Children’s Ministry Security: 10 Questions Every Children’s Ministry Must Answer
“Parents want to know that their child will be safe in your ministry. If they feel like it is not a safe place, they will not return.” - Church Leaders
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We meet the standard indicated in 10 out of 10. (For #8, the uniformed, off-duty officer is in the Commons area, near the secured, lock-down entrance to the children’s wing.)
I’ll add a #11: we also have 64 HD security cameras inside & outside the building (including many within the children’s wing) that are recording 24/7, and are actively monitored from a central station during S.S. class times.
[Larry Nelson]We meet the standard indicated in 10 out of 10. (For #8, the uniformed, off-duty officer is in the Commons area, near the secured, lock-down entrance to the children’s wing.)
I’ll add a #11: we also have 64 HD security cameras inside & outside the building (including many within the children’s wing) that are recording 24/7, and are actively monitored from a central station during S.S. class times.
Ditto for our church. We don’t have a uniformed off-duty officer, but we do have a deacon security team (some w/ conceal carry permits) who have radios and patrol the grounds / building during Sunday services. We also have HD cameras in every room of the building and outside as well.
About a month ago on a Sunday morning, a stranger introduced himself to one of our greeters as “Jesus Christ” and asked if he could meet privately with our pastor. (No, he wasn’t permitted to…) On Sunday the 10th he showed up again, walked up to the uniformed off-duty officer in our Commons, and threatened to burn the church down. (I don’t know the final disposition, but he left the church in the back of a police squad.)
We have filed a trespass notice against him, so if he simply shows up on our property again he faces immediate arrest. Here’s what we know:
- He’s 35 years old
- He has a history of assault and domestic violence
- He’s been in treatment for addictions several times
- He’s been imprisoned at least twice
- He’s been involuntarily committed for mental illness at least 5 times
He’s a prime example of why churches are implementing ever-stricter security measures.
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