Standing Ready: Lessons from Recent Church Incidents for Gatekeepers

If you’re a church security Gatekeeper, you know the job is a mix of sacred calling and serious responsibility.  Recent church shooting incidents in Lexington, KY and Wayne, MI remind us all of the sad and alarming reality of the growing prevelance of church-related active shooter incidents.  In the last year alone, active shooter incidents at houses of worship made headlines, reminding us that even sacred spaces aren’t immune to violence. The lesson? Complacency isn’t an option—but neither is running on empty. Here’s how to learn from recent events while keeping your spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical edge sharp.

What We’ve Learned from Recent Incidents

In 2024 and 2025, churches in the U.S., Canada, and abroad faced threats ranging from active shooters to arson and targeted attacks on clergy (Christian Warrior Training) (Catholic News Agency). One thing is clear: attackers often choose moments of perceived safety and routine—like the start of a service or during prayer—when vigilance is lowest.

After-action reports from recent incidents highlight key takeaways:

• Prepared teams act faster and save lives. Churches with trained security teams and clear emergency plans minimized casualties (Sheepdog Church Security).

• Complacency is costly. In several cases, attackers exploited gaps in attention or lapses in basic protocols—unlocked doors, inactive surveillance, or distracted team members (Christian Warrior Training).

• Spiritual composure matters. Survivors who remained calm and prayerful, even under fire, helped lead others to safety and de-escalate panic.

Applying the Lessons: Staying Sharp on All Fronts

1. Spiritual Readiness

Start each shift with prayer—not just for protection, but for wisdom, calm, and discernment. Psalm 91 is a favorite among Gatekeepers: “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.” A regular habit of prayer and scripture meditation keeps your spirit anchored, so you’re less likely to freeze or panic when things go sideways.

2. Mental and Emotional Conditioning

• Scenario Training: Practice your plan. Walk through “what if” scenarios with your team—active shooter, medical emergency, lost child. The more you rehearse, the faster your brain will respond under stress.

• Debrief and Debrief Again: After each shift or drill, talk through what went right and what needs work. Open, honest conversation keeps you humble and aware.

• Emotional Regulation: Fear is normal. What matters is how you channel it. Use short breathing exercises—inhale for four seconds, exhale for six—to calm nerves and keep your head clear. Remember, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

3. Physical Fitness—Your Foundation

Recent tragedies prove that seconds count. Physical readiness—whether sprinting to lock a door or helping someone to safety—makes a difference. Incorporate:

• Cardio training: Aim for 30 minutes most days. Fast walking, jogging, or cycling are simple and effective.

• Strength training: Focus on whole-body movements—squats, pushups, planks. You’re not training for a bodybuilding show, just for real-world usefulness.

• Sleep hygiene: Poor sleep leads to slow reaction times and foggy thinking. Set a consistent bedtime, keep your room cool and dark, avoid screens before sleep, and consider a prayer routine as you wind down (Behavioral Sleep Medicine).

4. Staying Engaged—No “Autopilot” Allowed

• Rotate roles: Switch up your patrols and observation posts. Predictability makes you a target; variety keeps you alert.

• Buddy system: Check in with fellow Gatekeepers throughout your shift. A quick “you good?” keeps everyone present and accountable.

• Stay teachable: The best security teams learn from mistakes—others’ and their own. Attend new trainings, stay current on tactics, and never act like you’ve got it all figured out.

In Closing: The Gatekeeper’s Edge

You don’t have to choose between being a warrior and a worshiper. The best Gatekeepers are both—strong in body, steady in mind, grounded in faith, and open-hearted. Remember: God calls us to be alert, not anxious; prepared, not paranoid. As Jesus said, “Watch and pray…” (Matthew 26:41). So, watch with intention, pray with hope, and serve with courage. Your vigilance is a blessing to your church family—and it just might save a life.

Stay sharp. Stay humble. Stay ready.

The Gatekeeper's Mirror: Understanding Self-Awareness as Your First Line of Defense

In a world where threats to houses of worship have increased by 800% in six years, your most powerful security tool isn't your tactical gear or training—it's your self-awareness. Think of it as your internal radar system, constantly scanning not just your environment, but your own responses to it.

Recent studies show that Gatekeepers with high self-awareness detect potential threats 40% faster than their peers. Why? Because they've learned to recognize their own baseline—their normal patterns of thought, emotion, and physical response. When something disrupts that baseline, they notice immediately.

Consider King David's practice of self-reflection in Psalm 139:23-24: "Search me, God, and know my heart... See if there is any offensive way in me." This ancient wisdom aligns perfectly with modern psychological research on emotional intelligence and threat assessment.

Start with these foundational self-awareness practices:

The Daily Baseline Check:

• Physical: Notice your natural energy levels throughout the day

• Emotional: Track your mood patterns and triggers

• Mental: Monitor your typical thought processes and attention span

• Spiritual: Observe your connection to your faith and calling

Try the "Sacred Pause" technique—three times daily, take 60 seconds to:

1. Notice your breathing pattern

2. Scan your body for tension

3. Name your current emotional state

4. Acknowledge your thoughts without judgment

Research shows that security professionals who practice regular self-assessment experience 45% less decision fatigue and maintain situational awareness significantly longer than those who don't.

Remember Solomon's wisdom: "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it" (Proverbs 4:23). Modern neuroscience confirms this—your internal state directly affects your external awareness and response capabilities.

This isn't just personal development—it's professional enhancement. Understanding your own patterns, triggers, and responses creates a foundation for everything else in your Gatekeeper role.

Start today. Your congregation's safety begins with your self-awareness.