You know how we all have that one friend who’s always ready for anything? The one with an umbrella when the rain begins to fall, or a spare charger when your phone is ready to die? Well, being prepared for all kinds of potential trouble at church is kind of like being that friend, but on a bigger scale. And having a reputation for being the church that has figured out how to handle tough situations well can spur growth. If we are doing a great job protecting people’ physical, emotional, and spiritual safety, people will be flocking to us (pun very much intended).
Just like a recipe provides step-by-step instructions to achieve a baking masterpiece, written policies and procedures offer a clear roadmap for your church’s security operations. They guide decision-making, and help everyone be on the same page, which is vital for smooth and successful crisis management. Policies and procedures aren’t bureaucratic red tape, but rather your secret family recipe for these five outcomes:
- Enhanced Safety and Security: The primary and most compelling reason for developing policy and procedure documents for church security is to ensure the safety and security of all congregants, staff, and visitors. These documents outline specific protocols for a variety of situations (e.g., medical emergencies, natural disasters, active shooter incidents, suspicions or outcries of abuse, etc.), ensuring that everyone knows how to respond quickly and efficiently to minimize harm.
- Clear Communication: Policy and procedure documents serve as an official source of information, reducing confusion about the roles and responsibilities of everyone involved in church operations. They ensure that security procedures are communicated clearly and understood by all, which is crucial for effective implementation and compliance.
- Consistent Training and Preparedness: With clear procedures in place, training for staff and volunteers can be standardized, ensuring that everyone is equally prepared to handle security situations. These documents ensure that training is consistent, comprehensive, and can be easily updated as new threats emerge or when changes in the church facility or staff occur.
- Legal and Insurance Considerations: Having formalized security policies and procedures can protect the church in the event of legal action following an incident. They demonstrate due diligence and a commitment to safety, which can be crucial in mitigating liability. Additionally, some insurance companies may offer better terms or lower premiums to organizations that can demonstrate proactive risk management practices.
- Community Trust and Confidence: A church that takes the time to develop and implement detailed security policies and procedures shows its congregation and the wider community that it values their safety and well-being. This transparency and commitment can boost trust and confidence in the church’s leadership, encouraging more people to participate in its activities without fear for their personal safety.
Not sure what your policies and procedures should address? We could easily feel overwhelmed and just throw up our hands, pray, and hope for the best. We definitely need to pray, but the overwhelm can be mastered if we gather a team to create a recipe that is just right for your church. Then during a crisis (and there will always be some crisis) your security leaders, your volunteers and your church will not only survive but thrive.
Think of it as assembling your very own group of safety shepherds, saving your congregation from potential dangers. This is not simply having an extra elder, deacon, or board meeting. You need men and women of all ages, education levels, and backgrounds. You need mature and new believers. Each will see different areas of need, and each will have different strengths in addressing those needs. It is important to consider the perspectives of more than just staff and governing boards. You need to talk to the people in the trenches. You may be very surprised at how different their perspectives are from yours. Here are some key members to consider:
- Your Pastor: Pastors have a deep understanding of their church’s mission and values, and they also have a unique perspective on the spiritual and emotional needs of their congregation.
- Your Security Expert: To ensure your policies are comprehensive and effective, you’ll need someone with a solid background in security. This individual should have knowledge of standard safety protocols, emergency response strategies, and risk assessment techniques. If you don’t have someone like that in your congregation, ask a local law enforcement officer if they will give you some advice.
- Your Legal Guru: Churches operate within legal boundaries, and having a legal guru on your team can save you from potential headaches. Whether it’s understanding local regulations, liability issues, or legal jargon, this person will ensure your policies are legally sound,
- Your Healthcare Professional: This individual could be a nurse, doctor, or anyone who can provide sound advice on medical emergencies, first -aid procedures, and health-related considerations. They can advise you on assembling a volunteer medical team to address any emergencies that arise during services.
- Your Tech Expert: In the digital age, technology issues cannot be ignored. Enter the techno-wizard an individual well-versed in security systems, surveillance equipment, and other cutting-edge technological solutions. They should also advise you on a policy for the use of the internet as well as staff and volunteers using social media on behalf of the church.
- Your Spokesperson: This person will play a vital role in ensuring policies are clearly articulated to your leadership when it’s time to get buy-in from leadership. They can also help with “marketing” the final decisions to volunteers and the congregation. Communicating changes in a positive way can make transitions go more smoothly.
- Your Youth Volunteer: Let’s face it, often people in leadership no longer have young children. That means they often have little idea of what goes on in the children and youth areas of your church. They might not know that physical, emotional, and spiritual safety issues even exist there.! Be sure you have someone from the trenches giving input.
- Your Building Maintenance Expert: This is the person who can tell you if the windows in the children’s area are made from tempered glass. They will know whether all of your doors lock automatically from the inside when closed. They can help choose the right security system when you are ready for one.
You don’t need to limit yourselves to these roles. Depending on your church’s unique needs, feel free to add more members with diverse backgrounds and specialized skills.
Embrace the unique gifts within your congregation! By creating written policies and procedures to guide your security team, you’re not just preparing for potential crises; you’re fostering an environment of care, trust, and preparedness. This proactive approach not only safeguards your congregation’s physical, emotional, and spiritual safety but also strengthens the community’s faith in your church’s leadership. Gather your team, and start crafting your church’s secret family recipe for safety and security today.
Lori Morrison is a member of her church’s security team, a licensed private investigator, a former church staffer, and serves on the Worship Facility Editorial Advisory Board. Her training guide, “Reclaiming Sanctuary: Enhancing Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual
Safety in Our Churches” helps church leaders adopt a new mindset, build a customized strategy, and launch a sustainable plan for the protection of their flock. Get your copy here!