Until recent years, certain things were off limits to even the most hardened criminals.
In the past, three types of people were usually spared from violent crime: Children, senior citizens and individuals on the property of a church.
Churches and the people in them were considered sacred, and the toughest thugs in the roughest neighborhoods bypassed churches on their robbing/killing/drug dealing sprees.
In fact, in some communities the church was the only institution that rival gangs would trust to broker peace arrangements.
Until a generation ago, some churches could leave their doors unlocked at night so parishioners could come in for quiet reflection and prayer in a sacred environment.
Recent events, however, sadly paint a different picture of churches that seemingly have to be afraid of their own neighborhoods.
Many of us remember the summer of 2007, when a band of thieves destroyed outside air conditioning units at churches to steal copper for sale on the illegal market. Many congregations had to spend limited resources repairing those units and fencing them in. That same year I interviewed a local pastor who was robbed at gunpoint in the parking lot of his church.
More recently, a gunman killed two members of a Tennessee church last July because he thought the congregation had become too liberal about rights for women and gays. The following November, a man killed his estranged wife and wounded two others in a New Jersey church.
This month Rev. Fred Winters, pastor of First Baptist Church in Maryville, Illinois, was shot to death in an act of random violence that also wounded two of his church members.
What happened to the good ole’ days when the church only had to defend itself (intellectually) from atheists and communists?
Today disgruntled members, regular criminals and the deranged have the audacity to bring violence into a church in order to settle a score or feed their illegal habits.
That is why more congregations are taking strong measures to protect themselves. Many congregations (especially the larger ones) have hired security guards, while others enlist the help of volunteers for “security ministries.” These volunteers are usually off-duty or retired law enforcement/military personnel who donate time during church activities.
The recent shootings have prompted the Arkansas legislature to consider allowing worshippers to carry guns during services.
Many Christians are divided on the issue of having firearms in their church. Those against the idea say guns have no place whatsoever in the house of God. They often cite Matthew 5:39, where Jesus encourages us to “turn the other cheek” and react with non-violence; along with Luke 22:51, where Jesus admonishes Peter for cutting off the ear of a man who tried to arrest him.
Other Christians note that while Jesus always stood firm against enemies such as the Pharisees and satan, he actually only expressed passionate anger in Mark 11:15-17, when he drove out money-changers for turning a temple into “a den of robbers.” Jesus, they say, took strong action to protect the sanctity and peace of the temple when it was violated, although he didn’t physically retaliate against anyone.
I’m not sure what the law is in Indiana, but I favor a compromise position. In my humble opinion, congregations should at least have the option to keep a weapon on their premises if they choose to do so.
The right for citizens to carry arms is protected by the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. That does not mean civilians should be allowed to carry a military grade weapon such as an AK-47 or Uzi, but rather a handgun for personal protection.
However, the law should only allow a trained security officer, not every church member, to carry a weapon into a church (can you imagine two angry members having a gunfight at the altar?). Criminals and crazies will think twice about taking advantage of peaceful people when more churches start hiring armed security officers on staff or use security contractors to patrol their facilities.
Of course, non-lethal weapons such as mace and stun guns are viable alternatives.
The enemy would love nothing more than to physically detroy the membership of churches, or at the very least paralyze them with fear so they won’t reach out with love.
Therefore, at the end of the day it is important to remember that the most effective tool for safeguarding churches is prayer. The most powerful man-made weapons will not protect a church or household if it is not under the Lord’s spiritual covering. One of the most comforting and effective prayers of protection is the 91st Psalm, which reads in verses 9-11: “If you make the most high your dwelling- even the Lord, who is my refuge – then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”
