In times of global tension, it is wise for churches—especially smaller Sabbath-keeping fellowships—to review basic safety practices without fear or alarm. Prayer is essential, but it is not enough to simply pray and take no practical action. Scripture calls us to be both trusting and prudent: “Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16), and “The prudent sees danger and hides himself” (Proverbs 22:3). It is true that most incidents involving churches are not tied to international events but to local, personal, or mental health situations. Even so, moments of heightened global tension should prompt us to examine our preparedness and strengthen simple safeguards. Nehemiah prayed, had faith, and yet still set a watch (Nehemiah 4:9). Church of God congregations should follow this stellar example by combining prayer with practical vigilance.
Many Churches of God are small, relational, and welcoming—strengths that should be preserved. Unfortunately, safety is often not considered a priority. There are, however, simple, low-cost measures that can make a meaningful difference: keeping doors locked once services begin, designating one main entrance, posting a greeter or two at the door at all times, and avoiding propped-open side doors. Leaders should ensure someone is always ready to contact emergency services if needed. Children’s areas should follow basic check-in and two-adult guidelines. These steps do not create a fortress mentality; they simply reduce vulnerability while maintaining a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Did Dave Pack write this article? Locking brethren in once services begin is very, very culty, and I can assure you that any group that did this would be raked over the coals on this blog.
ReplyDeleteI think they mean locking outsiders from coming in once services have started, not the reverse.
DeleteMy local UCG Congregation after the COGWA/UCG split started this for awhile. The Super deacon insisted upon it for safety reasons. But within weeks he was locking the doors earlier and earlier and having brethren locked out in the carpark outside. It was awful. It’s actually against fire safety laws to lock people inside a building.
DeleteMany of the COG groups hire meeting places and it may not be possible to lock people inside easily for various reasons.
Yeah, I don't like the idea of locking people in; in fact, it is against the law in this area. Safety regulations require that anyone can exit at anytime. You can't even keep peopel inside during an emergency. Wise planning, though, would have procedures in place and would guide people to remain calm. We have security monitoring outside, along with greeters who keep an eye on everything.
ReplyDeleteThe world is filled with nutjobs anymore, and COG groups are no different, inf act they may be at a greater risk when they have some disgruntled member who has been hurt by the leader cause serious damage, much like Terry Ratzman.
Hypothetically, if some neighborhood "patriot" reported that people with brown skin were walking into a Masonic lodge on a Saturday morning, you could have a situation in which ICE agents were disrupting your sabbath services. So, yeah, these are fearsome times in which we live, because things that you simply can't defend yourself against are happening all around us.
ReplyDeleteShortly after Waco, I had an "Is Your Church B.A.T.F. Approved" bumper sticker on the back of my Mustang.
Yes it's one thing to enjoy serving rich banter for comedic sake toward promoting anti-COG. But it's another thing to make an unsubstantiated, mis-information blanket statement claiming all COGs lock the flock inside during services.
ReplyDeleteAny locking is meant to keep out the modern public element bent on ill will.
Ahhh, been there, done that back in the late 60’s through the 70’s. Would have 2 men at the only door making sure you had the proper “credentials “ for entrance. I remember people receiving the PT magazine who wanted to visit had to go through the 3rd degree to even attend just one time. Little did they know that the enemy was within.
ReplyDeleteThe UCG congregation I attended in the South started a safety plan after the Terry Ratzmann shootings.
ReplyDeleteThe Pastor even came out from the behind the pulpit during "announcements" to show members how to use their chairs to protect themselves.
As for locking doors... that probably varies from location to location. Check your fire marshal about that.
Why not use tithe monies for kevlar vests. And keep the home wifi from serving the church teens access to violent video games.
ReplyDeleteYet at Tabernacles and WFW many a site is inside typical hotel complex's which allow general Joe public to wander in. No locking of doors then.
ReplyDeleteAristophanes was a "comical" Athenian of 386 B.C. But any of you all, in or out of COG, either conduct or attend public meetings or appointments which adhere to these same common standard safety & security practices shown in the post here, nowadays.
ReplyDeleteAny of you visit a doctor? Then note the doors securely locked or at least staffed when you visit there or at a hospital emergency room...security everywhere.
Any of you have kids or grandkids attending school? Then note the locking or lockable doors again with security staff & ring cameras.
Any of you ever attend a local TV station to be interviewed? Remember their locking doors.
Any of you drive through the worst parts of town sometimes? Then note yourself locking a car door probably.
Do any of you have loved ones serving in the military? Note the locked doors there during training, or the security gates for the base, etc.
Let's not belittle our COGs for locking doors the same way hospitals, medical offices, schools, nursing homes, & military installations will also. And remember how our cell phone carriers lock our info secure somewhat safely. Our pharmacies lock up our prescriptons, don't they?
Won't our blood banks also lock up the supply to keep it safe? Don't our financial executives lock with security when they have a board meeting, the same way a COG does during meetings?
Do any of you have common sense?