Key Takeaways
- Security in a House of Worship requires addressing de-escalation before incidents escalate into emergencies.
- Training helps security teams distinguish between upset individuals and potential threats; clear communication is key.
- Domestic issues often enter the sanctuary, necessitating vigilance and an understanding of the dynamics involved.
- Security isn’t just about stopping an active shooter; it also includes managing everyday emergencies and disruptive behavior.
- Preventive measures and de-escalation techniques can significantly reduce risks and maintain a safe environment.
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
When we talk about security in a House of Worship, the conversation usually goes straight to the active shooter. And yes, that threat exists. We have to be prepared for it. But what about everything that happens before something becomes that type of emergency?
What about the husband and wife who are arguing in the parking lot? What about the family dealing with a domestic situation that follows them into church? What about someone who is angry about something that happened during the service? What about the person who walks into the sanctuary already frustrated, emotional, or looking for an argument? What about the person who stands up in the middle of service and begins disrupting what is happening?
These situations may not start out looking like a security emergency. But they can become one. That is why de-escalation needs to be part of House of Worship security training.
Not Every Problem Requires a Physical Response
One of the biggest mistakes we can make in security is believing that every problem has to be met with force. It doesn’t. Sometimes the best security response is creating space, communicating clearly, listening, and getting the right people involved before the situation gets worse.
A security team should understand the difference between someone who is simply upset and someone who has moved into a level of behavior that presents an immediate danger. That takes training.
De-escalation is not about being afraid to act. It is about knowing when not to act physically. If we can prevent a situation from becoming physical in the first place, everybody wins.
Domestic Issues May Be More Common Than We Think
When we talk about threats to Houses of Worship, we often think about an outside person coming into the building. But sometimes the problem is already connected to someone who is part of the congregation.
Domestic issues can follow people through the front doors. A disagreement at home can become an argument in the parking lot. A custody dispute can spill into the children’s ministry. A relationship that has ended can create tension between two people who still attend the same church. Someone may come into the building angry, emotional, embarrassed, or looking for another person.
Our security teams need to recognize these warning signs. This doesn’t mean security volunteers become counselors, police officers, or marriage counselors. It means they know how to recognize a situation that is escalating and know what their role is.
Sometimes the right answer is simply: Separate the people. Create distance. Get leadership involved. Move children or vulnerable people away from the situation. Call law enforcement when necessary. The goal is to keep a difficult situation from becoming a dangerous one.
What About the Disruptor During Service?
Now let’s take it inside the sanctuary. Imagine you’re in the middle of worship and someone begins yelling. Maybe they are angry. Maybe they’re emotionally disturbed. Maybe they’re intoxicated. Maybe they are having a personal crisis. Maybe they simply want attention.
The first reaction from everyone around them may be to stare. Then somebody may yell back. Another person may walk toward them. Now you’ve got several people involved. The situation is getting louder. And suddenly, what started as one person’s disruption has become a larger problem.
This is where training matters. The security team needs to know who is responsible for communicating with the individual. Not five people. Not ten people. One trained person. The rest of the team should be observing, communicating, and preparing for whatever comes next.
That person needs to remain calm. Their voice matters. Their body language matters. Their distance matters. Their ability to listen matters. Sometimes simply allowing someone to talk can lower the temperature of the situation. That doesn’t mean agreeing with them. It doesn’t mean allowing them to threaten people. It means understanding that your job is to control the situation, not your emotions.
De-Escalation Starts Before the Incident
One of the things I tell Houses of Worship is that security isn’t something you turn on when something happens. Preplanning = Success in House of Worship Training.
Your team should already know: Who talks to a disruptive person? Who contacts leadership? Who watches the exits? Who protects the children? Who calls 911? Who meets law enforcement when they arrive? Where can the disruptive person be moved, if appropriate? What happens if the person becomes violent?
These decisions should not be made for the first time while everyone is standing there watching a situation unfold. Training gives people a plan. A plan gives people confidence. And confidence helps prevent panic.
De-Escalation Doesn’t Mean Ignoring the Threat
There is an important balance here. De-escalation does not mean standing in front of someone who is actively attacking people and trying to talk them down. There are situations where immediate action is necessary. Our security teams need to understand that difference.
We should always be looking at the totality of the situation: What is the person saying? What are they doing? Where are they going? Who is around them? Are there children nearby? Are they making threats? Do they have access to a weapon? Is the situation getting better or worse?
Those observations help determine what happens next. De-escalation is one tool in the toolbox. It is not the entire toolbox.
More from USA Carry:
We Need to Change the Way We Think About Church Security
I believe Houses of Worship need to move away from the idea that security is primarily about stopping an active shooter. That is one part of the responsibility. But our people face many other emergencies. Medical emergencies. Children’s safety issues. Domestic issues. Disruptive individuals. Mental health crises. Fire. Severe weather. Property damage. And yes, the possibility of an active or mass threat.
Our security teams need to be prepared for the whole picture. Sometimes security looks like protecting someone from an attacker. Sometimes it looks like getting a child away from a dangerous situation. Sometimes it looks like calling EMS. And sometimes security looks like standing between two angry people, creating some distance, and calmly saying: “Let’s take a breath. We’re going to work through this.” That is security too.
The Goal Is Prevention
The best security incident is often the one that never becomes an incident. If we can recognize behavior early, communicate effectively, create distance, and get the appropriate people involved, we may be able to stop a situation before it becomes physical.
That’s why I believe de-escalation belongs in every House of Worship security program. We train our people to respond to the worst-case scenario. But we should also train them to recognize the situations that happen every week.
Because the person who becomes a threat doesn’t always walk through the door looking like a threat. Sometimes they’re already angry. Sometimes they’re already hurting. Sometimes they’re already in crisis. And sometimes, with the right response from a trained team, the situation can end without anyone getting hurt.
We pray with our eyes open, so others may pray with their eyes closed. That means being prepared for more than the worst-case scenario. It means being prepared for what is actually happening around us.
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