Church Safety and Security: A Practical Guide

The church has always been regarded as a safe haven - a spiritual sanctuary where people can come to worship God free from worries about violence or unethical behavior by those involved in church ministry. But our culture is changing, and church leaders can no longer assume that it won't happen in my church. Like the rest of society, churches need to ensure the safety and security of their facility, staff, and worshipers.

This book provides a wealth of practical information on preparing for and responding to the challenges of a dangerous world. Robert Cirtin draws on more than two decades of law enforcement and investigative experience, and with his team of professionals outlines a how-to approach full of specific proactive steps churches can take to protect themselves and reduce the risk of costly lawsuits. Church Safety And Security is a must-have resource for anyone participating in or preparing for church leadership.

Topics covered include:

• Utilizing background screening to protect your congregation.
• Safety and security issues for church-run preschool and day care programs.
• Preparing for and responding to medical emergencies.
• How to deal with issues pertaining to child abuse.
• Legally mandated responsibilities of church staff members.
  
• How to utilize security/surveillance cameras in the church facility.
  
• Organizing a church security officer program.
• Effectively coping with intruders.
• Responding to violent acts when they occur.
• How to conduct a thorough investigation.
  

If you are a pastor, associate pastor, preschool director, church school principal, deacon, elder, vestry person, or denominational leader - read this book, then read it again! Make it required reading for every leader in your church. Protect your congregation, your property, and your reputation in the community by doing all you can do to hire the right employees, to prevent physical and sexual misconduct for which your church may be liable, and to reduce the legal and financial impacts of such misconduct. This book will teach you what to look for, and how to take action today to protect the people God has given you to shepherd.
Tim Duncan
Associate Pastor, Anglican Church of the Resurrection
St. Louis, Missouri

Church Safety and Security: A Practical Guide is a valuable resource. Bob Cirtin has the unusual but important background mixture of service in full-time church ministry as well as being a certified officer of the law and an expert investigator. He has personal experience with every source of danger for the local church and has developed effective safeguards and defenses. His strategies are clear, simple, easy to implement, and will protect any congregation in the event of an unfortunate occurrence. This book is a must for every church office and library!
Terry Raburn
Superintendent, Peninsular Florida District Council
Assemblies of God

What a sacred privilege it is to care for God's people! But while we focus on their spiritual needs, we must not forget their safety needs - especially in our world today. I'm excited to see a book that identifies the real security issues every church faces. We need to implement these proactive steps to ensure a higher level of safety for our flock. And we need to send a reassuring message to those in our communities who want to come.
Chuck Lynch
Pastor of Spiritual Development, Victory Church
Lakeland, Florida

I trust Bob Cirtin. He knows what to do to help keep people safe. I'm glad he's on our side, enabling us to better protect the people God has entrusted to our care.