When there is an injury or a medical emergency, someone asks, "Is there a doctor in the house?" The situation at hand requires a person trained in responding to Code Blue (injury or medical emergency). Illness and injury does happen, even in places of worship. We need to acknowledge this, be ready for them, and work to make them less likely

We’ve stepped in and defused a potentially explosive situation using verbal de-escalation. As a Church Safety Ministry, we are interested in preventing another incident or making it less likely. We also want to be prepared in case it happens again.

Sometimes, when there is a tense situation threatening to become a major disruption, we hear an official say, “We’re trying to keep things under control.” When we are trying to defuse developing disruption through verbal de-escalation, we intend first to keep it under control, then to stay in control until it comes to a peaceful end.

When stepping into a situation, we are aiming to defuse escalating tensions before they become disruptive. The proven means for doing this is verbal de-escalation. Real-life experiences show that words can be used to cool down heated exchanges. A paraphrase of what Solomon said is, “A calm answer cools anger.”

In a congregation, threat assessment can forecast the potential for disruptive behavior, even violence, by persons in the congregation, persons associated with church members, and known persons in the community. This can be an opportunity for ministry. For some, intervention in the form of personal counseling may be possible and successful. We can’t change the weather, but there is hope for a person at risk.

What leads people to become disruptive? What factors put them at risk? For many years, now, people have been asking those questions after violent incidents. To protect the flock, a Church Safety Ministry needs to know what the threats are and how to recognize them, then how to deal with them.

Knowing that we have perils – earthquakes, floods, and wildfires – how do we protect the flock? Earthquakes come unannounced, but we usually do have some warning of floods and wildfires. In all cases, we need preparation, communication, and coordination.

Major windstorms can be spectacular. Most are awesome, some are beautiful, and many are scary – scary because strong windstorms are damaging and dangerous. For us in Church Safety Ministry, the issue is how we can protect those who come to church. We are also concerned about how to minimize damage to church property.

And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock ... And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house [built on the sand], and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:25, 27)

Winter can be beautiful. Icicles, frost on windows, snow drifts, flocked trees, children and animals at play in the snow. Beautiful, yes, but …Winter can also be a beast. Winter has its hazards, with risks of illness, injury, and death. Winter readiness for churches means being ready to meet the beast in three areas - Structural Stewardship, Safety, and Health.