In response to a rising number of violent incidents in sacred spaces across the nation, churchgoers are increasingly turning towards specialized security training before attending worship services. Founded in 2014 by Kris Moloney, Sheepdog Church Security has emerged as a prominent organization helping religious communities to bolster their defenses while maintaining the core tenets of their faith.
Kris Moloney, leveraging his experience in both military and law enforcement, initially constituted a safety protocol for his local church in Minnesota. His initiative has since expanded, training over 6,000 individuals from various religious institutions across the United States.
The growing need for such measures reflects an unsettling trend: violent attacks in places of worship have reached an all-time high, prompting the security industry to flourish. Religious institutions now face the dual challenge of remaining open and inviting while ensuring the safety and security of their congregations.
Church security now encapsulates a wide array of preparations, including drills for handling medical emergencies and active shooter situations. These measures are designed to be discreet, with many church security personnel carrying concealed firearms to avoid disturbing the peaceful environment.
Interest in church security training has spiked, with searches related to church security yielding hundreds of thousands of results online. This surge is driven by a heightened sense of threat to religious communities, increasingly targeted in attacks.
Nationally, churches are integrating security training into their routine, preparing not only security personnel but also clergy and congregation members on how to respond to potential threats. Notable examples include active shooter training events in Tennessee and security training initiatives for spiritual leaders in Houston following the 2010 Lakewood Church shooting.
However, the concept of armed security in sacred spaces is met with mixed reactions. While some see it as an essential precaution, others fear it contradicts the peaceful nature of worship. In Idaho, where there has been a significant uptick in church security teams, the approach is broadly accepted due to the state’s pervasive gun culture.
At the core of the security programs, like those offered by Moloney, is the tailored consulting that adapts law enforcement techniques to fit the unique needs of a religious setting, all while incorporating theology into the practice. For instance, Moloney’s training materials blend biblical references with practical security advice, emphasizing a fusion of faith and defense.
This balance reflects a broader theological debate about the role of force in religious life. Some, like Keith Graves who runs Christian Warrior Training, advocate for preparedness and vigilance, drawing on scripture to support the practice of self-defense.
Contrasting perspectives come from clergy like Reverend Stephen Cady of Asbury First United Methodist Church in Rochester, New York. His congregation has opted against arming their church security, emphasizing that the essence of their faith centers on fostering an environment of empathy and reflection, which, in their view, cannot coexist with an armed presence.
The debate is complex and continues to evolve as incidents of violence in churches unfortunately persist, illustrating the tension between maintaining sanctuaries as places of peace and the imperative to protect those within from real-world threats. With no easy answers, churches across the country navigate these waters with careful consideration of their beliefs, community expectations, and the growing demand for security.