Tag: Christianity

Practical Steps to a Safe Church

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As Kentucky Baptist pastors and leaders, one of our sacred responsibilities is to care for the flock God has entrusted to us. That means preaching, praying, and shepherding spiritually—but it also means protecting our people physically.

Just as we lock our homes at night or install smoke detectors, we take precautions in our churches because we love the people God has placed in our care. With that in mind, here are some practical, common-sense steps every Kentucky Baptist church can consider.

1. Strengthen Your Welcome Team. Your greeters, ushers, and volunteers are the first line of awareness. Train them not only to warmly welcome guests, but also to be observant. A kind handshake and a watchful eye can both happen at the same time. If something looks or feels off, then report it.

2. Control Building Access. Once services begin, it’s wise to limit how many doors are open. Lock side or back entrances and funnel guests through monitored entry points. Post clear signage so visitors know where to enter. Consider cameras or door monitors if your budget allows.

3. Develop a Safety Team. Even small churches can benefit from a few trusted members who are prepared for emergencies. Look for men and women with calm spirits and sound judgment (law enforcement, military, medical backgrounds are a plus). Establish a simple chain of command so decisions can be made quickly. Provide radios or communication tools so the team can respond without disrupting worship.

4. Prepare for Medical Emergencies. In many churches, medical emergencies are more likely than security threats. Being ready can save a life. Keep first-aid kits in visible locations. Install an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Train volunteers in CPR and basic first aid. During one of my pastorates, two heart attacks happened right in the middle of the church services. Fortunately, trained medical responders handled the situation immediately and effectively.

5. Partner with Local Law Enforcement. Your sheriff’s office or police department can be a valuable ally. Invite them to tour your facilities and point out vulnerabilities. Ask for advice on evacuation routes and emergency procedures. Let them know your service times so they can include your church in patrol routes.

6. Communicate and Train. A plan only works if people know it. Walk your team through drills—fire, weather, intruder, medical. Share emergency exit routes with your congregation. Keep communication clear, calm, and simple.

7. Keep the Balance. Our churches should always be places of warmth and welcome. Security must never overshadow hospitality. Done well, it will mostly go unnoticed—ready if needed, but invisible during worship.

In Summary, Pastor, now is the time to prepare. You don’t need a massive budget or an army of volunteers. Start small. Pray. Gather a few trusted leaders. Put simple, practical steps in place.

The people who sit in your pews week after week are precious souls made in God’s image. Protecting them is part of shepherding them. Let’s be faithful in this calling—not out of fear, but out of love.

3 Types of Peace for Believers

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But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23

3 Types of Peace for Believers

1. We can have peace WITH God. Apart from Christ, none of us have this peace. The Bible clearly teaches that “none of us are righteous” (Romans 3:10) and we “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23). But, Romans 5:1 assures us that we can “…have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.”

2. We can have the peace OF God. We will never have the peace of God unless we first have peace with God. Sadly, many believers who have experienced peace with God do not regularly experience the peace of God as a fruit of the Holy Spirit. The Apostle tells us that the peace of God comes as we walk with Christ on a daily basis. In his letter to the church at Philippi, he wrote “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4-7).

3. We can have peace WITH OTHERS. The Apostle Paul encourages us to “Live in harmony with one another…If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:16, 18). There are two qualifiers in vs. 18. He says “if possible.” Sometimes, regardless of what we do, people refuse to live in harmony. Similarly, “as far as it depends on you” reminds us of our personal responsibility, but it also reminds us that we are only half the equation. We cannot make people come to table and/or live at peace with us.

We serve a God of reconciliation and the Gospel is the ultimate example of reconciliation! God is good!

    “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.” Romans 5:10–11 (NKJV)

Churches & Car Dealerships

Posted in Assimilation, Church Chat, Church Revitalization, Evangelism, Funny, Ministry, Preaching, Worship1 Comment

Car Salesman

Is there anything in life more frustrating than buying a car? Last week my wife and I attempted to replace one of our vehicles. It seems that every time I step on a car lot it tests my Christianity–that day was no exception. At one point during the “trial,” while the manager was making a dramatic last-ditch effort to make a sale, I wanted to ask “do I have the word stupid tattooed on my forehead or something?” I kept my cool, but I sent him back to his secret manager’s lair without a sale.

Don’t misunderstand, I realize dealerships are in the business to make money and salesmen are just trying to earn a living. I don’t fault them for that, but the truth is, buying a car is about as much fun as having your fingernails pulled out with a pair of needle-nosed plyers. Through the years, I have owned various brands: Chevrolet, Ford, Chrysler, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and Mazda, but my experience was usually the same. I believe both car dealerships and churches might benefit from some of the things I wanted to say to the dealership that day:

  • I’m not the scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz. Believe it or not, I actually have a brain. I’ve done some reading and research in my life. I can think, evaluate, and make decisions. Don’t talk down to me.
  • Give me some space. Sometimes I like to window-shop a little before being bombarded with the “sales pitch.” I expect a “sales pitch” and I’m ok with that, but just give me some space first. Let me just “kick the tires” for a while. If I really like them, I will buy them from you and a car to go with them!
  • Be honest with me. We all know the stereotype that car salesmen are dishonest. In many cases, they probably earned that reputation. The church is sometimes viewed the same way, so honesty is paramount to me.
  • Don’t play games and don’t play me. There’s nothing I hate much more than “being played.” Almost everyone I know feels the same way. Car dealerships, churches, salesmen, and preachers should be transparent and genuine.
  • Give me the facts and give them to me fast. How long can it possibly take to calculate the value of my trade-in? I looked up the Kelly Blue Book price on the internet in 5 minutes before I left the house! Don’t go on and on–it won’t change the facts. Give me the facts and I’ll make a decision.
  • Sell, but don’t oversell. I came expecting a sell, but don’t go overboard or you will turn me off for sure.

Boy oh boy…..I feel so much better now that I got that off my chest. Thanks for allowing me to vent. Let me end with this question, “how often does an unchurched person want to make these same statements to us after he visits one of our churches?”