Colorado Shootings Reflect Big Threats at Big Churches
Growth of megachurches has spawned an industry devoted to protecting and securing large congregations.
Kevin Eckstrom, Religion News Service | posted 12/11/2007 09:08AM
2 of 2
"The security threat of a crazed person—there's just no way to totally prepare for that," he said.
The celebrity status of some mega-church pastors is another concern.
"Some of these top pastors have become celebrities, and they carry with them the same crazy people who would attack Madonna or the Beatles, and religion is one of the things to which unstable people are attracted," said Hartford's Thumma.
Still, churches' open-door atmospheres frown on the use of some precautions, such as metal detectors or pat-downs. People seek churches for comfort and healing, not to undergo a background check, said Dale Annis, director of Church Security Services, a consulting firm in Bakersfield, Calif.
"If you're trying to win converts," he said, "you don't want it to be so fortified that you're going into Fort Apache."
It's not just the big churches where security is a concern. At Annis' 600-member Olive Drive Church, a 16-person security team is trained in CPR and First Aid. A golf cart roams the parking lot to deter break-ins, and Annis carries a firearm—just in case.
"Churches are really easy pickings if you think about it," he said. "You've got several hundred people, all in one place with their heads down and their eyes closed. I tell my security team to pray with their eyes open."
(David Finnigan contributed to this report from Los Angeles.)
Copyright © 2007 Christianity Today.
Click for reprint information.
Related Elsewhere:
Liveblog coverage of the shootings includes:
Security Guard Describes Shooting | "It was me, the gunman, and God," security guard says.
Gunman's family asks for forgiveness as YWAM explains relationships | Murray "was briefly a student" at training center but did not complete program.
Gunman "Hated Christians," Kicked out of YWAM | Man killed four at training center and megachurch.
Reports Draw Connections Between Victims, Shooter | Sisters in New Life shooting were heavily involved with Youth With a Mission.
Five killed in New Life Church, YWAM center attacks | Police think two separate shootings may be related.
Leadership published a police officer's advice on how to prevent, or react to, a gunman at church.
RSS Feeds
Audio
Twitter
share this page
E-mail
Print
Post
Subscribe to Christianity Today magazine today!
