How often do you think of security? Securing your wallet, home, car, job, family, neighbors? Chances are, if you’re in a western country, the answer is never. For the rest of the world it’s a constant threat. Reports about persecution of Christianity in the Middle East are alarming, but thinking about and taking action to protect our houses of worship should begin today.
Even in America media reports confirm what many citizens know: hate crimes are on the rise, incidents targeting religious institutions and houses of worship are especially troubling. Taking action to protect the buildings and people requires much preparation. The time to prepare is now. Faith never removes our responsibility to use the resources God has give us “Moroni did not stop making preparations for war, or to defend his people against the Lamanites…” Alma 50:1
The following curated resources, including U.S. government guidance, are available to help pastors, professionals and ordinary people plan for, prevent, and protect houses of worship. (All resources are free – login may be required)
- Download the Security Risk Analysis Guide
- Houses of Worship Vulnerability Mitigation Scenarios
- Houses of Worship Security Risk Analysis Process
- Target Hardening Suggestions
- Recommended Best Practices for Securing Houses of Worship
- The Delicate and Sensitive Nature of Church Security
ASIS International Seminar Sessions
- Crime Prevention for Houses of Worship, 2nd Edition
- Active Shooter: Preparing for and Responding to a Growing Threat
Government Documents and Resources
- Security Houses of Worship, a community guide
- House of worship security practices
- Threat assessment guide for houses of worship
- House of worship safety and security assessment
- Resources from FEMA
- DHS Safety and security resources
- Church security plan software
- How To Assess the Safety and Security of Your Place of Worship
- Conducting security assessments: A guide for houses of Worship (PPT)
- Slides-from-the-seminar-that-you-may-find-useful
- Security-Challenges-for-Houses-of-Worship-2010
- houses-of-worship-practices-security-guide-2013
- Church Crime PreventionVSept2008 ppt
