Vigilance: Seminar Part 2

Pastoral/Executive Protection – Brian Gallagher 

A pastor or religious leader is tasked from the Lord to guide his flock. Without his leadership and direction, the flock can quickly drift away in the wind. Taking special consideration for the safety and security of any church leadership is essential to the continuation of the church’s mission. Pastors and speakers draw special attention that others in the congregation don’t. Multiple church shootings have been directed at the person standing on the stage. Some were specific to that person while the others were crimes of proximity. In the event of an emergency, one must know if they should provide shelter in place, move to a hold-room, or evacuate from the premises. These scenarios need to be thought out in advance and training must be provided so the response is immediate and reactionary avoiding confusion and delay. Churches need to evaluate who should receive additional protection and what plans need to be put in place regarding the protection of their families.

Ushers/Greeters/Traffic – Bob Perkins 

Often ushers and greeters are the first to greet many to our churches and faith based schools. They are in a position to see activity in and around our buildings, hallways and parking lots. We hope that we can train these men and women to observe actions of others that may be wanting to do harm. This in addition to welcoming persons with open arms, hearts and displaying the Love of Jesus.

Information Technology Security & Pornography – Trevor Wallis 

This seminar will present practical techniques useful for any ministry organization to protect its data, websites, technology resources, and staff from various technical security threats including hackers, data thieves, technology equipment thieves, malicious insiders, and pornography.

Topics include technology threat analysis for your organization, common hacker techniques, practical solutions for data protection and encryption, strong password utilization, and equipment protection. The seminar will also provide an opportunity to present your technology security questions.Weapons/Use of Force – Jeffrey A. Hawkins In 2009 there were 12 homicides and 38 other violent incidents in Christian churches in the United States. Incidents of rapidly escalating violent confrontations, or “active shooters”, have occurred on a regular basis in Christian churches and ministries. This session will review the dynamics of these situations and the implications of weapons and deadly and non-lethal use-of- force in a Christian organization.

A World on Drugs: The Past, Present, and Future of Mind-Altering Substances – David Roward 

David Roward will provide a historical, comprehensive, practical and biblical view of mind- altering drug use that will surprise and inform the hearer about the darkness and damage of these substances.

Foreign Travel/Mission Trips – Robert Klamser 

Short-term mission trips can be tremendous ministry experiences for both the participants and recipients/hosts. Although there are risks and hazards associated with all missions trips, these risks and hazards can be substantially mitigated with proper planning and preparation. This seminar will cover key risk mitigation actions in these major areas: risk assessment, legal precautions, and contingency/action plans.

Maryville Church Shooting Case Study - Tommy L. Ishmael 

This presentation will cover the events of March 8, 2009 at First Baptist Church of Maryville Il and the murder of Senior Pastor Fred Winters. It begins with a routine early morning Southern Baptist church service and other activities in progress, works through the actual shooting itself (will not disclose issues still in criminal litigation) and concludes with the incident resolution, lessons learned and church recovery from this hostile act.

Ministry Violence Research - Carl Chinn

Carl Chinn began researching for his book regarding concepts for security at faith-based organizations (A Strong Tower) in 1999. Much of that research has been developing an understanding of common ministry incidents, and considering details of those occurrences in ways that security teams can learn from. As a result his website has been credited by many as being the most comprehensive study of “Deadly Force Incidents at Faith-Based Organizations” available. This presentation is an overview of the findings of that data.

Crisis Management Team – Ron Aguiar
Where to start in building a team, who should be members, and what will their responsibilities be before, during and after a crisis. Discussion will include media incidents that will help in shaping your team and its response.

Effective communications for your church or school – Bob Heaton 

What happens when you have a medical emergency at your facility? What if there is a security threat at your school or church. How to coordinate the correct response, both internal and from the appropriate Fire, Law Enforcement, or EMS agency? We will explore what is needed to create and maintain your own dispatch center, whether it is a dedicated staff 24/7 or just a designated person to call 911. Know the information that the 911 dispatchers will be asking for. Listen to real 911 calls. Implement current public safety dispatch and Incident Command concepts into your current operation.

Incident Management – Scott La Rue 

Introduction to Incident Management introduces the Incident Command System (ICS) and provides the foundation for higher level ICS training. This seminar will cover the history, features and principles, and organizational structure of the Incident Command System for emergency and preplanned events. We will make the impossible, possible!

Keeping It Legal – Adam Houghton 

This class is intended to help the student become aware of legal and technical issues surrounding the complex decision to protect their facility from a dynamic, violent and life threatening incident. We will be discussing criminal liability as well as some considerations that must be understood before undertaking higher levels of security. This class will help the student understand why it is increasingly important to consider your church's vulnerability and how to better provide a safe place for people to worship.

Natural Disasters – Roger Mason 

Natural disasters can strike at any time. Are you ready to protect and organize your members before, during, and after a natural disaster? By developing a plan that identifies your strengths and needs you can improve your ability to care for your members, prepares you to assist in your community, and shortens the cycle for recovery.

Legal/Liability Issues – David Middlebrook 

Many churches are conflicted about how to handle potential areas of liability. While your church’s primary goal is the spiritual development of its congregants, such a goal cannot be reached to the exclusion of any focus on risk management. Come listen to David Middlebrook discuss the seven key legal elements upon which your church should be built and why you should implement and follow them.

Policies & Procedures – Raoul L. Williams 

The “team” is in place, all the radios are on the same channel, and the cameras are focused. Now what? How do we accomplish our mission? This pragmatic session will focus the development of policy and procedure. Topics covered include: chain of command, intelligence, deployment, developing and maintaining relationships with other ministries within the church.

Crime Prevention: Protecting the Church’s Assets – William S. Carcara 

The financial assets of a church transcend the actual monetary value of those assets. Offerings by church members represent a tangible trust between the congregation and the church. When those funds are misused, stolen, misappropriated or not utilized for the intended purpose, emotional repercussions frequently occur. This can cause the member’s departure from the church body, ministers and staff being investigated, negative publicity for the church and ultimately a damaged reputation.

Cash management begins with the collection of donations from the congregation and concludes with the funds being used for their intended purpose. The first step in developing a financial security policy is to identify how money should be collected, counted, deposited, reported, and audited. Each phase of this process is equally important since each represents an opportunity for theft or misappropriation.