Best Practices for Pastors and Churches
Security experts suggest that churches maintain a team of trained individuals to address disruptions and threats. Pastors, they advise, should generally try to carry on with the worship service and not confront, touch, or argue with any protesters. The same goes for congregants, who should avoid engaging with disruptive individuals and instead safeguard themselves and fellow worshipers.
Other best practices from outside threats include maintaining written policies and emergency procedures, holding training sessions, having clear communication strategies and lockdown guidelines, and keeping a relationship with local law enforcement.
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Emotions run high during church disruptions, and protesters often film the encounters. So experts advise pastors and congregants—as ambassadors of Christ and his church—to guard their words and actions. Another recommendation is to give protesters as little attention as possible.
Instead, church leaders should focus on their mission of spreading the gospel. Cities Church Pastor Jonathan Parnell did that on Sunday, when confronted by journalist Don Lemon. “We’re here to worship Jesus because that’s the hope of these cities,” Parnell told him. “That’s the hope of the world.”
