Open Arms, Safe Communities: The Theology of Church Security
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Most houses of worship know they need a safety plan, but leadership often resists the tough conversations of restricting access and locking more doors. This seems contrary to proclaiming that church is a welcoming, open place for all. There are books, manuals, guides, and articles advising how to create a safety plan for faith-based institutions, but none of them wrestles with the theological questions that come up during the process.
By exploring these questions, faith-based institutions of all kinds can better tackle the challenges of creating a safety plan with more thought, insight, and confidence. Understanding that incidents of violence are impossible to ignore, candor about the firearms debate will allow for deeper empathy and clearer direction in decision-making. Throughout this book, the author encourages leadership to reconcile having ultimate faith in God with taking reasonable means to protect ourselves and those in our care.
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JEANIE GARRETT created and led St. David’s Safety Task force in Austin, Texas, and has trained with the Department of Homeland Security and the Austin Police Department. She has led volunteer trainings, and created staff safety manuals and volunteer guidelines. Prior to her work at St. David’s, she spent ten years as a television news reporter. She lives in Austin, Texas.
