How to Determine if Someone is Right for Your Safety Ministry

At the end of this article, I’ve included a bible study to go with selecting the right candidate. Don’t forget to relish God’s word at the end!

Many safety ministries select personnel for the safety team by picking them because they have a concealed carry permit. This doesn’t qualify a person to be armed and guard your church. You need to find out if they are mature and level headed enough to make quick decisions to deal with the problems that arise within the church.

Most issues that the safety team responds to don’t necessitate the use of a firearm. Most calls that the safety ministry respond to are issues like disruptive people, disputes, and mentally ill people needing intervention. Very rarely do people need to respond with focused violence.

Churches need to stop selecting people for the safety ministry because they are, “A good shot” or because they have been issued a CCW by the government. Neither show qualifications in dealing with people in crisis or handling battling parents in a messy divorce arguing in the Sunday school over who is taking their child home.

Instead, we need to start with effective interview of safety ministry candidates. We need to ask them everything from their walk with God to how they would handle certain situations. I have been involved in law enforcement oral boards (interviews) for decades and you would be shocked and horrified at some of the answers that come out of people’s mouths. You would also be heartfelt at the answers that come out of some great candidates that will put your mind at ease about how they would handle calls.

The Framework of the Oral Board

The oral board, modeled after law enforcement selection processes, serves as an interviewing method that allows you to see how applicants will handle certain calls. It typically consists of a panel of experienced individuals, potentially including church leaders and existing security team members. The objective is to evaluate candidates' suitability for the role, focusing on their decision-making abilities, ethical considerations, and alignment with the church's mission and values.

Assessing Spiritual Commitment

Your Walk

The spiritual maturity and commitment of a candidate are paramount in a church security role. Questions in this category delve into the candidate's personal faith journey. Understanding their spiritual walk, church involvement, and family life provides insights into their moral compass and alignment with the church's principles.

Your Interests and Experiences

Exploring a candidate's motivation for joining the Safety Ministry is crucial. It's important to assess their understanding of the role's importance and how their personal interests and experiences equip them for the position. This section also evaluates their willingness to work cohesively within a diverse team, respecting and learning from others regardless of their experience levels. Some of the answers might include their need to help serve the church. But, you might get some answers that indicate they are only there because they want to have authority over others.

Emphasizing Ministry Beyond Security

The Safety Ministry is more than just a security detail; it's a ministry. Candidates should comprehend and embrace the broader implications of their role, which extends beyond physical security to encompass caring for the congregation and embodying the church's values. I like to think of the safety ministry as “enhanced greeters.” You’ll want to ask questions that reflect their understanding that they are there to help the congregation, but also keep an eye out for danger.

Grasping the Weight of Responsibility

Do they understand that they may have to take a life? I asked this question in oral boards frequently and was shocked at the number of people who applied for police officer that had never considered that question. Many candidates battled internally as they struggled to come up with an answer. I was also shocked at how some candidates were flippant about taking a life. This is a very telling question that will make you fully understand a candidate’s motivation and whether they have what it takes to serve. You want a candidate that has already found an answer to this question and is at peace.

Decision-Making in Critical Situations

The most challenging aspect of church security involves making split-second decisions under pressure. Questions here assess the candidate's mental readiness and ethical considerations in hypothetical high-stakes situations, including the potential need to draw a weapon. The emphasis is on understanding their thought process and ensuring they possess the necessary judgment and restraint for such a role.

I often ask two questions: One question that shows the candidate can handle a situation without force and one question that shows they can use deadly force if needed.

For the first question, I’ll ask a question about a fight that erupts. I want to know that they will have someone call the police and that they will break up the fight using that amount of force necessary to stop the fight. They should describe various force options they can use to stop the belligerents.

As for finding out if the candidate understands deadly force, I ask them this question: A man is holding a knife and is about to stab his wife. You can’t get to them. There is a chain link fence separating you from the two parties. What are you going to do?

Many candidates will go through a process of describing how they would get around the fence, over the fence, or through the fence. My answer is always the same; the fence is indestructible. It goes for infinity in either direction and goes straight up to the heavens. However, it is chain link, so you can see through it. I then tell them that the man is now stabbing the woman.

An appropriate answer is to shoot the man through one of the holes in the chain link fence. However, a clear majority of the people applying for police officer that I ask this question of, will continue to find a way around, over or through the fence. I will continue answering them about the parameters of the fence and tell them that she is telling you she is dying and that she is now bleeding out. I will have people that will not shoot the man with the knife. I also have people that will shoot the person right away to stop the stabbing from happening (which is the correct answer). This shows you whether that person is prepared to carry a gun in defense of others.

What Questions Should You Ask?

Here are some sample questions you should be asking potential candidates.

Your Walk

Tell me about your Walk?

When did you surrender your life to Jesus?

What does your time in the Word, prayer, and church involvement look like?

What does your Walk look like in your family time?

Your Interests and Experiences

What caused you to be interested in the Safety Min?

Why is the Safety Ministry important to you?

Tell me about your interests/experiences that might be a benefit to you on the Safety Ministry.

Some people on the Safety Ministry may be less experienced than you. Will it be difficult to work with or even answer to those people?

It’s a Ministry

The Safety Ministry is a ministry. What does that mean to you beyond serving as security or caring for an injury?

It’s a Heavy Responsibility

The Safety Ministry is a higher level of responsibility. We ask our team to serve at least once a month and attend at least 7 monthly trainings throughout the year. Are you available and willing to participate regularly?

The likelihood of drawing your weapon during a church gathering is almost zero, but not zero. Have you thought about whether you would be able to confidently draw your weapon in church?

Would you be able to pull the trigger?

What if it was a 14 year old girl?

You can change this up any way you like. This is just a guide and you should tailor it to your church. You need to understand what that applicant will do in a critical incident.

The implementation of a law enforcement-style oral board in selecting church security team members is a significant step in safeguarding the congregation. This comprehensive approach ensures that individuals are not only legally qualified but also spiritually aligned and ethically sound for the responsibilities they will undertake.

Bible Study Section: Integrating Christian Principles in Security Ministry Selection

As we delve into the selection process for church safety ministries, it's essential to anchor our approach in biblical principles. This ensures that our security teams not only protect the physical well-being of our congregations but also embody the spiritual and moral values central to our faith. Here are key biblical insights to guide the interviewing and selection of candidates for church security roles.

Guided by Wisdom and Discernment

Proverbs 3:21-23 reminds us, "My son, do not lose sight of these—keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble." In selecting security team members, wisdom and discretion are paramount. These qualities ensure that individuals can make prudent decisions in high-pressure situations, reflecting a Christian approach to conflict resolution and crisis management.

The Heart's Condition Matters

1 Samuel 16:7 states, "For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." This verse underscores the importance of assessing a candidate's heart and spiritual maturity. Their walk with God, understanding of biblical teachings on peace, and commitment to serving with humility and love are critical factors. These inner qualities often predict how they will respond in challenging circumstances more accurately than any external qualifications.

Peacemakers in Christ's Name

Jesus pronounced in Matthew 5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Those selected for the safety ministry should embody this peacemaking spirit, striving to resolve conflicts and tensions with the peace and love that Jesus exemplifies. Their role is not merely to act as physical protectors but as ambassadors of Christ's peace, even in potentially volatile situations.

Serving with a Shepherd's Heart

John 10:11-12 provides a powerful model in Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who lays down His life for the sheep. Unlike a hired hand, who cares more for his wages than the sheep, a church security team member should have a shepherd's heart, prioritizing the safety and well-being of the congregation over personal interests or desires for authority. This servant leadership approach is crucial for anyone taking on a role of responsibility within the church.

Preparedness and Vigilance

1 Peter 5:8 advises, "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." This verse highlights the importance of vigilance and preparedness, qualities essential for church security team members. They must be alert to potential threats, not out of fear, but with a calm and trusting reliance on God's protection and guidance.

Integrating these Principles

Incorporating these biblical principles into the interview process involves asking questions that reveal candidates' spiritual maturity, understanding of biblical peacemaking, and commitment to serving with a shepherd's heart. For instance, discussions about their personal faith journey, how they have dealt with conflicts in a Christ-like manner, and their motivations for joining the safety ministry can provide deep insights into their suitability for this critical role.

By grounding our selection process in these Christian values, we ensure that our church security teams not only protect our physical spaces but also contribute to the spiritual and moral fabric of our congregational life. This approach reaffirms our commitment to living out the Gospel in all aspects of church life, including how we manage safety and security within our communities.

We invite your thoughts and experiences on this topic. How does your church approach the selection of security team members? What additional measures do you find effective in ensuring the right fit for such a crucial role? Your input is valuable in this ongoing conversation about maintaining safety and integrity within our church communities.