Church Security Institute Network

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We’re here to serve Him and His, and help ministries, churches, synagogues, private schools or businesses, with their safety, security, risk management, training, supervision and equipment needs. We are here to help, please let us know how we can assist you. Email: for more info, news, questions and events. Our Ministry Discount Code Can Save You Money On Training, Planning & Equipment Costs! Email Us For More Info: ChurchSecurityInstitute@gmail.com

  • Physical Readiness for Church Security Teams

    Church security is not a ceremonial role. On a difficult day, someone may need to move quickly, assist another person, or respond to a developing situation before law enforcement arrives.

    This is not about age. It is about readiness. Faithful service matters. Experience matters. But physical limitations must be honestly evaluated so the team remains safe and effective.

    What the Role May Require

    Church security regularly involves:

    • Standing for extended periods
    • Walking hallways and exterior property
    • Climbing stairs
    • Assisting someone who has fallen or become ill
    • Moving with purpose during an emergency
    • Maintaining awareness under stress

    These are not extreme expectations. They are routine realities.

    The Key Question

    Every team member should be able to ask:

    • Can I perform these tasks without becoming the emergency?
    • Can I assist someone safely if needed?
    • Can I move quickly for short distances if circumstances require it?

    This is not a military standard.
    It is not a law enforcement fitness test.
    It is a practical readiness standard for ministry safety.

    Service Is Honored — Readiness Is Required

    Many of our safety team members helped build these ministries. Their commitment and years of service are deeply valued.

    At the same time, roles may need to adjust over time. Some may serve best at access control, communications, medical support, monitoring cameras, or administrative coordination rather than patrol or rapid response.

    Adjusting assignments is not a demotion. It is stewardship.

    A team member serving in an active security role should reasonably be able to:

    ☐ Stand for 30–60 minutes
    ☐ Walk the property without significant difficulty
    ☐ Climb stairs safely
    ☐ Assist an adult who has fallen
    ☐ Move quickly for short distances

    If any of these cannot be performed safely, leadership should help identify a role better suited to the individual’s current abilities.

    Church security is about protecting people well. Honest conversations about readiness strengthen the team, protect the congregation, and honor both service and safety.

    Special thanks to Keith Graves, founder of Christian Warrior Training Academy, for his leadership and instruction, that continues to strengthen church safety ministries. ChristianWarriorTraining.com

  • Church Safety Security

    Crowd Disruptions, Disorder, and Safety Response

    Church leadership—specifically the pastor and governing body—must define how disruptions will be handled and clearly communicate those expectations to the Safety Ministry Team. The team operates under the authority, direction, and policies established by church leadership and does not act independently of that guidance.

    Authority and Decision-Making

    All responses to disruptions must align with:

    • The authority of the pastor and church leadership
    • Established church policies and procedures
    • Applicable local and state laws

    Safety Team members must understand what actions they are authorized to take, when leadership direction is required, and under what circumstances outside assistance (such as law enforcement or emergency services) may be requested.

    Role of Safety Ministry Team

    The Safety Ministry Team exists to protect people, not to serve as law enforcement. The primary mission is to maintain a safe and secure environment that allows worship to continue whenever possible.

    Core responsibilities include:

    • Early identification of potential disruptions
    • Calm, respectful engagement
    • De-escalation of tense situations
    • Protection of congregants, staff, and visitors

    Whenever feasible, team members should seek peaceful solutions, such as moving a disruptive individual or conversation outside of the worship space to reduce tension and prevent escalation.

    De-escalation and Safety Focus

    De-escalation is a critical skill and priority. Team members should:

    • Remain calm, respectful, and non-confrontational
    • Avoid actions that could escalate emotions or draw unnecessary attention
    • Work to resolve issues discreetly and safely

    The goal is always to preserve safety, dignity, and the sanctity of worship while minimizing disruption.

  • Holiday Safety Security Tips. Be Safer, Not Sorry

    We urge all Churches, Houses Of Worship and Synagogues to take extra precautions during this Holiday New YearSeason.

    1. Ensure awareness and coordination with law enforcemen, the Faith Community, and security professionals. Who may be serviing your facility.
    2. Extend the protections or security of your event’s/facility’s perimeter as far as possible. Many Assaults, Attacks, Breakins, Crimes, start in parking or other perimeter areas.
    3. For Specoal Events open to the public, you may want to require registration and verification of those attending. You may want to rovide details of location, time, and other information only upon confirmed registration of those coming.
    4. You should always have access control (locks and entrance procedures) if possible, and monitored entry doors, to only allow known, confirmed registrants/attendees coming, into the facility/event. All other doors locked.
    5. You should always remain vigilant to activities,anything out of the ordinary, and report any/all suspicious activity.
    6. Deter, Detect Any Unusual Activity, to Prevent a problem vs have to Defent aan incident or problem that comes up. If there is a possible problem in the parking, perimeter areas, call for backup up by your team and secure entry areas.
    7. If it looks like a potential problem, contact law enforcement and ket them know not an emergency yet, but ask fot a back up sent in case a later need. If things check out ir clear up, call and cancel the back up. Be safe, not sorry.

    Wishing you and yours a Hsppy And Safe, Successful, New Year For 2026. God Bless.

  • Securing Sacred Spaces: And Protecting Your Flock

    In today’s world, preparedness is a necessity, especially when it comes to protecting your congregation. That’s why we’re inviting church leaders, volunteers, and safety teams to two important events hosted by CSI Security in two locations on Dec 13th:

    Securing Sacred Spaces: Protecting Your Flock 📅 Date: December 13, 2025

    🕒 Registration 8:30A, Event 9A-11A

    📍 Location: Jackson Memorial Baptist Church- 4316 Bruce Road, Chesapeake, VA 23321

    🕒 Registration 1:30P, Event 2P – 5P

    🎈 Location: Grafton Baptist Church- 1301 Old York-Hampton Hwy, Yorktown, VA 23692

    This workshop will cover real-world strategies and best practices for enhancing church safety. You’ll learn how to proactively address potential threats, Respond To Emergencies.

    Topics Include:

    • Threat recognition and response
    • Legal protections and liabilities
    • Emergency preparedness and planning
    • Real-life case studies and lessons learned

    Seats are limited — RSVP now to reserve your spot. As our Special Guest Use Code CSIVA when you register, and get a Free ticket, as a CSI Guest..

    👉 Register Here For Jackson Memoral 1st Event Reg. 8:30A, 9-11A

    👉 REGISTER HERE For Grafton 2nd Event Reg.1:30P, Program 2-4P

    Let’s work together to keep our churches safe, secure, and welcoming. If you have any questions or want more info on this or future training, visit ChurchSecurityInstitute.net andSubscribe to our Free Newsletter and info. Or Email: Bob@ChurchSecurityInstitute.net 

    Hosted by Church Security Institute, GBC, and JMBC, In partnership with Right To Bear.

  • Norfolk InfraGard Chapter Holiday Luncheon Dec 4.

    This years pot luck luncheonis set for December 4th, 11:30A, at Dominion Enterprise Building, 150 Granby St, in Downtown Norfolk. Parking is available in nearby MacArthur, Town Point Parking Garages. Parking Fees Apply.

    The topics for discussion are Threat Evaluation, presented by retired FBI Agent Mike Freeman, and current
    Va Beach Emergency Management Deputy Security Coordinator. And Recognizing, Responding, and De-escalating Workplace Violence by Joseph Klucynski, Protective Security Advisor, DHS/CISA.

    This is a Pot Luck Luncheon, and our members and guests are invited to bring a dish to share. This is a great opportunity to network with others in business, faith based community, healthcare, industry, military, and public safety officials in Hampton Roads, as you eat and learn more.

    Below is the link to Reserve A Free Ticket to this popular annual event, to meet new contacts and friends, network with others, and learn more, as you enjoy a great pot luck lunch.

    https://www.eventbrite.com/e/infragard-norfolk-chapter-holiday-potluck-luncheon-tickets-1962597625329?aff=oddtdtcreator

    And don’t forget our two Faith Based Safety Security Training Events Dec. 13th. A flyer will be on the way soon, and you can pre-register by emailing your contact info, cell number, name of church, city. Do they have a Safety Team, and are you on it, or they want to start one. Email your info to us at: ChurchSecurityInstitute@gmail.com

  • What Is Happening To Our Youth, And It’s Behavior?

    ATHENS, Ga. (WKRC) –  Teenager allegedly confessed to beating his own grandmother to death inside a church she attended, with her body later being discovered in the holy building. Could it be at your church?

    Police were dispatched to Smith Chapel Holiness Church at around 5:45 p.m. on October 29 after family members discovered 73-year-old Ollie Hamilton dead inside of the church, according to The Independent. The victim was reportedly found near an area that led to the kitchen, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

    Investigators said they found evidence linking Ollie’s 17-year-old grandson, Jadynn Hamilton, to the crime. “The longer the investigation went, evidence started pointing in a certain direction,” Sheriff Kevin Crook said during a press conference obtained by the Monroe Journal.

    “A young man had supposedly gone for help early on after the attack. We ended up bringing him in last night, and he confessed to the crime.” Authorities did not explain Hamilton’s motive and noted that he had no prior run-ins with law enforcement.
    https://kfoxtv.com/news/nation-world/teen-murdered-grandma-church-grandson-teenager-grandmother-police-chapel-hamilton-kitchen-dead-beat-to-death-killed-murder-kill-attack-attacked-confessed-confession-guilty-admitted-tragedy

    Here is some added info from Christian Warrior Training Academy:

  • Liability For What You Do, And What You Don’t Do

    Many think you can only be liable for what you do, not what you don’t do. This Newport News School Shooting, by a six year old, who shot teacher.

    Nothing done by administrator after six warnings, shows that’s wrong. Not taking action has resulted in a $10 Million Judgement for the injured teacher. Are You Protected?

    And this is why Church Safety Security Team Members Should Have Their Own Personal Legal Protection, In Addition To What The Church May Have Them Covered By.

    We will be discussing this at our Dec 13th Seminar in Chesapeake and York County VA. If you haven’t gotten info on this, please Reply and will get info out to you, to help Be Prepared. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kentrump_schoolsafety-schoolshooting-schoolleaders-activity-7391852833370763264-c7s2?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&rcm=ACoAAAGTLN0BKDVmgxGMrUswNqrxZbyQstKuHGI

  • Church Safety Security Training In December In Hampton Roads Virginia

    Just a Pre Advanved Announcement for three Church Safety Security Training Events in December. The 1st will be Sat Dec 4th on Embezzlement, to help your church protect its assets, avoid losses

    .

    The next two will be on Sat, Dec 13th and the morning event will be on the Southside in the Churchland area of Chesapeake, with 8:30 Registration and training 9A-12N. The afternoon Registration at 1:30P in Your County on the Peninsula, training is 2-5PM.

    The topic for both of the events is:

    Interactive Sessions on Threat Assessment: Learn how to identify potential risks, including active shooter scenarios, vandalism, and other threats specific to houses of worship.

    Security Best Practices: Dive into strategies for access control, surveillance systems, emergency response planning, de-escalation techniques to keep church safe.

    Legal and Liability Insights: Understand the legal aspects of self-defense, liability reduction, and how our self-defense liability protection can support your team.

    Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded professionals and volunteers who share experiences in a safe, supportive, faith community.
    Duration and Format: The workshop is a 2-3 hour session, combining lectures, group activities, and Q&A sessions.

    This training for church, houses of worship, should be of interest to Pastors, Deacons, Elders, Greeters, Staff, and Safety Security Teams, or those who need and want a team, this can be a great way for them to start.

    If you, or connections, might be interested in this Free Training, we ask you please email for more info:

    ChurchSecurityInstitute@gmail.com.

    We will be sending out more info but wanted to give heads-up to schedule.

  • A List of Active Killer Incidents at Houses of Worship

    What’s especially concerning is where and when these incidents occur. Nearly 60% of violent events begin in the parking lot, not inside the sanctuary, and about 60% occur on days other than Sunday. Does Your church Safety Security Team only serve on Sunday?

    That means every church’s preparedness plan must extend beyond Sunday worship to include midweek ministries, youth activities, special events, and office hours—times when the church is often most active, yet the least prepared. Does your Safety Security Team Serve Every Activity ?

  • A Prayer for Church Security Team Member

    Being a volunteer member of your church security team is a demanding responsibility. You invest considerable time, effort, and expense training and learning as much as you can to be able to properly respond to any emergency that may occur during a gathering of your church.

    The threat level against houses of worship in America is both real and rising. Since 1999, we’ve seen an increase of more than 2,400% in violent events against churches. There are many contributing factors, but one of the most significant is that churches have long been perceived as “soft targets.” Is your church a soft target?

    By nature, they are open and welcoming environments—and that openness, while essential to their mission, can create vulnerability if security isn’t intentional and proactive. Is Your Church Prepared, Ready To Act, React? Does it have a Safety Plan?

    https://www.semperverus.com/a-prayer-for-church-security-team-members/