Starting the Conversation: Bringing Congregational Security to the Council Table
In our ongoing 2026 Congregational Security & Preparedness series, we turn to one of the most important—and simplest—steps any congregation can take: start the conversation.
For many congregations, the first step toward better security is not a policy, a training session, or a new piece of equipment. It is simply placing security and preparedness on the agenda for a council or leadership meeting.
Security planning can sometimes feel uncomfortable to discuss in church settings. Congregations are places of welcome and trust, and many leaders hesitate to introduce topics that seem rooted in fear or suspicion. Yet faithful leadership also means caring for the well-being of staff, volunteers, and worshipers. Naming safety and preparedness as part of the congregation’s stewardship helps frame the conversation in a healthy and constructive way.
Security as an expression of care
From a Lutheran perspective, security planning is not about turning churches into fortresses. Instead, it is about loving our neighbors well and creating environments where people can gather, worship, and serve with confidence.
Just as congregations maintain fire extinguishers, develop financial policies, and carry insurance, thoughtful planning for safety is part of the church’s responsibility to care for its people and its ministries.
Beginning the conversation helps congregations move from reactive thinking to thoughtful preparation. It allows leaders to ask simple questions such as:
Do we have an emergency or evacuation plan for our building?
Do ushers and greeters know how to respond if someone appears distressed or threatening?
Do we have contact information for local police, fire, and EMS partners?
Are our entrances, exits, lighting, and parking areas safe and well monitored?
Who would communicate with authorities or the congregation in an emergency?
Often, the answers reveal that congregations already have many good practices in place. The goal is not to create anxiety, but to identify gaps and strengthen what already exists.
How councils can begin
A helpful approach is to dedicate 10–15 minutes of a council meeting to the topic of security and preparedness. Some congregations may choose to form a small task group—often including a council member, staff leader, usher coordinator, or property committee representative—to review resources and report back with recommendations.
As part of that conversation, councils may also discover that their congregation includes members with valuable experience in health care, emergency response, law enforcement, military service, or risk management who can help guide the process.
A resource for the journey
To support these conversations, the Grand Canyon Synod has gathered a range of resources for congregations in one place:
👉 Congregational Security & Preparedness Resources: gcsynod.org/security
This page includes ELCA guidance, insurance and risk-management tools, and federal safety resources that congregations can explore at their own pace.
A faithful next step
Every congregation will approach this work differently depending on its size, context, and facilities. The important thing is not to do everything at once. Instead, begin with conversation, invite thoughtful input, and take manageable steps forward.
When congregations approach security as a ministry of care rather than a response to fear, they strengthen both hospitality and trust. By talking openly about preparedness, councils help ensure that their communities remain places where people can gather in faith, safety, and hope.
In the coming months, this series will continue to highlight practical steps congregations can take—from building relationships with local authorities to reviewing facilities and training volunteers. Each step builds on the same foundation: a simple, faithful conversation about caring for God’s people.
