Churches are notorious for minimal security. And while acts of violence at church are rare, recent shootings at churches and schools beg the question: What can leaders do to protect their people? Based on experience in the pulpit and on the police force, here are four steps you can take to reduce risk—and possibly save lives—at your church.

Learn their plans ...

Topics:	Church safety, Communication, Crime, Operations, Policies, Security
Filters:	Church board, Facility management, Greeter, Pastor, Usher
Purpose:	Fellowship
References:	Psalm 5:11
Date Added:	August 08, 2007

It was just after the horrible 1999 shooting at Wedge-wood Baptist Church in Ft. Worth, Texas, that killed seven and injured seven more. Another pastor, having heard about the tragedy, called me for advice, and almost as an afterthought mentioned, "Something like that couldn't happen at our church."

I asked why.

...

I was speechless. I regrouped and said, "As a pastor, I'd be deeply concerned if I were ...

Topics:	Church safety, Communication, Crime, Operations, Policies, Security
Filters:	Children's ministry, Church board, Elder, Facility management, Pastor, Pastoral care
Purpose:	Fellowship
References:	Luke 15:1-7
Date Added:	August 08, 2007

Malpractice is a failure to exercise an acceptable degree of skill in the performance of professional duties that results in injury to another. In the past, malpractice lawsuits were limited to doctors and lawyers. But in recent years, malpractice suits have come against clergy. Pastors who engage in counseling as a part of their ministry should be aware of the following conclusions regarding "clergy ...

Ministers who engage in sexual relations with adults or minors face a variety of consequences, including criminal liability, civil liability, and loss of ministerial credentials. Below we will explore each in detail.

Many ministers who have engaged in sexual relations with a counselee have been shocked to learn that they can be prosecuted for their actions. Several states have enacted ...

It is common for pastors to learn that child abuse is occurring. Often, pastors assume that they can resolve such matters by counseling with the victim or the alleged offender, without contacting civil authorities. Such a response can have serious legal consequences.

To avoid those, it is imperative for pastors to be able to answer the following questions:

Child abuse is defined ...

Defamation consists of (1) oral or written statements about another person; (2) that are false; (3) that are "published" (that is, communicated to other persons); and (4) that injure the other person's reputation. If the words are oral, the defamation may be called slander. If the words are written, the defamation may be referred to as libel.

Pastors may commit defamation by making false statements ...