Security seminar helps churches prepare
APRIL 16, 2007
It was nearly 11 years ago, yet it seems like just yesterday. It started out as a typical day. I was at my dentist’s office for a checkup and was asked by the dental hygienist if I wanted to watch television. I requested my favorite news channel and was shocked as I watched the news unfold on the horrific school shooting at Virginia Tech.
My first thoughts were for the safety of my son, who was a sophomore at that university. I excused myself from the dental chair and called my son, Andrew. He didn’t answer. I immediately texted him: “Andrew, this is your dad, are you safe?” Again, there was no answer.
I called my wife, who was teaching at a school down the street. Please pray! There has been a shooting at Virginia Tech, and Andrew is not answering. We waited for what seemed like an eternity before the phone finally rang. Thank God, Andrew was safe.
But there were many parents that day who would not receive an assuring phone call. Before the day was over, we would learn that 32 people were killed and 17 others wounded.
I am still haunted by the events that took place that day, but there are many more days that have struck fear into the hearts of Americans when gunmen target schools and churches.
NOV. 5, 2017
It was a beautiful fall morning in the quaint Texas community of Sutherland Springs. The members of First Baptist Church had gathered to worship when the shooter attacked. When it was over, 26 men, women and children lay dead. The shooter, Devin Patrick Kelley, 26, was angry at his mother-in-law and took it out on the congregation at the church she attended.
SEPT. 24, 2017
Emanuel Samson, wearing
a mask and a tactical vest, killed one person and wounded six in a shooting at Burnette Chapel Church of Christ in Antioch, Tennessee.
JUNE 17, 2015
The members of Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, were gathering for a midweek Bible study when 23-year-old Dylann Roof pulled out a gun and killed nine people.
FEB. 14, 2017
As I write this article, the news is pouring in on the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, where at the latest count, 17 students were killed by a troubled student.
Each of these terrible events strike fear into the hearts of people all across the country. Our churches and schools need to be safe places.
And churches especially should be places of love and security. We must be an open place for anyone to find love and acceptance.
How can places of worship be both safe and secure?
As the director of missions for the Hamilton County Baptist Association, I am often asked to provide training for our churches. Pastors and lay leaders are concerned about the welfare and safety of their congregations and want to make sure they are doing all they can to protect their flock. They don’t know where to go to provide the training and advice needed to adequately protect the people attending their church.
That is why every church needs to be at the Church Security Seminar.
This Tuesday, we will be offering this free workshop for all churches, regardless of denomination. It will be held at Abba’s House, 5208 Hixson Pike, in their old worship center. The conference starts at 6:30 p.m. and will conclude around 8:30 p.m.
The training will be offered by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department and the Chattanooga Police Department. There will be breakout sessions offered to deal with churches of all sizes and to give an opportunity to ask questions of these well-trained officers.
There is no charge for this, but we do ask that you register beforehand to give us an accurate count of the number that will be attending. Here is the link to register: https://www.eventbrite. com/e/church-safety-seminar-tickets-42751686445.
When arriving at Abba’s House, enter the parking lot at the entrance just north of the red light and go under the breezeway. Enter the building through the glass doors at the rounded steps and take the elevator or stairs upstairs. There, you’ll see the registration area at the rear of the Student Center. The registration table will be open at 6 p.m.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me at 423-267-3794, or you can email me at dennis@baptistassociation.com.
Hope to see you Tuesday.
Dennis Culbreth is director of missions for the Hamilton County Baptist Association.