Think About it --The Value of Unarmed Security
On 8/17, I wrote of a day coming when we should no longer carry a firearm due to aging issues. It struck a nerve with many and prompted this follow up.
I’ve said before that, “a security guard with no weapon is just a live target” (or similar comments).
I was wrong (and right). It takes both. It became obvious in our church shooting. As I ran towards the killer with my weapon drawn that day, I couldn’t understand why the main hallway was so empty. Where were all the children? The interior phase of shooting erupted in the main corridor of our Sunday School.
I only saw one child – a terrified youngster hiding under a counter.
Though the only two intervention capable members on campus (Jeanne Assam and I) were there within seconds, we were too late. 2 lay dying outside.
The fact that no children died in that hallway had nothing to do with either of us. Those hallways were cleared by two unarmed team members who did what they could with no weapons. They had valor, authority and understanding. They used all that to save children’s lives. As bullets zipped past them, they scared those kids out the side hallways.
27 bullet holes in the main corridor walls and not one child hurt inside. Not one.
That was selfless and effective action. Those two men were the real heroes of the day.
There are many ways to serve your team effectively without being intervention capable.
Think of what Samual (who himself transitioned to a new role in his 60’s) was to Saul, then to David. The spiritual advisor. Share your spiritual acumen in confident humility.
Who discovers new threats applicable to your church each week? Nehemiah left us mindful of those who carried swords as they worked. But there was only one he kept near him; the trumpeter.[i]
What about administrative things you might help your security director with? Volunteer scheduling, planning training events, keeping the contact data base current, etc. Not “busy work”; things that must be done.
Think About it
"Every single man in this Army plays a vital role. Don't ever let up. Every man has a job to do and he must do it. Every man is a vital link in the great chain.”
- General George S. Patton, U.S. Army (WW II).
[i] Nehemiah 4:18
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