Keith Graves of Christian Warrior Training recently wrote an insightful article titled “Why Church Leaders Reject Your Ideas Even When You’re Right.” LINK The article explains why church leadership often overlooks the advice of skilled even professional security volunteers in their congregation. The article is good so far as it goes, making the key point that even Jesus was unable to have an effective ministry in his home town/home church. Mark 6:5 I would like to take that idea a step further.
Many issues facing the church can be traced back to theological roots. Church security is no exception. How a church defines the Christian life and Christian duty will pretty well determine how they choose to define their security program.
Far too many expect their security program to follow the model of their church in general. It all starts with a “decision” (salvation) followed by an outward commitment (baptism) and then participation (often minimal) of some sort (church attendance, serving on committees, attending bible studies, programs, etc.) Measurable, objective standards beyond showing up are minimal. For many, this is the model of the Christian life. In many cases, no mention is ever made either from the pulpit or otherwise about how the convert is to apply their Christianity to their daily lives away from the church and what that may cost. True discipleship and costly commitment may be given lip service in a few churches but is often not a real part of the life of the church.
Given the above, these churches expect their security program to follow the same outline. They want a quick, one and done, easy to sell fix that makes everyone feel better about their church’s security without delving too deep into what is required to make that feeling a reality. Beginning with a revival style meeting that stirs up a lot of emotion, followed by an invitation to “do something” the church may then maybe go home and form a committee or appoint someone to implement that “something.” That “something” is not always well defined and may involve as little as forming the committee, having an occasional meeting or buying “Security” tee shirts for the ushers. There is often a lot of talk, little if any meaningful action and any action that may be taken is often achingly slow. The talk and appearance of “doing something” often makes the church feel safer without accomplishing much. While this management model may work for most church matters (in the short term at least), it usually does not make the church any safer.
In many if not most cases, the security initiative simply dies on the vine after a few weeks or months. In some cases, security definitions and requirements are repeatedly defined downward to accommodate the “revival style” Christian life model to the point that they are ineffective or meaningless. Sadly, many churches that follow this model delude themselves into thinking that they have “done something” about the security of their flock. Unfortunately, security unlike spiritual matters has immediately measurable standards and dire immediate consequences if the team is called upon and those standards are not met.
This is first and foremost a theological problem. Matthew 28:19,20 says: “Therefore go and make DISCIPLES of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” It does not say make easy converts, committee members or pew warmers. It says to make DISCIPLES. This begs the question “what is a disciple.”
The Greek word used here is matheteuo, literally to become a pupil. However this definition alone misses the context. Originally, there were twelve disciples and one of them was an apostate. They each dropped everything and followed Jesus at great cost. All became convicted felons for the faith. Only one of them died a natural death and that after he had been boiled in oil, survived and then sent into exile on a desert island. Historically both in biblical times and to this day, becoming a true disciple of Jesus Christ has been a costly undertaking.
One modern example of a disciple was Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German pastor and theologian who was hung for refusing to cooperate with and openly opposing Nazi authorities. For Bonhoeffer, a disciple is someone who practices "costly grace" through absolute, self-denying obedience to Jesus Christ, involving a complete break from their old life and a new existence of following Christ in the world. This means rejecting "cheap grace," which is the idea of forgiveness without a true commitment, and instead embracing a life of hardship and sacrifice as a fundamental aspect of discipleship. True discipleship is not an abstract belief, but a concrete, personal relationship characterized by humble, unwavering obedience even in the face of suffering.i
An even more modern example is Dr. Francis Schaeffer the American/Swiss theologian and author whose highly intelligent books in the 1970’s and ‘80’s sounded a remarkably pertinent warning of what was coming for Western culture. His followers working out of Switzerland illegally smuggled truck loads of Bibles and Christian books across the borders into Iron Curtain countries while also leading illegal bible studies. The La Abri workers were largely responsible for the Christian revolt in Poland which brought down the entire Iron Curtain. According to Francis Schaeffer, a disciple is a consecrated follower of Christ who applies the Christian faith to all areas of life, demonstrates visible love for other Christians, and is committed to walking with God moment by moment.ii
In short, a disciple is a person who has committed their life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and lives out that lordship in every aspect of their life both within and without the church regardless of the cost. For the disciple there is no bifurcated “Christian life.” It is one life and Jesus is Lord over it all.
The Oklahoma Church Security Association program is built upon a discipleship model. In this one small area of the volunteer’s life and duty and subsequently the operation of their churches we seek to develop discipleship relationships in this area through intensive training and measurable goals and standards.
We choose instructors who actually have something to teach. All are qualified instructors in the real world with real world experience in their area of expertise not just the church. And most of the instructors are also men who have been set aside for leadership and service by their community of faith. Consequently, they have both martial skills to share and spiritual depth to accompany them.
Our program is designed not just to expose the students to the necessary information but to teach it to them in a way that encourages them to apply it both in the church security context and in daily life. Firearms are only a small part of our total program and that training is reserved for those necessary few who qualify for it. The bulk of the program consists of common, practical, everyday life skills which will allow the student to handle life situations both in the church and on the street in a safer, more efficient way. Aside from regular doses of scripture, we teach situational awareness, verbal de-escalation skills, hospitality skills, first aid and first on scene trauma care BEFORE we even begin talking about firearms and tactical skills.
This program cannot be successfully taught on a Saturday morning. It takes several months of meeting one Saturday per month with reading assignments and practice drills in between. And that is where the cost becomes apparent. It takes commitment, dedication and some minor level of sacrifice to complete our program. The students may have to miss a Saturday pancake breakfast or a softball game or two. They will need to read several books. The training may stretch their comfort level. If selected for firearms training they will certainly have to spend time on the range between classes.
There are multiple facets to the life of a disciple and this is only one of them for those who are called to this ministry. Our job at the OCSA is to provide those who are called with the guidance and training they need to both protect their flocks and develop personally and spiritually through the process.
The OCSA program takes one year. The 2026 training year will begin in January. We take no more than 50 people from no more than 10 churches per year. Numerous people have cautioned us or even complained that the OCSA training program is too long and rigorous. They want either a one day preferably a one morning or evening bible study type program that makes everybody feel good and teaches no effective skills or they want firearms training only, usually again one day or morning preferably. This presents something of a dilemma for us since, unlike most civilians, we realize that:
(a) while they are the apex skill, firearms skills represent only a tiny percentage of the total skills package necessary for an effective church security team
(b) the requirements to survive and prevail in an actual armed security event are far more difficult than the typical training and shooting done by most civilians;
(c) in a high stress situation most people lose 80 percent of their training and will operate more or less on instinct and muscle memory meaning that to be effective the training must be regular, intense and develop instinctual performance;
(d) if one of our people is required to use his firearm there will be legal consequences and the first thing the prosecution will examine will be their training and;
(e) the legal standard for use of a firearm is the same for a police officer or a civilian, there is no “that’s good enough for church work” legal exception.
Charles, Johnny and I (the three primary OCSA instructors) all hold state security licenses. Recently, Charles and I shot our annual state firearms re-qualification. The exam was conducted by a law enforcement level certified instructor/examiner in another city. We both scored in the 90’s. A passing score is 72.
Charles and I are both on the high side of 70. We both have significant service connected disabilities. We both have health issues. I can’t speak to how Charles felt during his round other than to say he made it look very easy. He shot the entire uniformed officer qualification in the time it took me to visit the facilities and re-load my magazines. It wasn’t that easy for me, but I dropped my cane, blocked out the pain, sucked it up and concentrated on what had to be done. I’m not writing this to brag. This is a normal part of the job for law enforcement and professional security personnel. It is unique for us only because we teach and practice church security where there usually are no professional standards to speak of.
While firearms skills represent only a tiny percentage of the total skills package necessary for a successful church security program they are the apex skill. Your church security team has to have a few people who if necessary can successfully confront an armed threat. And all of the team has to train together to make effective use of these apex skilled personnel. The OCSA training program takes a year for good reasons. As I have said many times before, we are just not willing to work with people who are not just as interested in:
(a) learning how to spot a problem and prevent it rather than confronting it
(b) learning how to defuse a confrontation if possible without an altercation
(c) learning the medical skills necessary to save a life as well the armed skills to take one.
This takes time and commitment. Most churches have the “kind of people” capable of forming a quality security team. The problem is mental and spiritual, not physical or historical. It just takes time and commitment to develop this skills package both as individuals and as an institution. It’s not rocket science. Most people can do it if they set their mind to it. The military proved this during the draft years. When forced by circumstances most average boys and men can be trained to become warriors.
The only real question for the church is are the individuals and the church corporately willing to make the commitment to keep their flock safe.
The Oklahoma Church Security Association will begin its annual training cycle in January, 2026. Instructors are available for the rest of this year to consult with church leadership about the program. For further information, respond to this email or call Bill Kumpe at 918-381-9792.
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