Church Shootings & Heat-Carrying Deacons
With the recent spate of school, and now church shootings, one has to wonder about the appropriateness of more and more churches contemplating allowing their deacons to pack heat (carry a gun) while singing "Amazing Grace".
The Colorado shootings in December raise numerous questions about what constitutes allowable church security measures. Church is supposed to offer a place of quite, contemplative contact with God. The last thing a worshiper expects at church is to be molested, robbed or shot to death (at least in America). Can you imagine the day when we have to resort to everyone being required to go through metal detectors, full body searches or having your leather bible case scanned in that x-ray machine thing they use at the airport -- before the deacons will let you enter the church building?
Scary as it may seem, we may very well be headed in that direction. That is, if our parishioners are to be protected from the crazed scourge of gun toting hoodlums who are seeking to be famous for taking out tens and possibly hundreds of innocent people as part of their delusional death wish.
It is a serious matter, however one views the situation. If people start feeling that going to church is no longer a safe activity, we could very well be on the verge of a heightened popularity of televangelism and church attendance via the Internet through live streaming of church services, and decreased income from tithe and offerings. Worshipers need to be assured that their worship experience will not be interrupted by the gun fire of manic depressed devils or knife-wielding thugs.
The Church is definitely under satanic attack in America, and Pastors and other church leaders are faced with some very tough decisions about what to do to protect the people we urge to attend the house of the Lord. Sometime ago, while at church on Sabbath, one of my deacons came to me privately to let me know that he is a licensed firearm carrier (and it turns out he was carrying while he was telling me this), and that he would be willing to provide protection when money was being counted or transported to the bank (all I had to do was say the word). At the time, I was not impressed to follow-up with the discussion with him, as I did not want to encourage members in what could become vigilantism. Since the recent spate of senseless church shootings, however, I have been forced to question whether I have the right as a Pastor to simply not take necessary steps that may result in the loss of lives entrusted to my care while I preach. Therein lies the problem - is "necessity" the guiding principle (especially since we do not endorse the bearing of arms), or is there some other compelling factor to be considered here.
I don't know what you think about this issue, but it is certainly one that demands urgent dialog and a protocol for minimizing or preventing the possibility of this occurring in our congregations where we pastor. Should we employ armed security guards? Should we install metal detectors? Should we bond carefully screened deacons and apply for them to be issued licenses to carry? Should we employ off-duty police officers to assist with security? Should we pay the city to have the police patrol the premises during church services and functions?
Then comes the other side of the issue -- what happens when we arm the deacons and the deacons lose their cool with the Pastor in the board meeting? Can you see the headlines... "Shootout at the OK Corral New Life Worship Center"
What a calamity! Where do we go from here?
Also, what do we do about our church schools? I shudder to even think about that.
EA Ennis
The Colorado shootings in December raise numerous questions about what constitutes allowable church security measures. Church is supposed to offer a place of quite, contemplative contact with God. The last thing a worshiper expects at church is to be molested, robbed or shot to death (at least in America). Can you imagine the day when we have to resort to everyone being required to go through metal detectors, full body searches or having your leather bible case scanned in that x-ray machine thing they use at the airport -- before the deacons will let you enter the church building?
Scary as it may seem, we may very well be headed in that direction. That is, if our parishioners are to be protected from the crazed scourge of gun toting hoodlums who are seeking to be famous for taking out tens and possibly hundreds of innocent people as part of their delusional death wish.
It is a serious matter, however one views the situation. If people start feeling that going to church is no longer a safe activity, we could very well be on the verge of a heightened popularity of televangelism and church attendance via the Internet through live streaming of church services, and decreased income from tithe and offerings. Worshipers need to be assured that their worship experience will not be interrupted by the gun fire of manic depressed devils or knife-wielding thugs.
The Church is definitely under satanic attack in America, and Pastors and other church leaders are faced with some very tough decisions about what to do to protect the people we urge to attend the house of the Lord. Sometime ago, while at church on Sabbath, one of my deacons came to me privately to let me know that he is a licensed firearm carrier (and it turns out he was carrying while he was telling me this), and that he would be willing to provide protection when money was being counted or transported to the bank (all I had to do was say the word). At the time, I was not impressed to follow-up with the discussion with him, as I did not want to encourage members in what could become vigilantism. Since the recent spate of senseless church shootings, however, I have been forced to question whether I have the right as a Pastor to simply not take necessary steps that may result in the loss of lives entrusted to my care while I preach. Therein lies the problem - is "necessity" the guiding principle (especially since we do not endorse the bearing of arms), or is there some other compelling factor to be considered here.
I don't know what you think about this issue, but it is certainly one that demands urgent dialog and a protocol for minimizing or preventing the possibility of this occurring in our congregations where we pastor. Should we employ armed security guards? Should we install metal detectors? Should we bond carefully screened deacons and apply for them to be issued licenses to carry? Should we employ off-duty police officers to assist with security? Should we pay the city to have the police patrol the premises during church services and functions?
Then comes the other side of the issue -- what happens when we arm the deacons and the deacons lose their cool with the Pastor in the board meeting? Can you see the headlines... "Shootout at the OK Corral New Life Worship Center"
What a calamity! Where do we go from here?
Also, what do we do about our church schools? I shudder to even think about that.
EA Ennis
Ennis, you know I am usually soft-spoken but I saw this and could not resist commenting. I am not an advocate of violence but, I am advocate of safety. Luke 22:33-33 JESUS' BOYS WERE STRAPPED!! Peter said he would die if necessary. As a pastor I would hope my deacons were willing to protect me. Verse 36 "he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one." Is Jesus suggesting that they be armed? Verse 38 they responded, "here are two swords." I know, I know -- he who lives by the sword dies by the sword, right? Jesus only stopped the use of force when it was his time to go to the cross. I'm not saying we want all our deacons as armed security, but if you are pastoring in an environment where crime is prevalent, then you need to be prepared.
Nehemiah 4:13 had the men ready with swords, spears, and bows... for PROTECTION. Afterward he had one half of them doing the building while the other half kept watch.
I did my first year of chaplaincy with New Orleans Police Department. I kept watch without a weapon. I had one officer tell me, "I have a 45 in my gym bag, use it if you need it." I do not own a gun nor plan to, but if I stayed with NOPD, I would have definitely learned how to fire a weapon, just in case. I do not know if these comments are open to anyone. I am not a vigilante, I have faith, but I also believe the Lord wants us to be prepared if we can. I would not make it known that my deacons were carrying heat, but I would think about saving lives if necessary.
This is just a little thought on the subject. I am not sure I would advocate man's methods, but we must also think about the times in which we live. If we can change our methods of evangelism, we can also change our methods of retaining the folk we baptize. We are obligated to care for the flock as well.
I look forward to your response and any others who may have comments. Again I am no authority on the subject. But recent events do make me think about what I need to do in these dangerous times in which we live.
Reply to this