The Sunday service at your church in Austin is going as planned until a stranger walks in acting strangely. He is pacing near the back, muttering under his breath, and shifting from foot to foot. A few members of the church's security team take notice. They had been trained to watch for warning signs, and something about this man isn’t right.
One of them calmly approaches, asking if he needs help. He keeps a safe distance while the others on the security team quietly alert law enforcement. The police arrive within minutes and discover the man has a weapon. Thankfully, your church’s security plan worked, and a dangerous situation didn't turn into a tragedy. But what if?
We have had frightening incidents in Texas over the last few years. Congregation Beth Israel and Sutherland Springs both come to mind quickly. The safety of congregations should be at the forefront of your mind and why preparation for details matters more than ever. Having a plan for your house of worship, working with local law enforcement, and training your dedicated security team can make all the difference between a close call and a deadly force incident.
Whenever something dangerous happens in life, panic makes things worse. Churches, synagogues, and houses of worship are no different. People need to know what to do and where to go. A written plan gives church leaders, church staff, and volunteers in church security clear steps to follow so they aren’t making decisions in the heat of the moment of potential threats.
Proactive security measures for your church community should include ways to lock down different parts of the church, how to evacuate if needed, and how to use lines of communication during an emergency. Church staff and security personnel need to know their roles. Who calls law enforcement? Who moves children to safety? Who directs members away from danger?
We recommend that churches and religious communities work with experts in preparing these plans for potential security threats. These people will help you identify potential risks, plan for security challenges, prepare for security incidents, and create a sense of security so that members and visitors can focus on their worship and learning while they are on your campus.
But a plan for potential threats only works if people know how to use and execute it in the moment. Churches should go over it regularly and practice using regular drills so that it becomes second nature if a violent attack or active shooter appears. When the unexpected happens, hesitation can be dangerous. Preparation allows people to act with confidence instead of confusion. This was the key to the armed response during the White Settlement church incident.
The time to first meet the police is not during an emergency or mass shooting. Churches that connect with law enforcement ahead of time will get faster and better help when it’s needed. Officers can do security walkthroughs to spot weaknesses in the building, provide advice on effective security measures, and even help train church staff on how to handle different potential security threats.
Many churches go a step further and have an officer on-site during services and events to provide physical security and help create a safe space. A visible law enforcement presence discourages threats and reassures the congregation. Some churches hire off-duty officers, while others work with local police to set up regular patrols. The extra layer of security makes a big difference in both prevention and prompt response.
Church staff and volunteers are the first to notice when there is suspicious activity or something seems off. They need to be trained to recognize warning signs of potential risks, respond to disruptions, and know when to call for help. De-escalation training helps them calmly handle situations before they get worse.
Some churches choose to have armed volunteer security guards. While this may seem like a way to increase safety, it comes with potential risks. Some church insurance companies will not provide liability protection for churches that allow armed volunteers unless they are licensed and trained first responders. If a volunteer fires their weapon and injures someone, the church may be left covering legal fees and damages.
Texas law does offer protection for volunteers acting in good faith, but it does not prevent civil lawsuits. The law was established after the Sutherland Springs incident and has specific criteria for those volunteers. But it is important to remember that if an armed volunteer makes a mistake, the church could still be sued. Before forming a security team with armed members, churches should consult law enforcement, legal experts, and their insurance company to fully understand the risks of taking this action.
Fortunately, violent incidents at churches are rare, but they do happen. The churches that are prepared with a comprehensive security plan will always have the best chance of keeping their members safe. Having a plan, working with law enforcement, and training staff can prevent bad situations from turning into disasters.
True Texas Church Insurance, offered only by Insurance For Texans, helps churches navigate risks and protect their ministries. Our team has worked with hundreds of churches across Texas to understand potential risks, understand the financial consequences, and find coverage that meets their unique needs. The experienced church insurance agents that work with these churches have the goal of keeping them protected from simple things to the complexities of violent incidents that can occur where you are in Austin, Dallas, or somewhere in between.
Click the button below to connect with one of our church insurance specialists today. Let’s make sure your church is ready before an emergency ever happens.