This isn't a rhetorical question, we are asking this as a poll question on the CSN website for this next quarter.

Some of you reading this may in fact be Pastors, Preachers, Ministers, or Priests and if you are I commend you because I believe you are the exception to the rule. I really don't think we get many Senior Pastors or Church Leaders read this newsletter.

Now I don't have anything to base this on, it is mere speculation on my part. The Christian Security Network doesn't compile information on those people who subscribe to our newsletter, we just ask your name and e-mail address, not occupation.

But my guess is out of the thousands of Christians who receive this newsletter every week, only a small percentage are full-time, active Pastors, which is kind of a shame because Pastors are the ones who really need to hear these messages.

I have said this in the past, but the Christian Security Network receives e-mails from frustrated Christians almost every week, who tell us how they try to talk to their Pastor about church security and emergency planning with little interests or results. They tell us that they are at the point of leaving their church because they feel their Pastor just does not care.

And to add to the frustration we see over and over again, in news reports, Pastors stating "I can't believe this would happen here, at our church", after they experience an incident or tragedy.

A CSN Subscriber wrote me recently that he was not sure what it is going to take to convince Pastors that "it" does happen at churches just like theirs, all over the country, every day. Terrible things that might have been prevented if church leadership were more involved and committed to keeping their church safe and being good stewards of what God has provided.

I know, I know, Pastors are stretched thin and pulled in every direction, and security is not on the top of their priority list. But you know, if they are killed, either in the church or while on a mission trip, things will be a lot worst for those that will continue to serve in their church. And I don't say this by any means in jest. Pastors often want to know why should there be extra security precautions for them and the answer is simply "Because you are head of the church; the Shepherd of the flock. What will your congregation do if you are suddenly gone?"

And if your church is the victim of an arson, and burned down, the priorities you once had chance very quickly. The same goes when one of your own steals church funds. Or worst someone else is hurt or killed.

I guess it is all about priorities and security and emergency planning isn't one of them for most Pastors for whatever reason.

Now, that is not saying that all Pastors turn a blind-eye. In fact I have been to churches around the country where Pastors sit through whole seminars or risk assessments and are very involved and concerned. I hear from Pastors via e-mail or over the phone that tell me of their concerns. I applaud every one of them for their heart for this, but I believe they are the minority.

But I could be wrong. Let me know what you think.

In Christ,
Jeff Hawkins
Executive Director

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