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Show Notes
In this new series, Pastor John talks with pastor, federal agent and church security expert Jason White about making our churches safer. The discussion centers around Jason's excellent book, Church Security and Outreach: A Spirit-led Strategy to Pursue the One and Protect the Ninety-nine.
In this week's episode, Pastor John introduces Jason and then they talk about Spirit-led security strategy ADAM. The ADAM acronym is basic to any church's security strategy:
A - Action - whether its the planning or the actual implementation of your security strategy, action is required. Many congregations do not have a strategy in place, so when an emergency occurs they have to rely solely on their community's first responders for oversight and help. Even a simple action plan can save precious minutes while you wait for first responders -- and that often means saving lives.
D - Deterrence - there are steps a church can take to deter crime and violence, as well as accidents and injury. These are also part of a good church security strategy.
A - Avoidance - when deterrence is no longer possible (i.e., an emergency has occurred), well thought out plans of avoidance are critical to protecting the flock. How do you get people away from the danger zone? How do you minimize the impact of violence? Its important to answer these questions before you need that answer.
M - Mitigation - some accidents and incidents may not be avoidable, what then? Do you have people trained to provide critical first aid? Do you have people who are trained and certified to address the threat while waiting for police?
Even a very basic security plan is better than no plan at all. But using the principles in Jason's book (see below), a more formal Spirit-led security strategy can be put in place that protects your people and property without disrupting the loving environment of your church.
Resources
Websites:
www.spiritledsecurity.com - Jason's website based upon his book and Church Security Conference. If you have the opportunity to attend one of his conferences, you will gain important insights into how you can make your church and ministry safer.
www.panoplia.org - A website created close friends of Jason who he works with to provide faith-based security for missionaries. Jason and these friends from the military and law enforcement work with ministries and those serving in more dangerous parts of the world to keep their personnel safe and their locations secure.
www.ready.gov/active-shooter - An informative website offered by the US Department of Homeland Security on preparedness for an active shooter situation.
www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&time_continue=64&v=DFQ-oxhdFjE&feature=emb_logo - An Active Shooter Video from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office
Contact:
If you would like to contact Jason White directly to discuss Church Security or to receive any of the free materials he is offering in this series, please use this email address: SLS199@outlook.com
Book:
Church Security and Outreach: A Spirit Led Strategy to Pursue the One and Protect the Ninety Nine by Jason White (Xulon Press, 2019)
*I cannot recommend this book more highly. Neither I nor The Minister's Friend receive a benefit from promoting this or other resources on our program. But I am convinced that, because of the day in which we now live and minister, churches need to be prepared like never before. This would also include legal protections. Please also see our special series from earlier in the year, Your Church and the Law for more information on how you can protect your church and ministry.
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