint training sessions where multiple churches can learn and practice together, making training more effective and engaging.
For church safety and security leaders, community isn’t just about sharing techniques it’s about fostering a network of resilience and shared responsibility, which is essential for protecting congregations and fulfilling their roles effectively. Community provides guidance, reassurance, and connections with people who have walked the same path and understand your challenges.
Even as a national safety and security practitioner, I have my own community. I’m part of security Facebook groups, I have a network of leaders with far more wisdom than I do, and I have a trusted group of peers I can turn to with questions. It’s the only way to do life. Reflecting on the Church Facilities Expo, which I thoroughly enjoyed, I left with a renewed understanding of the importance of community in security.
After our first session on security culture, an attendee came up to me and said, “Simon, this is great, but it’s a little overwhelming.” My response was simple: “You were never meant to do this journey alone. Let’s find you a mentor, whether it’s me, someone in this room, or someone else. You don’t have to do this alone.”
By the end of the four-hour Masterclass, he came over and said, “Simon, I’ve been talking with people during the breaks, and I’ve found someone just like me. We’ve agreed to stay in touch and support each other.” That moment warmed my heart that was exactly why we had attendees introduce themselves at the start of the session, to help them find their community.
So, let me challenge you with a question. Do you have a community? If not, reach out to me I’d love to connect you with other church safety and security leaders just like you and in your local area.
Save the date for CFX Chattanooga, September 22-24 2025!
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 and nonprofits. 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
