The tragic events of last weekend in Sutherland Springs, Texas, should be a reminder of the terrible dangers of a sinful world. We already knew it. We didn’t need another shooting to remind us. But now it feels even closer to home because a place of worship was targeted by the violent act of a broken human being.

We can never completely guard ourselves from the harm this world would inflict on us. Jesus told us that we would face troubles in this world (John 16:33), but many of us had no idea those troubles would include the risk of being a victim of a gun crime. And as this type of violence becomes more and more common, the places that are safe from harm are becoming more and more scarce.

Churches are no longer safe havens from the sins of the world.

We can’t eliminate the threat altogether, but we can do something to be ready. After a man with a history of mental instability, with a known criminal record of making threats against police and clergy, showed up at our church wearing a backpack, I began taking seriously our church’s security plan.

As shepherds, we can agree that the safety of people at our public gatherings is one of our most fundamental responsibilities.

Here are some tips to keep your congregation as safe and secure as possible. I’m not speaking from a theoretical point of view. I’ve had real-life experiences that have shaped these ideas. If you take these guidelines to heart, you can at least rest assured that you’ve done all you can to stop the threat of violence at your church door.

1. Have a Plan

Start by preparing a plan. Ask yourself who is the most vulnerable in your congregation, and consider where in the church people are most vulnerable. The first answer is likely your children’s area, and that’s going to receive a lot of focus in your security plan. Protecting our young ones from the world is a top priority for healthy churches.

Take a look at your physical campus. What are the easiest places of entry for an intruder? Check all doors and windows to make sure they aren’t easily accessible by someone who could slip in. This means securing doors in the back of your facility.

It may require you to reroute children through more visible entry points as well. In some cases, you may want to take the extreme precaution of reinforcing your windows to make sure no one can get to the kids.

Next, cover the emergency procedures with all your volunteers. Before you can do that, however, you must have procedures. I wonder how many of our churches have them in place for something like a fire alarm going off? If not, sit down with your team tomorrow, and make it happen!

The safety of people at our public gatherings is one of our most fundamental responsibilities.

Cover what to do in case of a fire, a storm or earthquake, and an intruder. Each plan will be different to suit the needs of your particular facility.

Make sure all your volunteers are up to date on the latest procedures. Designate people in each service to serve on the security team. These individuals should have crisis response training (preferably with firearms training as well). They should know how to watch for abnormal behavior and, when necessary, respond to threats.

Having a plan in case of an emergency is the most important step you can take. Being prepared, no matter what, will save you heartache later.

2. Build a Team

It’s great to have procedures, but you also need people to carry them out. Create multiple levels of security at your facility. That must start with the senior staff and trickle down. You may want to create a volunteer security team. But you should also look into hiring professionals.

Most local police departments will offer the help of their officers, usually at a reduced rate, to help out. That can mean police cars in the parking lot or on the street to help direct traffic, uniformed officers in the building, and even undercover officers in the worship center, just in case.

Your volunteer security team members should be ready for anything. They should have a way to communicate quickly with one another and with any police officers on site. They will need training in detaining violent intruders. Also, make an inventory of those in your church who are trained for emergencies, including retired or active police, firefighters, paramedics and military..

Should trained volunteers be allowed to carry concealed firearms? Church law expert Richard Hammar believes this creates too many legal risks for churches and suggests contracting with local law enforcement instead.

Whatever your church's policy in this matter, make sure that it is consistent with local and state laws about concealed carry, not to mention with basic firearm safety. Also, make sure your volunteers explicitly agree to abide by your policy, and monitor compliance.

3. Be Alert

Be on the lookout for anyone who would do your church harm. It could start with estranged parents of children in the church. Keep your staff informed of any domestic issues among church members or in your community. And let your people know it’s OK to tell you about potential issues. There’s no shame in being safe.

You will also want to look out for anyone who may pose a threat. Don’t make the mistake of thinking all intruders will wear a uniform or look the same way. Get training on the types of characteristics and actions to watch for, from people pacing outside the building to a stranger checking locked doors.

Finally, ask God to give you discernment. I know He is able to do so much more than we can on our own. His Holy Spirit can and will provide you with insights beyond your abilities to ward off dangers.

The bottom line when it comes to safety is that our places of worship are the softest targets. No matter the size of a church, there must be intentionality in keeping people safe. Most churches haven’t thought about it and don’t know what to do. Don’t let that be the case with your church.