For generations, churches have been places of refuge, sacred spaces where people gather to worship, find peace, and experience community under the care of God. Yet, in recent years, church leaders across the nation have had to confront a sobering reality—the world has changed, and with it, so has the nature of safety within our places of worship.
The question facing ministers and church administrators today is not whether their congregation should care about safety, but how to do so in a way that honors the spirit of worship while fulfilling their responsibility to protect God’s people.
Do Congregants Feel Safe?
Recent national surveys and studies reveal a quiet but growing concern among worshippers regarding personal safety during church services. A notable percentage of congregants acknowledge thinking about security when attending services.
A Lifeway Research survey found that 47% of Protestant churchgoers think about safety when they attend worship services, and 27% say safety concerns have influenced how often they attend.
While fear does not define most congregations, unease has become a reality that church leadership cannot ignore. When families feel uncertain about the safety of their loved ones, participation declines, engagement weakens, and long-term involvement may suffer.
Church leaders today carry the sacred responsibility of maintaining openness and hospitality while preparing for emergencies that, though unlikely, could be profoundly life-altering.
The Limitations of Traditional Security Tools
For many churches, safety plans still rely heavily on legacy tools such as verbal relay systems or informal communication chains between volunteers and staff. While these tools once represented progress, their limitations become evident during moments of high stress and urgency.
Another study conducted by Lifeway Research reported that 54% of Protestant churches now include armed members as part of their security strategy. This is a clear indication that perceived risk is reshaping how faith communities approach protection. The problem for many is that often they do so without fully integrated systems or coordinated response planning.
In critical situations, seconds matter. Clarity matters. Coordination matters. Traditional tools often create fragmentation precisely when unified communication is most essential.
A Shift Toward Modern Security Notification Systems
Across the nation, many churches are beginning to adopt more advanced approaches to safety with systems designed specifically for rapid communication, precise location awareness, and unified response.
These modern security notification systems represent a thoughtful evolution in church safety. They support:
- Immediate notification to designated responders
- Clear identification of incident type and location
- Coordinated response efforts
- Consistent communication during evolving situations
- Documented incident handling for accountability and learning
This shift reflects a move from reaction to preparedness, from chaos to stewardship.
What Churches Should Consider When Planning for Safety
Key principles to guide safety planning include:
- Simplicity: Systems that are intuitive under stress
- Speed: Immediate communication capabilities
- Clarity: Precise and actionable information
- Coordination: Unified response structure
- Stewardship: Respect for the sanctity of worship
Effective church safety does not resemble a fortress. Instead, it reflects a prepared sanctuary that is secure, peaceful, and welcoming.
Ministry Thrives When Peace Is Protected
The need for thoughtful preparedness is underscored by national data. According to the Family Research Council, more than 1,300 hostile acts against U.S. churches were recorded between 2018 and 2023, including vandalism, arson, threats, and violent attacks.
While these incidents remain statistically rare compared to overall attendance, their impact on faith communities is profound and lasting. When leadership prepares thoughtfully, worshippers attend with greater confidence and families feel reassured.
A Call to Courageous Stewardship
Church leaders now stand at a sacred crossroads of preserving the traditions of worship while embracing the tools necessary for modern protection. Proactive safety planning communicates love in action. It silently affirms to every congregant: “You are valued. Your life matters. Your worship here is protected.”
The modern church does not choose between faith and safety. It embraces both. Through prayerful preparation, thoughtful leadership, and wise integration of modern security approaches, congregations can remain sanctuaries in every sense of the word.
Mike Robison is the founder of Eyes on Alert, innovative technology to keep churches and their congregations safe, www.eyesonalert.com.
