There is information that I wanted to share with you this week, but I was hesitant to write about it, because it is out of the "norm".

A little known event occurred this past week, involving an attempt on a Pastor's life an the safety of the church's Sunday School, which will likely challenge the ability of security in churches to carry weapons.

No, wait a minute, none of this really happened, but did the first few sentences bring you here when you normally don't bother to read these articles?

Most likely it did, because like most people, you don't want to read about all the boring stuff...but if it is about Pastor's being killed, children being put in jeopardy, or especially guns in the church, you want to read about it.

To me this shows a lack of commitment to true security, because security and emergency planning are not just about those things and you should not react just when you hear stories like this.

As brothers and sisters in Christ we are not making progress towards a safer and more secure church, because frankly no one wants to do the boring stuff...but bring up guns, really bad guys and horrific events in the church and everyone wants to read, learn, or hear more about it.

For example, have you voted in our poll this quarter?

Between our newsletter and website we reach about 10,000 people a week, but yet we only have less than 70 people who participated - why?

Gathering data is important to gauging security in our churches, but yet you are not willing to take a few seconds to tell us what you do (and to the 60+ people who did vote, thank you).

Are you committed to security or just a bystander? Are you reactionary or proactive?

The Christian Security Network has offered so many things for free, yet few take advantage and I am constantly asking myself and others, why?

Last week I gave you an option to write in and ask questions - zero response.

Last week we asked you to let us know how you are doing on your mid-year list of things to do - thank you to the two people who answered (and to the church that have 9 out of 10, you rock!).

But what happened to the rest of you?

We have offered free webinars, free seminars, free material over the course of the last three years with almost no response.

Christians are being hurt or killed, in the U.S. and worldwide; many are suffering or can no longer worship because of crimes that are being committed against them. Almost 100 churches are burned down every year in the U.S., almost 50 so far this year, some will never re-open, but yet we can't give away help to show church leaders how to stop many of these crimes.

I know everyone is busy, I am too, but I am committed to helping all of you make your churches safer and more secure - I feel that is what God called me to do, but lately I am asking God is this really what you wanted, because I don't see any movement here?

I know better than anyone else that the battle begins with Satan in a spiritual level (Ephesians 6:12), but I wonder if you are ready for the battle?

If you listen to Contemporary Christian music at all I am sure you are familiar with the group, Casting Crowns.

They have a great new song out called "Courageous"...read the lyrics because I am wondering right now what they are asking:

We were warriors on the front lines
Standing, unafraid
But now we're watchers on the sidelines
While our families slip away

Where are you, men of courage?
You were made for so much more
Let the pounding of hearts cry
We will serve the Lord

(read the entire lyrics at: http://www.elyrics.net/read/c/casting-crowns-lyrics/courageous-lyrics.html)

I am not sure how long the Christian Security Network will be around, we cannot fight this fight alone and we can't fight it with you by the sidelines - what will be your level of commitment?

In Christ,
Jeff Hawkins
Executive Director