Church Security and Situational Awareness

Not Actual Event Footage

Many people have been taught about different Bible stories over the years and I think very few actually take the time to read the Bible and the stories for themselves.  Sometimes you have to read the chapters before and after to get a good understanding about what is going on in the story.  The story of Gideon is just one of those times.  In Judges 6 we see a glimpse of the relationship that God has with Gideon and how much patients God shows Gideon in his doubt.  I think it is Gideon’s respect and honor of God and the angel that is the difference. 

Then we get into Judges 7.  God has called Gideon to gather men up for battle against the Midianites.  We don’t know exactly how many men were gathered at this time but we do know that 22,000 got to go home because they were scared.  God’s looks at the remaining and says “Nope, still too many” in verse 4 and also says to Gideon “I got this one, just get them to the water”. 

---

Ok, this may not be new to any of you but I think this is pretty cool.  Verses 5-6 were not just an exercise on drinking water, but was tactically practical.  This is an example of men that were warriors and were situationally aware and ready.  The ones that lapped stayed on their feet, scooped the water up in their hands and lapped from their hands like a dog.  This puts them in a posture of readiness.  This allows for their eyes to remain up and alert.  They are on their feet ready to move.  Their hands can be ready for battle in a moment.  Where we see the others that got down on their knees to drink from the stream just made themselves easy targets for the enemy.  I love when there are these practical examples that have a biblical basis for us that are called as warriors.

God knew the men who had the right warrior mindset.  The ones that were always aware of their surroundings and ready for battle when called upon.  These were servants to what God would have them do.  They stepped up as servants to the people of Israel, to boldly stand before them and the enemy that kept tormenting them.  Ask yourself some questions:
​

• How are you with your situational awareness?
• How is your awareness in your own spiritual life?
• Are you aware of those attacks that come to take you out?
• Are you serving in your church as a greeter, usher, children or student worker, women’s ministries, office staff, safety team member etc.?
• Do you need help with being situationally aware in order to go before the ministry that God has called for your church to do in your community?
  
  

God has put it in the heart of many men and women to stand up and be situationally aware in order to be that warrior to protect the church and ministries in our country.  Some just need a little guidance on how to do that well and such a way that allows the ministry of the church to do what it is called to do. 

Contact us if you would like us to assess where your church or ministry is in regards to the safety and security of those that work at and visit your church.  There is a variety of training that we can provide and everything is customized to the needs and culture of your church or ministry.