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When will we get serious about guarding ourselves against predators inside and outside church walls who may be plotting attacks against us?

In years gone by, church doors stayed open round the clock. Lawsuits, embezzlement, and church shootings were things that happened to others. Today's headlines, however, tell us that crime has taken up residence even in our midst.

Churches should examine at least five areas of concern:

1. Access to the church. Far too many churches have no idea how many people have keys to their buildings. The leader of the Girl Scout troop that met in the church three years ago may have a key. So might the former custodian or previous committee chairperson. Any of those people could enter your building at any time.

Thieves could easily get into your church because of open or poorly secured doors and windows. Most churches do not have security systems. Furthermore, they invite theft by leaving hot black-market items, such as microphones, sound systems, VCRs, TVs, and computer equipment in the open or in unlocked cabinets.

2. Pending repairs. Your women's club is having a community luncheon. As an elderly visitor walks down the steps, the handrail she's holding pulls away from the wall. The lady falls down the steps and hurts her back. A lawsuit is filed for medical expenses as well as negligence.

Further investigation reveals that the loose handrail was mentioned in the minutes of trustee meetings for three straight months. The church is almost certainly liable.

Pending repairs, slips or falls, environmental hazards, improper lighting, and other physical hazards can be the downfall of a good church. Attorneys are realizing that churches and non-profits are easy to sue, especially when they don't prevent or repair hazards.

Church trustees or committee members who have the task of providing a safe environment for members and visitors usually meet once a month or less. Unintentionally they may leave the church vulnerable to injuries and lawsuits.

3. Employee safety. A stranger enters a church in a Midwestern city and asks to use the restroom. Minutes later he walks into the office, pulls a gun on the staff, and shoots the secretary and pastor.

That church changed many of its policies to prevent such a thing from recurring, but, like so many other churches, its approach was reactive rather than proactive. A policy on safety would save many churches the agony of injury and loss.

4. Access to money. "Long-time Church Treasurer Charged with Embezzlement."

No one wants to read a headline like that, especially if it refers to one's own church. Nonetheless, financial misconduct in churches is making headlines. We naturally fear strangers who might break in and steal. Less obvious thieves are treasurers, deacons, secretaries, pastors, and other people who work for us.

People we suspect the least make the best embezzlers. Many pastors and church leaders whom I spoke to admitted that at least part of their church's money management was flawed. Yet they were quick to say that the person in charge of their church finances was a "patron saint" and that any change in procedure would be interpreted as a statement of distrust. Most preferred to leave things as they were, regardless of the risk.

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