New trend in Apostolic churches???

[Withdrawn]

Honest to God, this is true!

I have first-hand knowledge of an Apostolic church where a pastor appointed a "security committee" with men who have concealed carry licenses and is having them carry their concealed weapons to church with them. This, evidently, in response to recent church shootings.

How do you feel about this?

Would you feel safer knowing this to be true?

Would you feel uneasy knowing this to be true?

Is this a symptom of lack of faith in God to fight our battles?

Would you attend a church where you knew this to be the case?

Would this affect you at all or is this just a minor distraction?

Comments please... please don't ask me where this church is or who the pastor is. My goal is not to start trouble for them, but rather to get some different opinions and perspectives.

[*AQuietPlace*]

I don't have a problem with it, as long as it's legal (is it?) and the men are highly trained. I think it's fairly wise with all of the church shootings. A recent church shooting was stopped because there was an armed security guard there.

I've been considering getting a concealed handgun permit myself.

[n david]

Just hope the people carrying the weapons:

A) Know how to shoot in a chaotic crowd
B) Has a good holster in case they start dancin'

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by n david

Just hope the people carrying the weapons:

A) Know how to shoot in a chaotic crowd
B) Has a good holster in case they start dancin'

Unless they are trained to use them in a situation like that, I would prefer not. I think the only ones I would trust are air marshals. They are trained to handle a gun very carefully in a crowded situation on an air plane.

[ManOfWord]

I allow concealed carry @ NLC. I even carry myself at the church at times. I don't carry in the pulpit though. I trust others who carry. We have Law Enforcement officials in most services...at least the 2nd service anyway.

I don't think it is a lack of faith. We are currently working with local law enforcement on a security plan. What to do, what not to do, how, when, why to "lock down" etc. We want to be prepared. There are no guarantees, but we are working within our rights and legal and moral parameters.

I have stated this before here, the LAST thing I would want to do is to take a life by use of deadly force. I would not want to live with that. However, I would rather deal with that having saved a life than have done nothing to preserve it. That is MY opinion and others have theirs and may be differing from mine.

I carry mine on the outside. It is in a holster which looks like a Daytimer pouch which is on my belt. I carry a Keltec 9mm.

[Sept5SavedTeen]

I would say put it up to a church vote... how does the local body feel concerning this course of action. I may be a pacifist and not want weapons around, but should there be a VERY REAL danger, and should it disturb the saints, and enough vote for it, is there any harm in hiring a security guard? I doubt it...

But I would think a spirit of faith and trusting in divine protection is better than trusting in swords...

-Bro. Alex

[Stephanas]

It's a good idea to shoot first, if God is not able to protect His people, and if it is better to send a sinner to Hell than to see a saint sent to Heaven.

With a little cut and paste, "turn the other cheek" can be replaced with "return fire."

Madea would love the concept of "security committees." It's good to bring the "peace-maker" to church.

Here is the link (Embedding is disabled - You'll have to cut and paste). It'll bless your pistol-packing soul.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMM42qO7JS8

[U376977]

I have a buddy who used to handle the transportation for TD Jakes. One of his good buddies in that ministry was the head of Jakes' security. He has a professional security company. There a men around Jakes with guns and they take all the necessary security precautions. It is transparent to all the members, they just look like a any other member, another guy in a suite. Many ministries have had threats that prompt them to have security. If you were to go to almost any big name preacher there would be security. Of course, the depth of training and professionalism would vary.

Perhaps this pastor you refer to has good reason to hire security. My pastors' life was threatened and police were called and they took it very serious. If the man showed up at church who threatened him...we had a plan...believe me we had a plan.

No I don't have a problem with it. And I don't think it is a lack of faith. God could have called down fire from heaven on his enemies every time, but he also allowed people to have victory with a sword in their hand.

[Praxeas]

I was gonna play "Peacemaker" by GreenDay but it has a word that would offend some of us

[Praxeas]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOrgLj9lOwk