Church Congregations Consider use of Armed Guards

From: Columbus Dispatch

At St. John’s Evangelical Protestant Church, leaders take seriously their job of protecting the flock.

Even before the shooting that left more than two dozen dead at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn., in December, surveillance cameras monitored the Downtown church’s grounds, visitors had to be buzzed into offices, and ushers were trained in how best to respond to emergencies.

But the discomfort level rises when the discussion turns to the best way to handle a weapon-bearing intruder, said the Rev. Virginia Lohmann Bauman, senior pastor over the United Church of Christ community of about 350. Like people at many other worship places, St. John’s members don’t feel that armed security guards belong in the sanctuary.

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Fargo Church Comments on Armed Guards in Church

From: Grand Forks Herald

On any given Sunday, a handful of members of the Bethel Evangelical Free Church in Fargo may be wearing a black shirt and an earpiece — much like a federal agent.

They may have an array of medical or law enforcement training — some are retired police officers or military members — who provide security for upwards of 2,000 churchgoers that attend every week.

A select few may even be strapped with a concealed weapon under their Sunday best.

Senior Pastor Matthew St. John said Wednesday the program, known as Gatekeepers, has been very successful since it was implemented four years ago and has been well received by the Fargo Police Department — who has provided some training for the program, he said.

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