In the wake of recent violence against houses of worship, churches across America have been left with some tough decisions. The need for sound security measures is evident. And as believers, we know churches are not immune from internal or external attacks from the forces of evil (see 1 Cor. 5:12-13 or Acts 5:1-11) . But we also want the church to remain a hospital for sinners and a close community of the saints. How do we balance that tension?
I spoke with AJ Filidoro, Harvest Church of Cary, NC, Safety and First Aid Team Lead, to talk about how churches can properly respond to this challenge.
“Our church is in the early stages of building an emergency response system,” Filidoro explained. “That includes first aid, safety planning and eventually, security. But it’s not as simple as just deciding you need it. Everyone has different opinions. Some think, ‘That won’t happen here.’ But the truth is, every place that’s experienced violence once thought the same thing.”
Part of the concern, he said, comes from the church’s mission itself.
“We’ve stepped in to help domestic abuse victims, which is the right thing to do. But that also makes us a potential target for aggressors who know where those victims will be. If we’re going to serve vulnerable people, then we have a responsibility to keep them safe while they’re on our campus.”
Finding the balance is delicate, Filidoro explained. And it is a process that requires discernment, wisdom and grace.
“Church should still feel like church,” Filidoro said. “We don’t want security measures to make people uncomfortable or afraid to come. The goal is to keep people safe while still building community.”
Different Levels of Protection
Filidoro went on to elaborate on how not every congregation needs, or is prepared for, armed security. He advised churches to start off by getting proper policies, procedures and necessary liability insurance in place before considering having in-house armed security. He also advised to begin with building a healthy response system to medical emergencies, which are more likely to happen.
“First aid is the easiest step,” said Filidoro. “You get trained volunteers, equipment and procedures in place.”
Filidoro then talked more about the issues surrounding in-house armed security.
“It requires extensive training, clear policies, insurance considerations and ongoing drills, he said. “It’s a heavy responsibility, not something you can improvise. People often imagine, ‘We’ll be the good guys and handle the bad guys.’ But real-life situations come with legal consequences, potential injuries and long-lasting fallout.”
While Filidoro’s church works toward more formal policies, they’ve launched what he calls an “eyes and ears” team. Volunteers with radios circulate around the building, ready to call in concerns without engaging directly. Filidoro explained that this is something churches can implement fairly easily. He also highlighted the option of hiring off-duty police officers to be present during services, who your safety team can work in conjunction with.
“That’s something any church can do right away, bring in an officer, " said Filidoro. “Yes, it’s an expense, but it’s like insurance. You hope you’ll never need it, but you’ll be grateful it’s there if you do.”
The “eyes and ears” approach Filidoro has in place at Harvest Church also doubles as hospitality.
“They’re an extension of the welcome team,” he noted. “If someone arrives late or looks out of place, their first responsibility is to greet them. Most people are just visitors. But situational awareness is key. If it’s 90 degrees outside and someone walks in late wearing a trench coat and a backpack, that’s worth checking out. You do it in a friendly way, offer a cup of coffee, ask what brought them. You stay alert without being unwelcoming.”
Building for the Long Term
For Filidoro, preparation is rooted in humility and prayer.
“We pray every week that all these policies and procedures will just be a good exercise,” he said. “I would love for them never to be needed.”
Still, Filidoro believes churches can’t afford to ignore safety. His advice for congregations just beginning the conversation is simple: start small, reach out to local law enforcement and seek guidance from experienced professionals.
“The bare minimum is having an off-duty officer present,” he emphasized. “From there, build an awareness team and put clear policies in place. Protecting your people is part of your responsibility as a church.”