Church Safety & Security: Church Safety Team Daily Checklist

Your team needs to conduct certain tasks every day. This free Church security team checklist will get you headed in the right direction. Of course, this list needs to be modified to your team’s specific needs but this should get you started.

1. TEAM Prayer (this happens at least one hour before anyone else gets to the church)

2. Roll call

3. Intel updates (anything that could be a potential threat such as a marital dispute, change in service, etc.)

4. Team assignments (positioning)

5. Changes in team schedule for the day

6. Weapons and light check

7. Radio sync and check

8. Sweep sanctuary for IEDs and anything out of the ordinary  

9. Children’s area sweep and lock down codes in place:  Look for obstructions for room entry.

10. Parking Lot Patrol rotation

11. Lock up conducted

Be Safe!

Russ Sharrock


I have made available to anyone interested a FREE series of Do-it-Yourself forms that can be printed for your use:

1) A Safety & Security Risk Assessment form.

2) Church Emergency Plan Template

3) General Fire Safety Checklist

4) A Bomb Threat Checklist

5) A Bomb Threat Distance chart for various types of explosive devises to be referred to in the event of a bomb threat evacuation.  These are minimum distances to evacuate away from the area of blast.

They’re Word documents so you can make any changes necessary to fit your church size and needs.  I will be adding new forms as time allows. 

For a copy of any of the Do-it-Yourself forms, or if you have any questions, you can contact me at: integritysecconslt@mail.com

Church Safety & Security – A Biblical Perspective

In an increasingly unsafe world, people are seeking safety and security.  Armies face each other across vast deserts, nations arm themselves with nuclear weapons, and radical ideologies endanger millions.  Closer to home, we face threats to our safety and that of our families every day.  The Bible has much to say about safety, both physical and spiritual.

Leviticus 25:18–19; 26:3–5; Deuteronomy 12:10)  When God’s people turned away from Him and followed other gods, their safety was threatened, and the result was disaster.  The ups and downs recorded in the book of Judges clearly link ancient Israel’s national safety to their obedience to God’s Word.

In the Old Testament, God promised the Israelites that they would dwell in the land in safety if they obeyed His commandments. (See

The Hebrew word translated “beh'takh” or safety in the Old Testament means “a place of refuge; security, confidence, hope.”  Proverbs 18:10 describes the name of the Lord as a strong tower into which the righteous run and find safety.  Safety also involves trusting in the Lord.  According to Proverbs 29:25, “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.”

Let’s look now at the story of the watchman in Ezekiel 33:1-9.  “The word of the Lord came to me: Son of man, speak to your people and say to them: ‘When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman, and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head. Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves. But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.’ “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved. “

Israel has always had many enemies and historically the city of Jerusalem, and many other great cities in those days, had thick high walls around the entire city for protection.  For example, we read in scripture about the walls surrounding Babylon and the great walls of Jericho.  The watchmen were guards who would stand upon the walls of Jerusalem and in the towers and lookout upon the land.

The Hebrew word for watchman is tsaphah and it has the meaning: to lean forward, to peer into the distance; by implication means to observe, behold, spy out...  So they would be in their towers and on the walls and would literally be peering forward, looking out into the distance, on the watch for messengers, unusual activity, or most importantly, any sign of an enemy or approaching army.  A very, very important job!  With that in mind, why then, would God not make us a watchman for His people today?  By having a church security team in place, you are giving warning that you are prepared to take action if, or when necessary.  If you took this scripture alone as the foundation for having a church security team it is more than enough.

Now, let’s take a look at what Jesus said to the disciples in Luke 22:36; He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you do not have sword, sell your cloak and buy one.”

The disciples were Jesus’ closest friends here on earth.  Before we go on, it is important to understand that a sword was the firearm of the day.  And so Jesus told His disciples to make sure they had protection for themselves.  Why in the world would Jesus tell them to do that?  Because Jesus knew that the world they were going to go and preach the Gospel, was not a safe place.

Psalm 94:16 asks the question, “Who rises up for me against the wicked? Who stands up for me against evildoers?

Any man that does not provide protection for his own family, is not a man.  Protecting yourself is an individual responsibility.  But protecting one’s family is a man’s responsibility given to him by God.  You will meet resistance at all levels in the church when it comes to church security.  The main reason for the resistance, is due to pure ignorance in what God’s word actually says.  Yes, even by pastors, elders, or other leaders of the church.  Just because people do not see the need, does not negate the need.  Simply because your pastor or elders and deacons do not acknowledge the need for church security, does not mean that God has relieved your church of that responsibility!

People tend to say things like, “God will protect us.”  While we believe that God can and may do that, it may come in the form of being ready to protect yourselves.  Again, David did not slay Goliath with just prayer and faith.  David picked up a rock and took action.  Did God help David’s aim?  That is very likely true.  But the point is that David did not just sit down to pray and wait on God to strike down Goliath.  Instead, David prayed for God’s strength and deliverance as he ran on to the battlefield and met Goliath head on; trusting God to help him defeat this giant of a man. (See 1 Samuel 17:32-51)

Too many times we sit and wait when we should be taking action.  God will guide our paths, but we have to do the walking.  He does not make us take each step.  Rather, that is up to us to do that.  Why then, is protecting the church any different?  James 2:17 says that, “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”  In Joshua 7:12-17 we find that when it was time to cross the Jordan to enter the land of Canaan, which God had promised the Israelites, nothing happened until the Priest’s feet touched the water’s edge in faith, then the river was divided and they were able to cross on dry land.

You can have all the faith in the world, but if you do not take action on that faith, then you really do not have faith.  With that in mind, if you have faith and you do not have a professionally trained church security team in place to protect your flock, then you are a hypocrite.  You see, we cannot pick and choose what parts of the Bible we want to live by.

One of the main issues with Christianity today is that we have made it American.  God is not American. He is not confined by the way we think.  God operates on His standards, not ours.  If you look throughout the Old Testament, there is plenty of bloodshed.  That bloodshed, for the most part, was done by the hands of humans.  That means men, obedient men, had to take responsibility and action.  God did not “just” kill the enemy.  

Most people will agree that having law enforcement and military is a real need.  How is it that you think that those are necessary, but you don’t believe for a second that church security is necessary? People these days, are all about putting the responsibility of their own protection on someone else. And, most of the time, that someone else is God.  This way of thinking is a poor one to have as a Christian.  Why do you have a job if God is just going to provide?  The reality of it is, that God expects us to do our part.  And in the case of having a church security team in place, that is our job to implement.

The New Testament does not ignore physical safety.  Jesus spoke of carrying a sword for protection (See Luke 22:36), and Paul was kept safe from those who would harm him physically on several occasions. (See Acts 9:25; 17:10; 19:30; 23:10)  However, the New Testament focuses more on spiritual safety, i.e., salvation.  Jesus and the New Testament writers had a great deal to say about being saved.  Spiritual safety is found in only one place—faith in the shed blood of Christ in payment for our sin and in His resurrection. (See John 3:17; Acts 2:21; 4:12; Romans 10:9; Ephesians 2:8)

Jesus came into the world to provide spiritual safety and eternal security to all who would believe in Him.  The need for physical safety pales in comparison to the universal need for spiritual safety.  One may be in great danger in this world of physical harm and still have the assurance of an eternity of security in heaven.  We fear not those who can only harm the body yet never touch the soul (see Matthew 10:28).

Unfortunately, many are deceived into thinking that true security is provided by the things of the world—money, comforts, position, or power.  But the safety these things provide is temporary and fleeting.  Riches “…will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky...” (Proverbs 23:5)  Nothing is sure in this world.  “The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.” (Ecclesiastes 9:11)  No worldly foundation can provide spiritual security in heaven.  

Paul spoke of a time to come when the Lord will return to earth. At that time, those who trust in anything other than Christ will find they have no peace or safety, “For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.” (1 Thessalonians 5:2–3)

Where does that leave us?  At the end of the day, we have to trust the Lord and live in faith, not fear.  We live in a world groaning and broken under the weight of sin where evil knows where to find and harm the good.  Yet despite this, scripture consistently calls us to not be afraid.  We must remember that God is sovereign, all powerful, and loves us. (See Isaiah 41:10)

We must be wise and decisive and, in all our actions, we must reject fear.  Our fear says that we control all things, whereas God’s Word reminds us that he is sovereign.  So as we begin to think through how to keep our people safe, we should begin with the reminder that our hope is secure in God. (See Hebrews 13:6)


Be Safe!

Russ Sharrock


I have made available to anyone interested a FREE series of Do-it-Yourself forms that can be printed for your use:

1) A Safety & Security Risk Assessment form.

2) Church Emergency Plan Template

3) General Fire Safety Checklist

4) A Bomb Threat Checklist

5) A Bomb Threat Distance chart for various types of explosive devises to be referred to in the event of a bomb threat evacuation.  These are minimum distances to evacuate away from the area of blast.

They’re Word documents so you can make any changes necessary to fit your church size and needs.  I will be adding new forms as time allows. 

For a copy of any of the Do-it-Yourself forms, or if you have any questions, you can contact me at: integritysecconslt@mail.com

Church Safety & Security: Training Your Church Security Team

Continuing our discussion on the subject of church security I want to talk about training. 

Luke 6:47-48 tells us, “I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.” 

Training is as important as a strong foundation.  I’m sure you have heard the saying, “We prepare for the worst and pray for the best.”  We train in the hope we will never need to use the training, but we still train.  My suggestion is that you train multiple times during the year.  Train annually, quarterly, monthly and even an occasional impromptu training time.

Let’s look at a few training topics and a short description of each.

Mass Shooter Training

This training would include and utilize the basic skills needed to stop a deadly threat on your campus.  Each team member who will be carrying concealed would be required to attend at least three times a year.  Team members will learn to engage and stop the threat as quickly as possible. 

It’s important to use as realistic physical scenarios as possible to give each team member a better grasp of what can actually happen during an active shooter event.  The goal of this training is to equip the team with the skills needed to end the threat in the safest and most expeditious manner possible, which, in turn, will minimize the casualty rate during the incident.  

Live fire drills should include proper movement while holding their weapon at the ready position, shooting while moving, shooting from behind barricades, and team movement drills while shooting.  You will also want to confirm that the team member knows how to keep their weapon clean and maintained properly.  Team members must know how to utilize cover and concealment, and know the difference between the two.  And finally, do they have the confidence to engage the active shooter should the worst-case scenario occur in your church.   

I would also strongly suggest that the team qualify with their handguns at least twice a year.  If there is a local in door range available, the church should pay for the range time to encourage the team members to practice and qualify.  They should qualify at a range of 21 feet, firing 5 rounds, and get all rounds on target.  The team members would then bring in their targets to the team leader.  This is what I would consider bare minimum.    

Detain and Control Handcuffing Techniques

These techniques will train the team members the proper way to detain and control a subject who is uncooperative or combative.  The team will learn how to approach, detain, control, and subsequently handcuff a subject while keeping themselves as safe as possible. 

Control holds are taught to gain control of a subject who is a potential danger to the team and/or guests.  The control holds consist of wrist locks and arm locks that limit an uncooperative subject’s movement.  Handcuffing techniques are designed to assist team members in safely and effectively handcuff and control a subject.

Building and Room Searches

Team members are taught that the safest way to enter and search a room or building is using two or three-person teams.  Training should cover both occupied and unoccupied buildings.  The goal is to give team members a variety of techniques to use while working at the church. 

Child Custody and Civil Disputes

If possible, bring in an attorney with experience in child custody and civil dispute laws.  Team members should be taught the proper way to handle issues of separated parents trying to pick up their children from church.  Especially when they were not the parent that dropped the children off at church. 

If the parent does not have the pickup/drop off ticket, then they do not have the authority to pick up the child/children.  If there is no court order stating parental rights, then the local police may have to be called to assist.  Team members should never get in the middle of child custody disputes or civil disputes.  They can only stand by to maintain the peace.

Flashlight Usage and Tactics

This training will teach the proper use and maintenance of flashlights.  A working flashlight is an important tool to have at all times.  It’s important to understand how to use it to conduct searches and low-light contacts of individuals that require your attention. 

Interviewing Techniques

This training teaches team members the proper way to conduct interviews of individuals regarding incidents on the church property.  They will be taught to ask appropriate questions pertaining only to the incident being dealt with.  Information such as name, address, birthdate, and other information in case the incident turns into a crime report.

Observational Skills Training

Head on a swivel—this training will teach them to always be aware of their surroundings.  Whether they are checking hallways, transporting money to be counted, or patrolling parking areas, they must know how to address people who stop them to talk or ask questions.  They need to let these people know that the team member has a job to perform and will be right back to give them assistance.  They will also be taught to read body language.  Also, as they are patrolling the property to be aware of safety issues such as broken pavement tripping hazards and blocked fire lanes. 

Proper Radio Etiquette

This training encompasses the proper usage and terminology for your radios.  They will learn to only say what is needed and not block the frequency when needed for an emergency.  Proper radio code usage should be taught so the church radio traffic is not broadcast to the community around them. 

 Report Writing

All team members should be taught the proper way to write incident reports and gather all pertinent information.  They need to understand that their reports may end up being used in court if the incident ever leads to a charge, so you want to reflect professionalism.

Good report writing requires attention to detail, an understanding of the reasons why a report is required, and whom the audience of the report will be.  It will be planned out in advance, will be factually correct and describe accurately the order of events that took place in clear and concise language.

Be Safe!

Russ Sharrock


I have made available to anyone interested a FREE series of Do-it-Yourself forms that can be printed for your use:

1) A Safety & Security Risk Assessment form.

2) Church Emergency Plan Template

3) General Fire Safety Checklist

4) A Bomb Threat Checklist

5) A Bomb Threat Distance chart for various types of explosive devises to be referred to in the event of a bomb threat evacuation.  These are minimum distances to evacuate away from the area of blast.

They’re Word documents so you can make any changes necessary to fit your church size and needs.  I will be adding new forms as time allows. 

For a copy of any of the Do-it-Yourself forms, or if you have any questions, you can contact me at: integritysecconslt@mail.com