01/20/2026
Church security can be a daunting task to get started. An even bigger task if there is one loosely formed looking to get organized and legitimate. Churches have concerns ranging from insurance, liabilities, policies and procedures, legalities, training, continued training, incidence reporting, forms creation, logs and records, personal carry insurance, making sure the balance of ministry and protection is welcoming and not a deterrence to visitors, making sure the softer ministries are adequately covered, mandatory reporting issues, and a slew of other concerns.
You can understand why so many decide to just allow some of the congregation to carry and respond. In small towns, this may be a start, but when something kicks off and there is no plan, it is easy to see how this spirals into chaos. No leader, no direction, no understanding, no plan, and no training. It just doesn't work in reality.
There are several local churches with "teams", but they are winging it. There is a leader. They may do training once or twice a year, no written plan, no understanding, no plan. Less chaos, more chance at success.
Very few churches have a solid plan, solid oversight, solid policies and procedures, solid training schedule, and solid leadership that is supported from the board level to the pew.
We don't know what we don't know. If you have a team without real world experience it isn't a deal breaker, it just requires more training and more organization with good leadership. You aren't creating a militia. A security team is still a ministry. We still rely on the Lord to lead and guide. He wouldn't leave his church without the pieces necessary to keep it running and safe. It is just a matter of having the right people, who are called.
Here at SixEight, we have put together a 4 part system. Policies and procedures, a master SOP, board/executive policies, director level procedures, and a volunteer handbook. Each giving the necessary guidance and steps for each level. They get the info they need in a language they can understand with the oversight of the Master SOP and they all tie in seamlessly using the same language. They aren't seperate guides, but complimentary. This system includes on boarding documents, a 25 question test with an answer key. Consent forms, reporting forms, after action report, training schedule, logs and records forms. This is a complete system that can be rolled out, just add the volunteers. It leans very heavy to ministry. That should be the overall goal. That IS our goal!
If you are wanting to get your team started but have no idea where to start, message us! If you have a team and want to get legitimate, message us. If you have a team and feel good about it, but want to see if you can get better, message us.
If you are looking for a carry insurance for your team, definitely give us a call or message us!