Safety Measures in the Church: Trust God or Take Precautions?

Does the church really need the following?

background checks – screening, check-in and out, incident reports, lockdown plans, evacuation plans, transportation safety policies, financial safeguards, classroom policies, emergency preparedness, first aid procedures, rest room policies, liability insurance, etc.

Don’t all these safety precautions display a lack of trust in God’s ability to protect?

Commonsense tells us that if we take precautions in our homes, workplaces, and vehicles that we should also secure the house of worship.  It doesn’t make sense to park our brain at the door when we enter the church building.

But, let’s not rely on commonsense.  Let’s look to God’s Word.  Isn’t it possible, and even biblical, to trust God and take precautions?  Before you make a judgment, consider verses like Proverbs 3:5-6.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

“ALL your ways” would include seeking after Him in both proactive and reactive measures to safety.  Taking safety precautions does not have to mean we are leaving God out of the issue.

Here are some questions to take into consideration:

1. What does it mean to be a steward of that which is entrusted to you?

We have an accountability to God to not only faithfully use what God has given us to His glory but also in how we treat one another.  (1 Pet. 5:1-4; Titus 1:7)

2. In what areas of life does God expect and encourage us to exercise wisdom and discernment?

When Jesus sent His disciples out into ministry He said, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd (wise) as snakes and as innocent as doves” (Matt. 10:16).  Naivety and Christianity are not synonymous.

3. What would Jesus do or say about this?

Matthew 4 records Satan suggesting that it was okay for Jesus to put Himself in physical jeopardy because God would protect Him.  Jesus replies, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

4. What are church leadership’s responsibilities in shepherding the flock?

One of responsibilities of a shepherd is to protect or guard the flock.  (Acts 20:28-30; 2 Tim. 1:14)

5. How high of a standard should the church hold to?

1 Thessalonians 5:22 commands us to “avoid every kind of evil.”

6. How do we show people that we truly love them?

According to 1 Corinthians 13:7, love “always protects.”

7. How far should we take the protection?

In the church we must not only look out for physical safety but also spiritual safety “for our struggle is not against flesh and blood” (Eph. 6:12-13).  If we were to look at all the body life and one another passages of Scripture, as well as verses pertaining to how we are made in the image of God, we would also have to conclude that safety must extend to the emotional, mental, and social realms as well as spiritual and physical safety.

The Classroom Safety Issues Worksheet helps teachers take a holistic approach to safety.

Yes, trust in the Lord to protect but also do all of the above.  We must follow the whole of Scripture.