After the Feb. 11 shooting at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church in Houston, O’Brien said he told his church leaders they need to reassess security protocols. The pastor urged all faith leaders, regardless of church size, to review their cameras, monitoring, and response plans. He also recommended knowing who has a concealed carry permit and keeping lists of resources ready in case of emergency.
Church leaders also must know how to communicate about this tough topic with members, O’Brien said, because any large-scale event now comes with a risk of violence. Congregants need reminders about maintaining situational awareness, reporting suspicious behavior, and responding to crisis situations. Adults often need more reminders than children, O’Brien noted, because students now have regular drills and lockdowns at school.
The Kansas City shooting occurred on the sixth anniversary of the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, that left 17 people dead.
