The first step in self-defense is awareness. Likewise, the first line of defensive gear is items which aid our awareness: detection equipment. These range from very simple to extremely sophisticated. There are literally hundreds of detection devices of many types, but not all are feasible for most churches.

Communication is the key to several functions of a Church Safety Team. Team members need to be in touch at all times, whether it is routine business or a dire emergency. Other than face-to-face conversation, we need tools to communicate.

Kris Moloney shares some tips on how to get your church on board with starting a safety ministry.

All jobs have work requirements. We need to know how to do the job. We also need to be properly dressed for the work that is done. Being a part of a Church Safety Ministry is no exception.

In some situations we can see it coming. You are naturally on guard, on the defensive. Other times the signs are not so obvious. Unless you are especially observant, you may be caught unaware. But we can be alert and watchful when dealing with people, positioning ourselves so we can react defensively if the other person does attack.

A special podcast by Sheepdog founder, Kris Moloney, about how to prepare your team for an active shooter occurrence.

The first step in defense is awareness of threats. Basically, it is knowing what is going on. Knowing about threats to the community and the church, we prepare accordingly. For self-defense, situational awareness is closer to us in time and place. This means being aware of your surroundings, who is there, what is happening, and any changes in the situations.

Most churches are prepared to handle minor-to-moderate injuries to one or a few persons. But what if there are substantially more injuries? Or what if the injury or injuries are severe? It’s too easy to think, “It can’t happen here.” It may not have happened to a church in your location, but in each case there was a first time. It is better to be prepared – just in case.

We may be all right doing some First Aid procedures just going by what we’ve seen and what we figure out. But what if this is a more serious injury, such as a third-degree burn or a cut artery? What if the person might have a spinal injury? What if the person has a heart attack? Proper training could make the difference between survival or death, recovery or permanent damage.

We may be all right doing some First Aid procedures just going by what we’ve seen and what we figure out. But what if this is a more serious injury, such as a third-degree burn or a cut artery? What if the person might have a spinal injury? What if the person has a heart attack? Proper training could make the difference between survival or death, recovery or permanent damage.