Churches can enjoy big benefits from having a security plan, whether they’re a small congregation, a megachurch, or even an entire diocese. Security plans can help prevent malicious acts like theft, risks to life like active shooter events, and even internal threats such as embezzlement.

In this article, we’ll talk about:

• What a church security plan is and why they’re necessary
• Common threats churches face
• Key components of a church security plan
• Church security plan examples
• How to build a church security plan
• Best practices in church security training
• Your church security checklist for 2025

Let’s start by explaining what a church security plan is.

What is a church security plan?

A church security plan is a comprehensive strategy designed to protect the congregation, staff, and property from potential risks or threats. It defines how a church will react to any incident or threat.

Effective plans outline procedures, resources, and key responsibilities that help ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved in the church's operations and activities. Well-tailored plans also grow and change along with the church’s ever-evolving needs.

Threats to houses of worship

Churches may face various crises of different sizes, with some even seeing an uptick in attacks.

Taking a proactive approach is the best way to maintain safety — and although not every threat is that serious, it’s a good idea to consider all possible dangers when creating your plan.

Here are some of the risks to pay attention to:

• Active shooters: Although this threat is not common, churches must remain vigilant and create plans in case they do happen, such as in the case of the Sutherland Springs tragedy that occurred in November 2017.

• Other violence: Churches and churchgoers may sometimes be the target of other kinds of violence, such as assault or physical altercations between churchgoers.

• Theft: Houses of worship can sometimes have expensive items, such as artwork and sacred vessels, that need protection from theft. It’s also important to protect churchgoers from carpark smash-and-grab thefts and the like.

• Vandalism: Some churches may encounter vandals that can deface or damage the church’s property. A well-made security plan can help keep eyes on the property to prevent this from happening.

• Arson: Churches are not immune from the threat of arson and must protect themselves from the possibility of such malicious acts.

• Car accidents: Churchgoers may experience car accidents in the church parking lot, or when driving nearby. Having a plan for when this happens can help ensure the health and safety of all involved.

• Medical emergencies: The clergy, staff, or churchgoers may suffer medical emergencies or injuries that require rapid response. Being prepared for such incidents may save lives.

• Natural disasters: Having protocols in place for handling natural disasters such as inclement weather or earthquakes may help prevent the loss of life.

Key components of an effective church security plan

Building and implementing a church security plan involves addressing critical areas that ensure the safety not only of the congregants but also of the staff and the property. 

Let’s look at the essential elements required to build a strong church security framework:

1. Risk assessment

If you build your security plan without first knowing your church’s unique challenges and needs, there’s a good chance your plan won’t be very effective. That’s why it’s so important to assess the particular risks your church might face within its location and demographic.

The first thing you can do is to look through your church’s history to see whether there have been past incidents that you need to be aware of. You can also get in touch with local law enforcement and ask them which crimes commonly occur within your area.

You can also assess your risks by doing the following:

• Review common and specific threats faced by churches, including vandalism, theft, medical emergencies, and active shooter scenarios
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• Evaluate possible vulnerabilities in your church’s facilities, such as unsecured entrances, poorly lit areas, and inadequate surveillance.
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• Analyze the operational risks tied to large gatherings, special events, or off-site activities involving congregation members.

Remember that risk assessments aren’t one-time events — complacency can lead to trouble! It’s a good idea to review your risk assessment documents at least once a year. You may also want to initiate a review whenever your church’s needs grow and evolve.

2. Building a security team

It’s a good idea to build a church security team, as each part of the team plays a crucial role in keeping everything safe and secure. And because this team can sometimes include members of the congregation, it becomes easier to maintain a welcoming environment.

Remember to recruit and consider recruiting from within the congregation when putting your team together. Hiring team members with varying skills can help you cover all your bases, from physical security to conflict resolution, and even the use of technology.

Hire security personnel with relevant experience and certifications. Then, assemble a team with diverse expertise, such as doctors or medics, law enforcement, educators or counselors, and technical professionals.

You can also accept volunteers who may not have the specific skills you are looking for but demonstrate a willingness to learn.

Once you have assembled your team, it’s a good idea to:

• Conduct background checks: Ensure that each candidate has no criminal history that prevents them from performing their role reliably.
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• Outline members’ roles and responsibilities: Determine team leaders, medical responders, and communication coordinators. State their roles clearly.
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• Provide proper orientation for volunteers: Discuss the church’s vision, mission, and purpose with the volunteers and make sure to show them policy and procedures.
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• Conduct regular meetings: Use these meetings to determine and adjust plans and protocols like medical emergency responses, disaster responses, evacuations, lockdowns, and contingencies.

There are other things to consider when putting together your team, such as having a liaison to coordinate with law enforcement or security dispatchers. This responsibility can be assigned to a member of your established security team.

3. Policies & procedures

Establishing tailored policies and procedures is the cornerstone of an effective church security strategy. These guidelines provide a framework for responding to emergencies, maintaining a safe environment, and making sure that all team members act consistently.

When developing policies and procedures, you must:

• Develop child safety policies: Create a ruleset for all child-facing staff and volunteers. Ensure that all personnel handling children have gone through the appropriate background checks.
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• Develop clear emergency protocols: Create procedures for evacuations, lockdowns, and medical responses.
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• Reporting: Establish a system for documenting incidents and updating protocols.
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• Communicate: Discuss these policies with the security team, staff, and volunteers.

Communicate these policies effectively by creating handbooks and reference materials. Distribute these physically and digitally to the relevant persons so that they can reference the information conveniently when necessary.

Once you have defined policies and procedures, you can share security information with your congregation. Teach churchgoers about general safety procedures, such as evacuation routes, reporting policies, and lockdown procedures.

Establishing child safety policies

Children are some of the most vulnerable members of any church’s congregation. Thus, any good security plan will include measures to make sure children remain safe at all times. Here’s what you can do to protect children at your church: 

• Perform background checks: Conduct background checks on childcare volunteers to ensure they do not have a criminal history.
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• Watch: Install surveillance cameras in areas like daycare centers and Sunday schools.
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• Get informed: Collect information on children’s medical conditions, medications, allergies, and physical and mental limitations, and gather the relevant emergency contact information from parents or guardians.
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• Tighten access control: Implement access control policies and solutions in children-designated areas.

4. Physical security measures

As you create your plan, it’s important not to skip the critical step of implementing physical security measures to protect church facilities, ensure the safety of congregants, and deter potential threats. 

These measures should be designed thoughtfully to balance security with the welcoming environment that churches strive to maintain.

Here are some of the physical security measures you can implement at your church:

• Access control systems: Keycard or code systems can limit access to restricted areas. Requiring guests to sign visitor logs and wear ID badges during events and weekend activities can help you keep an eye on who is in the facilities.

• Surveillance cameras: Install cameras at strategic locations, including main entrances, parking lots, hallways, and childcare areas. 

• Surveillance lighting: Ensure all entrances, walkways, and parking areas are well-lit to deter suspicious activity (you can use motion-activated lights for energy efficiency).

• Alarm systems: Install alarm systems to detect unauthorized entry or break-ins during off-hours. Choose systems that integrate with local law enforcement or private security monitoring for rapid response. Consider panic buttons in key locations.

• Security guards: You can hire security guards and post them at key locations or have them patrol the property at regular intervals. Use security guard software to help manage personnel.

If you don’t know where to begin, start with budget-friendly measures such as reinforcing locks, adding motion-sensor lighting, and installing visible cameras to deter threats.

Prioritize security upgrades by focusing on high-risk areas like entrances, parking lots, and childcare zones. Gradually implement advanced systems like access controls and alarms as funds allow. 

Don’t forget to explore grants, donations, and community fundraising to support these enhancements while balancing costs with the greatest security needs.

5. Emergency response planning

Churches are places of worship, fellowship, and community, but they are not immune to emergencies. It’s essential to develop a comprehensive emergency response plan to ensure safety and reduce confusion during critical situations. 

A well-prepared plan equips the church to respond effectively to scenarios such as fires, severe weather, or active threats. Here are some steps you can take to plan for emergencies:

A. Develop scripts and protocols

Create detailed scripts and step-by-step protocols for various emergencies. These should include clear instructions tailored to different scenarios, such as:

• Fires: Establish evacuation routes, assign evacuation leaders, and designate safe assembly points outside the building.

• Severe weather: Identify shelter areas within the church, such as basements or interior rooms, and communicate procedures for moving people to safety.

• Active threats: Develop lockdown procedures, identify secure rooms, and train team members in threat de-escalation and active shooter response techniques.

Ensure these protocols address unique needs, such as assisting individuals with disabilities or children in Sunday school or daycare areas.

B. Train staff and volunteers

It’s a good idea to conduct initial and periodic training sessions to familiarize staff and volunteers with the emergency response plan. Provide scenario-based training to simulate real-life challenges, such as evacuating crowded spaces or coordinating during power outages.

Include training on communication tools, such as radios or intercoms, and ensure all team members know their specific roles.

C. Regularly test your plan

It’s not enough to have a plan — the plan should be tried and tested regularly. Schedule drills for various scenarios to test how effective your plan is and identify any potential gaps it may have. Here are some drill examples:

• Fire drill: Practice evacuating the sanctuary, parking lot, and childcare areas simultaneously to ensure smooth coordination.
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• Severe weather drill: Simulate moving congregants to designated shelter areas, timing the process to identify delays.
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• Active threat drill: Conduct lockdown exercises, including securing doors, managing movement, and communicating updates.

You can do a debrief after each drill to discuss lessons learned and update protocols as needed.

6. Train your team members

When you have established your protocols and policies, you can then start training your security team members. Keep in mind that not all your team members are security experts, and plan accordingly.

Here are some things you can do to ensure that your team members are always ready:

• Meet regularly: Conduct regular meetings and use this time to review each member’s grasp on the policies and procedures you have established.
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• Strengthen weak points: Identify your team’s weak points and determine solutions that can help you build on them.
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• Get help from professionals: Invite law enforcement and fire safety officers to give talks or training to your team.
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• Do drills: Practice scenarios and perform drills to ensure emergency response procedures go off without a hitch.

As you conduct your training and practice scenarios and drills, you can start getting a better idea of whether your team members can handle their roles reliably. Adjust your team members as needed and shift people into different roles if other responsibilities suit them better.

7. Get feedback from professionals

Security plans should grow and evolve alongside your church’s unique needs. Because of this, you never really stop working on your plan. 

However, once you have something you’re happy with, you can get feedback from security and law enforcement professionals to identify gaps and beef them up where needed.

How to build a church security plan: a step-by-step guide

Are you ready to build your church security plan? Follow the guide below to help you take stock of what’s important:

Step 1: Conduct a security audit

Take a look at the current state of your church’s security strategy and do your risk assessment. Then:

• Identify strengths: Think of what you’re doing right and think of how you can build your plan around it. Decide whether you can include any existing strategies in your new plan.
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• Determine threats: Review your church’s history and ask local law enforcement about common criminal threats in your area.
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• Identify gaps in the security plan: Audit your church’s security policies and physical security measures to identify gaps and determine what you need to implement or upgrade, e.g. installing or upgrading camera systems, door access control systems, etc.
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• Consult with law enforcement or security pros: If you’d like professional input, you can ask law enforcement or security professionals for advice on how you can create a more well-rounded security plan.

Step 2: Create a security committee

No church security plan is complete without a team to make it work. Create your security committee by:

• Recruiting clergy, staff, and volunteers from within your congregation.
• Hiring security professionals.
• Assigning roles for team members based on their skills and expertise.

Consider selecting committee members with diverse skills and expertise. For example, include someone with medical knowledge and experience to help with the medical emergency procedures and policies.

Step 3: Implement security measures

Security measures involve more than just policies and procedures. They also include physical security tools that help keep people and property safe. Here are some things to consider:

• Invest in tools like door access control systems.
• Install alarm systems if your church property has items of high value.
• Add surveillance cameras, especially in designated areas for children.
• Designate safe zones and clear evacuation routes.

Step 4: Train and educate staff and volunteers

The best-laid plans go to waste if your staff and volunteers don’t actually know what to do when emergencies and incidents occur. Regular training is important to ensure that staff and volunteers can perform their responsibilities reliably and without panic. 

Make sure to:

• Schedule regular church security training sessions, including drills for active shooter scenarios, evacuations, and medical emergencies.
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• Educate congregants on personal safety measures and emergency protocols. Inform them on who to contact in case of emergencies.

Step 5: Regularly review and update the plan

Your security plan needs to be able to grow and evolve alongside your church’s unique needs. Conduct annual risk assessments and regularly update your plan to stay ready for anything that may come.

Remember to update your plan after major events or changes in the congregation’s size or activities.

2025 church security plan examples

If you need a little extra guidance on creating a church security plan for your congregation, we can help. Remember that your security plan should be a regularly updated document, adjusted according to your regular risk assessments.

Below, we’ve included example plans for a small church and a larger one:

Small church security plan example

Small churches generally have fewer than 100 regular attendees, though they can have as many as 200. Smaller congregations are often close-knit and have family-like atmospheres where the members and leadership know each other more closely. 

Staffing in small churches is often minimal, with volunteers playing a major role in day-to-day operations. Church facilities also tend to be modest and resources are often limited, focusing on basic programs and services.

When creating your security plan for a small church, focus on:

• Establish a security budget: Allocate funds for essentials like cameras ($1,500–$5,000), first aid kits ($50–$200), and training ($200–$500). Seek grants or donations to cover additional costs.
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• Build a trusted team: Select 3–5 reliable volunteers, screen them for calmness and discretion, and assign roles like patrols, entrance monitoring, and medical response.
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• Develop emergency procedures: Create clear protocols for fires, medical emergencies, and active shooter threats. Run fire and safety drills every 6 months and assign helpers for mobility-challenged congregants.
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• Improve communication plans: Use two-way radios or mobile phones for team coordination. Set up a congregation-wide alert system via SMS or mobile apps for emergencies.
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• Enhance child safety: Implement check-in/check-out systems for children, conduct background checks on volunteers, and monitor children’s areas with cameras and stationed security.
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• Schedule regular training: Host quarterly team training and annual workshops for congregants, focusing on emergency responses, safety awareness, and conflict de-escalation. Invite law enforcement for expert-led sessions.

Want to see what a specific plan for a small church looks like? Download our small church plan template. 

Large church security plan example 

Large churches have more than 400 attendees, with those exceeding 2,000 often classified as megachurches. They offer a range of programs and services supported by multiple full-time staff, including pastors, administrators, and ministry leaders. 

While the atmosphere may feel less personal due to the larger size, small groups or ministries are often used to build a sense of community. 

Large churches usually have equally large facilities, including areas like auditoriums, classrooms, and recreational zones. They also benefit from greater financial and organizational resources, allowing them to have a bigger budget for security.

When creating your large church security plan, consider:

• Set a realistic budget: Allocate funds for professional security personnel ($30–$50/hour), surveillance equipment ($5,000–$10,000), and emergency supplies ($200–$500 annually). Pursue grants or fundraising for additional resources.
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• Build a structured team: Include a head of security, team leads for key areas, and volunteers or professionals for roles like patrolling, entrance monitoring, and medical response during large events.
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• Establish emergency procedures: Use evacuation maps, PA systems, and designated safe areas for scenarios like fires, active threats, and severe weather. Conduct drills and involve law enforcement for active shooter training.
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• Protect the entrances and exits: Lock all unused doors, use visitor check-ins, and install electronic locks for sensitive areas like offices or finance rooms. Maintain a key log to prevent misuse.
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• Use surveillance and tech: Use high-definition cameras, motion-activated lighting, and alarm systems connected to local law enforcement. Monitor cameras from a central station.
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• Develop a strong communication plan: Equip teams with radios or secure apps, create emergency codes (e.g., "Code Blue" for medical issues), and establish congregation-wide text alert systems for urgent updates.
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• Provide training: Train security teams monthly and host biannual workshops for all staff, focusing on conflict de-escalation, active shooter response, and emergency protocols. Include congregation-wide safety seminars.
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• Strengthen child safety: Require background checks for all child-facing volunteers, use digital check-in systems, and monitor children’s areas with stationed security and cameras.
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• Optimize perimeter security: Assign guards or volunteers to patrol parking lots, use golf carts for larger lots, and set up cones or barricades for traffic management during services.
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• Review and update regularly: Conduct annual risk assessments and update plans based on feedback, incidents, or facility changes. Partner with law enforcement or security consultants for audits.

Want to see what a plan for a larger church looks like? Download our sample large church plan template.

Church security training: best practices

When it comes to training your staff and volunteers on your security strategies, there are a few things that are essential for success. Consider including the following best practices in your training plan:

• Focus on de-escalation and conflict management: Although churches are supposed to be places of peace, you may still sometimes face conflict on the property. Train staff to actively listen, validate concerns, avoid arguments, and use calm non-threatening verbal and body language to defuse the situation. 
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• Train staff to identify suspicious behavior: Teach your staff and volunteers to recognize signs like erratic behavior, inappropriate clothing, or loitering. Use the "See Something, Say Something" approach to encourage reporting. Tell staff to engage politely and escalate to leaders or law enforcement if needed.
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• First aid and CPR certification: Make sure that there is always someone on the property who is trained in first aid, CPR, and AED use. Train other staff on first aid and conduct biannual refresher courses. Consider advanced training like trauma care.
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• Conduct regular drills: Schedule regular practice drills and rotate the training topics (e.g. evacuation, medical emergency, or active shooter). Hold debriefs after drills and incidents to help you refine your policies and procedures.
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• Partner with professionals for specialized training: If you want your staff and volunteers to be trained on specific topics, consider partnering with professionals. This way, you know for sure that the information your team learns is accurate.

Church security checklist for 2025

There are some things that every church security plan should include, though these things can vary depending on your church’s specific needs. Below, we’ve provided a standard church security checklist for 2025. Adjust this list according to your church’s needs.

Your 2025 church security checklist

• Security team:‍

☐ Hire security guards if needed
☐ Create your security committee and include members with diverse skills and expertise

• Access control:

☐ Door locks
☐ Visitor sign-in protocols
☐ Access control systems for sensitive areas

• Emergency preparedness:

☐ Evacuation routes
☐ Fire safety plans
☐ Medical emergency procedures
☐ First aid kits and AEDs

• Communication tools:

☐ Two-way radios
☐ Mobile communication apps aor group messaging systems
☐ Public announcement systems

• Security technology:

☐ Surveillance cameras
☐ Alarm systems
☐ Lighting systems

• Training records: 

☐ Documented security training sessions and drills
☐ Records of licenses and certifications for trained staff

Want to build a personalized checklist to safeguard your church? Download our sample church security checklist.

How Belfry enhances church security plans

Creating your church security plan doesn’t have to be a confusing or overwhelming experience. Taking things step-by-step, consulting with experts, and using security guard software like Belfry can help you create and execute a plan tailored to your needs.

Belfry is an all-in-one platform that helps you select security guards at the right price, simplify your security operations, and keep your security guards efficient. We can help you:

• Simplify scheduling and payroll: Automatically assign guard shifts based on availability and certifications. Then, Belfry makes managing payroll easy
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• Streamline communication: Use direct messaging, SMS, and app notifications to keep guards informed.
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• Enhance compliance management: Stay ahead of license renewals with automated alerts.
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• Improve accountability: Track security guards with GPS-based time tracking and accurate payroll systems.
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• Understand your operations: Get access to reports and performance metrics through a centralized portal.

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