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Shootings may have churches looking at security issues

The shootings at a church in Neosho, Mo., over the weekend may be a wake-up call to some congregations as they look at their own security.

Three leaders and five members of a Micronesian congregation were shot during worship on Sunday. Eiken Elam Saimon, 52, has been charged with the murders.

The congregation was taking steps to become a member of the United Church of Christ denomination.

The Rev. Peter Luckey, pastor at Lawrence's UCC affiliate, Plymouth Congregational Church, 925 Vt., says security in churches - especially during worship - is a difficult problem to deal with.

"There is no simple solution," Luckey says. "Every congregation walks a fine line between their desire to respond to Jesus' call of hospitality and openness to all, especially those who are poor and/or marginalized from society, and their deep concern for the safety and security of all worshippers."

He says Plymouth trains ushers about procedures for disturbances that might come up during worship. The church also is updating its electronic security system, including key cards for staff members and closed-circuit TV monitors.

Of course, there also is the non-worship side of security - thefts, arson and vandalism (which was an issue here in Lawrence earlier late last month).

Several consulting businesses - including Church Security Services and Fellowship Technologies offer their services to congregations. And the Florence-Dalington Technical College in South Carolina offers a training program for securing houses of worship.

Some typical suggestions for general church security include:

¢ Appointing a security team of church members.

¢ Having members keep their valuables with them.

¢ Entering and exiting the church in groups, especially at night.

Still, it's tough to plan for unpredictability some people might exhibit. Luckey says he's been in several worship services over the years when someone "seemed to be exhibiting a lack of impulse control. Fortunately, none of these situations became violent."

He notes that a church is an open, public place that is a "safe harbor" from the rest of the world. That's what makes the weekend's shootings that much more shocking, he says.

"There is no other reaction I have," Luckey says, "other than one of deepest sorrow that a setting a public worship and praise to a loving creator who is the giver of all life could be, in an instant, transformed into a place of hatred, violence and death."

_ - Faith Files, which examines issues of faith, spirituality, morals and ethics, is updated by features/faith reporter Terry Rombeck. Have an idea for the blog? Contact Terry at trombeck@ljworld.com, or 832-7145._

By Terry Rombeck

August 16, 2007

Faith Files

Discussion

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16 August 2007
at 3:16 p.m.

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kneejerkreaction (Anonymous) says…

Churches in Missouri don't allow concealed carry per Missouri state law. Guess the shooter didn't care about Missouri's laws, did he? But all the churchgoers who can legally carry weapons left theirs outside, I bet. What a stupid law, just like the one in Kansas.
16 August 2007
at 7:32 p.m.

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max1 (Anonymous) says…

“Churches in Missouri don't allow concealed carry per Missouri state law.” -kneejerk

http://www.showmeboone.com/sheriff/Co…
6. Are there places in Missouri I can't carry a concealed firearm after I get my permit?
# Any church or other place of religious worship without the consent of the minister or person or persons representing the religious organization that exercises control over the place of religious worship.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/8/…
Under the state's “conceal and carry” law enacted in 2003, Show Me State residents can bring firearms into places of worship (among other places), provided they get permission from their pastors.
Among Missouri's Catholic churches, at least, such permission is unlikely. In the wake of the passage of the conceal and carry law, the Missouri Catholic Conference prescribed guidelines for churches in the state. Among its recommendations that each church should distribute a written policy to all employees and parishioners, as well as post a sign of at least 11 inches by 14 inches announcing that all weapons are prohibited within.
16 August 2007
at 10:01 p.m.

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Lynn731 (Anonymous) says…

Absolutely correct kneejerk! Same situation with schools and universities. All the places it seems an armed law abiding citizen, or retired law officer, are needed, they are forbidden to carry. One reason I always said the list of prohibited places is way, way, too long. As for trained, retired law enforcement officers, the only places they should be prohibited from carrying is in jails, prisons, or places that serve alcohol if they are consuming alcohol. Thank You, Lynn
16 August 2007
at 10:03 p.m.

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Lynn731 (Anonymous) says…

I was speaking only of the KS law. I am not familiar with the MO law. Thank You, Lynn
17 August 2007
at 12:05 a.m.

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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…

Yeah, churches need more of that “covenant, sword and arm of the Lo-ord” thing for internal security.