My Grandfather is an Evangelist minister for Greater Works Ministry in North Carolina. I spoke with him briefly as I expressed my concerns about the article. He attempted to reassure me as he says that there is nothing to worry about, as his patrons are the "kindest men and women God has created." The thing is I am more than sure the pastors, ministers, and priests from the other churches believed the same about their church attendees. The church is very similar to a mall, or school, or even a bank. If someone wanted to make a point by infiltrating a place with an abundance of visitors, a church is one of the top places.
Is it time to beef up security at our churches? An article I found discussed this very question. "When a black-clad gunman walked into New Life Church on Sunday and started shooting, he was met with the church's first line of defense: a congregant with a concealed-weapons permit and a law enforcement background." (Associated Press, 2007) Had it not been for Jeanne Assam, who shot the gun man; more lives would have been taken that Sunday morning at New Life Church. Those who enter the church doors believe everything that occurs is God's will; is crime God's will and if so why has law been created? Laws have been enacted to protect the innocent and persecute those who have wronged society.
[...] Is it time to beef up security at our churches? An article I found discussed this very question. “When a black-clad gunman walked into New Life Church on Sunday and started shooting, he was met with the church's first line of defense: a congregant with a concealed-weapons permit and a law enforcement background.” (Associated Press, 2007) Had it not been for Jeanne Assam, who shot the gun man; more lives would have been taken that Sunday morning at New Life Church. [...]
[...] (2004). Identifying and exploring security essentials. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. CNN. (2009). Churches Need Secuirty Plans, Experts Say. Retrieved October from http://articles.cnn.com/2009-03- 09/justice/church.security_1_security-plan-church-leaders-security- issues?_s=PM:CRIME. [...]
[...] Without faith, there is nothing worth living for. Everyone believes in something and it does not have to be the same as the person standing next us. Everyone is given the power and the right to practice their own belief. If that right is taken away it is similar to taking our beliefs away. Given the opportunity I would stand up for my beliefs, I would protect those who shared my beliefs, and I would protect the sanctuary provided to us to practice our beliefs. [...]
[...] However, church goers are from all aspects of life. Perhaps having a sit down discussion would first, express the concerns of the congregation members. Secondly, the group members can devise a reasonable plan of action. Providing security guards does cost money; money that Mega-churches have, but smaller community churches do not. If members of the congregation have concerns and fears, they may wish to provide denotations to the church to purchase some kind of security. If the idea of denotations fails, perhaps the members can prepare meals and baked goods to sell for the sole purpose of providing security guards for the church. [...]
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