Resources to aid in ensuring the safety and security of your church.
We want our doors to be open to welcome all who wish to worship and deepen their relationship with God. We also want our churches to be safe spaces where we can gather with friends and family.
Paying attention to security of our buildings and events enables us to carry out God’s mission of providing that safe welcome to everyone.
The resources on this page will help congregations and their leaders to learn about and implement best practices for safety and security that fit their particular context and needs.
We offer seminars periodically and are always available to answer questions and assist clergy and other congregational leaders as they think through these issues.
Contact Canon Lynn Farlin, lfarlin@diosova.org or 757-213-3377, for more information.
Safety and Insurance Handbook for Churches - published by Church Insurance Companies
Bishops United Against Gun Violence - network of Episcopal Church bishops
Safety for Faith-Based Events and Houses of Worship - resources from the Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) Initiative (NSI)
Virginia Fusion Center VFC Shield Program - FaithAware
VFC Shield Church Safety Handout Packet
Suspicious Activity Recognition and Reports - a program presented by the Church Security Institute. The program discussed the need to be alert, to Deter, Detect, Delay, Defend from Danger. The speaker was Lt. Austin White from the Fusion Center, Virginia State Police, a professional faith-based crime prevention presenter and trainer.
Click here for the video (note the volume is very low).
Click here for the slides from the program.
Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) - resources and training
Mitigating Attacks on Houses of Worship Security Guide
The Power of Hello Guide
More resources can be found here
For more information you can also contact:
Your local authorities. In many places, police will meet with you and do a site review. That way, you can determine where you might need to focus your attention and make changes. This also helps build the idea of safety being collaborative.
For a review of your insurance coverages for property and liability contact Linda Knowlton, VP Client Services, Church Insurance Agency Corp., lknowlton@cpg.org.
