Are We Ready? Happy Easter, Christ has Risen! I found this description of Easter on the internet, “the most important and oldest festival of the Christian Church, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” See that, “the most important” of the Christian Church. That means we will be seeing our “Chreasters” soon. You know those that only come to church on Christmas and Easter. Of course we will also have the faithful that understand this is the most important celebration of our lives, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because of several issues that have happened around the country and the world we are taking a little harder look at the safety for our church on Easter. Why would we do anything different than we would any other weekend, because Satan would love to disrupt or destroy a church during this most Holy celebration. Understand what is said here is only my opinions and my opinions only. The only bases for what I am about to say is my observation of the world and my experience in what we do for churches. These are things I think about as to why Easter is so different and we need to plan differently for it.
June 2018 the U.S. Department of Justice/ Federal Bureau of Investigation put out a publication called A Study Of The Pre-Attack Behaviors Of Active Shooters In The United States Between 2000 And 2013. In this article they looked at over 60 cases of active shooter and found that they were more likely to occur in an educational facility or a house of worship. This tells me there is still a lot of work for us to be doing and we cannot let our guard down at any time. We must be diligent on our walls and make sure that all is safe and our churches are open to those that are coming to worship, those that are hurting and we keep a watchful eye out for those wolves in sheep clothing. Last week I was having dinner with a good friend that is a retired Norfolk Police Lieutenant. We started talking about the New Zealand Mosque shooting. He stressed to me that one of his greatest fears was that the next big shooting was going to happen at a vacation spot. He said not like at Disney or a big amusement park but like at a beach where on a really busy weekend families are out enjoying themselves when someone comes on the beach with a weapon and starts shooting. As we were sitting there talking I started thinking about how a lot of churches are going to be hosting an Easter egg hunt and a Sunrise Service. Maybe you have never thought about this being a potential target but after the dinner discussion I had with my friend I feel we need to pay more attention to what is going on around us instead of worrying about how many eggs have been found or how nice it is to have a service outside. This is what I am talking about, a habitual place where we feel nothing could happen. We have to be on alert to make sure this is the biggest celebration of the Christian Church and also the safest. Easter weekend make sure that you have Team Members at your doors with your Greeters, listen to your ushers. Make sure that you have at least two rovers in the parking lot because of the large amount of people that you are going to have coming and going at your churches. Remember “15 When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work.” Nehemiah 4:15. Have a great and blessed Easter. Remember He has risen and conquered death so let’s celebrate!
4 Comments
Sam Manning
4/13/2019 08:12:40 am
Thanks for all you do to help us guard from harm. I'm looking forward to our continuing conversation as you stated.
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Rich S.
4/13/2019 02:37:26 pm
Hi Jim, Okay I'll ask. You made the statement, "The shooter in New Zealand wore a Go-Pro which gave it the appearance of a first shooter game." What is a Go-Pro and what is a first shooter game? Are you saying that he wore a camera on his clothing and filmed it like you might to post (encourage others)?
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4/14/2019 01:42:36 pm
Hello Rich, Here's Jim's response to your question.....
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AuthorJim has many years of law enforcement experience and has run the safety team at his church for several years. TSA was formed after he realized God's calling when multiple churches reached out and asked him to present at their church. Archives
August 2024
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