Are you aware of the potential vulnerabilities that exist within your church during services? With many people gathered, concentrating on one point of interest, typically away from the doors, it's essential to address the safety concerns that can arise. That's where a dedicated on-site safety team comes in. A safety team can provide extra peace of mind and keep issues, such as theft from vehicles in the parking lot, from happening. So how do you form an effective safety team? Continue reading for valuable insights and actionable steps to build a successful safety ministry.
Build Your Team – When forming your team, we recommend putting out an open call among church members. When possible, seek individuals with skills and knowledge that can be helpful during emergencies or in crime prevention. For example, former military personnel, law enforcement officers, security professionals, teachers, and individuals with insurance or legal backgrounds can all play a vital role in creating a robust safety team.
Involve Law Enforcement – Don’t attempt to go it alone; involving local law enforcement is crucial! They can perform a risk assessment of your premises, identify vulnerable areas, and recommend adjustments to enhance security. With their guidance, your safety team can receive the necessary training and resources to respond effectively to any potential threats or incidents.
Conflict Resolution – Safety and response teams aren’t about muscle and intimidation. It is of utmost importance to train team members in peaceful conflict resolution techniques, ensuring that altercations always result in peaceful outcomes. Regular refreshers and simulations are encouraged to keep skills sharp and response strategies up to date.
Communication & Planning – Just like in life, effective communication and planning are key elements of a proactive safety ministry. The more detailed, the better! A written criminal activity plan outlining how team members should react in various situations can make a world of a difference. By sharing your safety teams’ philosophy and purpose with church members, everyone becomes a crucial part of the security network. They'll know who to approach if they suspect criminal activity and who to turn to if unexpected situations arise.
Don't wait until an incident occurs to take action. Empower your congregation with the knowledge and resources necessary to ensure a safe and secure place of worship.
Download the Crime & Violence Handbook for Churches today!
This content has been prepared by United Methodist Insurance Company (UMI) for informational purposes only. No article or document may accurately contemplate all possible scenarios or church resources. As such, this information is meant to foster discussion by the individual church and its members to develop a plan tailored to its own circumstances. UMI is providing this information with no warranties or guarantees of any kind and it should not be viewed as legal, financial, or other professional advice. All liability is expressly disclaimed. Any claim examples described herein are general in nature, may or may not be based on actual claims, and are for informational purposes only. Any coverage available for a claim is determined from the facts and circumstances of the claim as well as the terms and conditions of any applicable policy, including any exclusions or deductibles. In the event of a conflict with the content herein, the terms and conditions of any issued policy will control. Individual coverage may vary and may not be available in all states.
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