I have been involved in church security for a while now and sometimes have received push-back from within the church on certain measures I thought were needed. Some would believe that if we just have faith we won’t befall any trouble! I disagree! Not that I don’t believe that God can and does protect us … more times than we will ever know this side of heaven, but I believe the following scriptures also shed light on the subject:
Matthew 10:17 NIV17Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues.
Nehemiah 4:14 NIV14After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”
1 Chronicles 9:21-2421Zechariah son of Meshelemiah was the gatekeeper at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 22Altogether, those chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds numbered 212. They were registered by genealogy in their villages. The gatekeepers had been assigned to their positions of trust by David and Samuel the seer. 23They and their descendants were in charge of guarding the gates of the house of the Lord—the house called the tent of meeting. 24The gatekeepers were on the four sides: east, west, north and south.
Luke 22:35-3735Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered. 36He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.37It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’22:37 Isaiah 53:12; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”
Nehemiah 4:9 NIV9But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Proverbs 15:22Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed
One if my email account tag lines says, “Treat everyone with dignity and respect! But … always have a plan to shoot them!” I am not suggesting this as part of a church security plan (and you should have a written plan), but you should always be prepared!
I pray none of us ever need it, but pray equally that should the need arise we would rely on the Holy Spirit’s leading and our preparation to Protect His house and His people!
Blessings!
Barnabas Man 