Think About it -- EXPERIENCE IS...

Since the dawn of time there has been a roaring lion seeking to destroy good. He used to prowl like a shadow in the dark, but his attacks are now openly displayed every day. As the moral compass in America lost its own north, he crept into our sanctuaries. By the end of the 20th century, we were seeing too many violent attacks on concentrated defenseless groups to ignore it anymore. Lives have been taken and lives have been shattered by the immoral decay of the nation turned into violence in our most sacred places. Responsible defenders across America were compelled to do something about it. As the pages turned from the 20th to the 21st century, we began to hear the term, church security. At first, church security seemed a contradiction of terms to some. Enduring ridicule, lectures on passiveness, misrepresentation of scriptures (“turn the other cheek”) and cute little comments (“who would Jesus shoot”?), defenders continue to improve readiness. That endeavor is often met by arrogant mindsets that everything is fine; no need for any additional programs. Safety and security is essential. Intentional security is now accepted by most faith-based leaders in the country. But something is missing. As disparate efforts develop across the U.S., there are no standards, little agreement on what those standards should look like and even if they are needed. Of 350,00 – 400,000 congregations in the U.S., some growing percentage are recognizing the importance of intentional readiness and developing security programs. That is often done from scratch, led by one person or a handful of folks with different levels of personal experience, expertise or excitement. Think About it The Faith Based Security Network is dedicated to the safety and security of faith-based organizations by being an organized national network of the security operators and law enforcement professionals serving those organizations. Members come together in forum groups, on-line discussion events and subject matter presentations to learn from each other. It is not a group following any one or small assembly of opinions. It is a connected association, using collective acumen to get better at protection. If you are one of those responsible defenders working to keep your church or ministry safe, please get connected. Go to https://www.fbsnamerica.com/join-the-membership today to learn more about membership. We are better together, and we need you.

By Shanna Honeycutt, Information Analyst for the FBSN "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10 "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13 I have always known I could take chances and do hard things. That confidence didn't come from believing I would never fail. It came from knowing that when I failed—or when I reached the end of my own abilities—I would not be alone. My dad, Carl Chinn, followed God's example as a father. He gave me confidence not through big speeches, intimidating displays of toughness, or attempts to prove his strength. Instead, he demonstrated strength through compassion, unwavering love, reliability, sincerity, and the courage to do the right thing for the right reasons. That same heart led him to begin the Faith Based Security Network. In God's sovereignty, He gave my father a front-row seat to the very real and growing dangers facing churches and ministries across America. Rather than looking away, he faithfully built what needed to be built to help protect houses of worship and the people they serve. What has grown from that effort is remarkable. The FBSN has attracted an incredible group of men and women—people with impressive careers and accomplishments, but whose greatest priorities remain their faith, their families, and their churches. They are people committed to protecting those who cannot protect themselves. As David Dixon, another respected leader in the FBSN and father/grandfather to many, often reminds us, our goal is to ensure that churches remain places of freedom and sanctuaries where the Gospel of Jesus Christ can be proclaimed week after week. Dad, thank you for following God's example and passing on a legacy that I am deeply proud of. Thank you to the leadership of the FBSN who model these same values for your families and communities. And thank you to the members of the FBSN who are cut from the same cloth. I could not be more grateful to be part of this organization. Happy Father's Day.