Once again the Christmas Holidays are upon us. It seems that it was only a few days ago that I purchased gifts for my wife and children. Oh how the time flies, and now it’s that time of year once again when bids me farewell, and making its way to the nearest Walmart, Target, or toy store.
We may criticize all of the commercialism associated with Christmas, but the truth is, if we omit the importance of gifts, it would put a dent in Christmas. The giving of gifts is an essential part of Christmas. It’s part of what makes Christmas what it is. Besides, everybody wants to receive gifts at Christmas, be they old or young.
And just as gifts play an integral role in the holidays, they also serve a distinct purpose in the church. The successful church is not only the one where Jesus is Lord, but also where his children are encouraged to exercise their gifts.
Every child of God has been given a gift, and to stifle that gift would be harmful, not only to the one who has a particular gift, but to those who can benefit by that person’s gift.
1 Corinthians 12 makes it clear that the gifts are given to the saints “for the common good.” By that, Paul means that the gift we have, when exercised, is for the good of others.
And that’s exactly where the protectors of the flock come into play. Those who involve themselves in matters of church security do so BECAUSE THAT’S THEIR GIFT.
The scripture supports this. In 1 Corinthians 12:28 Paul listed one of the gifts as “helps.” And that is precisely what you are doing when you commit yourself to the protection of the flock: you are HELPING everyone stay safe. And you are doing so because GOD HIMSELF has placed that “gift” in you. And you do not need to ever apologize for this.
We constantly hear from church security-minded people that they do not have the pastoral support for what they want to do to keep the congregation safe. Some have even been told that there will no “security force” at the church. Many pastors, we have learned, fear the effect it would have on their members.
But there’s another issue at stake. If your staff leaders prohibit any means of security, they are not only failing to protect the flock, but also refusing to acknowledge those who have the gift of “helps.”
No church can function the way it’s supposed to if the gifts in the members are not recognized and allowed to flow. We recognize, and utilize, those who have the gift of teaching, do we not? Why would we not acknowledge those who have the gift of “helps” (the gift that your protectors have been given by God)?
Pastor, the members of your church who are concerned about safety, and who are willing to protect the flock, are doing so because they have the “gift of helps.” What they need from you is is for you to allow them to fulfill their God-given calling (just as you have asked them to to believe in your gift).
Dear Pastor, church administrator, worship leader, leaders of the church: if the church you serve refused to acknowledge your gift and calling, you would most likely be offended. You do what you do because God called you, and you want others to recognize that.
And that principle is no different in the hearts of those who want to keep YOUR flock safe. They, too, have a CALLING. It is the calling to prevent people from being victimized by violence.
I encourage you to recognize their GIFT, thank them for it, and then do for them what you want them to do for you: support them.
I once asked a young minister what he intended to do if a shooter entered the church. I was shocked by his response: “That’s not my problem.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
DID YOU KNOW … in 2017 we set a “new record” for the number of violent deaths on church and faith-based property -114.
Pastor, if your church is the victim of a tragedy, you will spend the rest of your time there picking up the pieces. Your vision for the church will, more than likely, be sidelined for quite some time. I have witnessed this time and time again.
I plead with you: acknowledge the gift of “helps” that has been given to certain members of your flock. These men and women are willing to give their lives for your flock. They are the “Priscillas and Aquilas” of your flock, who, Paul tells us, “risked their lives” for him (Romans 16:3).
When you allow the protectors to fulfill their “calling,” you not only free them to operate in their gift, but you also show the flock that you love them! 1 Corinthians 13:7 - the “love chapter” - confirms this: “…love…always protects…”
Finally, you should probably consider God’s attitude toward unjustified and senseless violence. His “feelings” toward this matter are quite strong, as indicated in Psalms 11:5 - “…the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion.”
If our Father feels this way toward unlawful violence, perhaps we should do our best to prevent it.
“DO YOU EVER THINK OF GOD AS SOMEONE WHO “HATES?”
”The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion.” (Psalm 11:5)”
WE KNEW THIS WAS COMING: A man who was shot in a house of worship is suing them. According to the Los Angeles Times, the victim says the house of worship “did not have proper security despite a rise” in such attacks. Furthermore, he accuses the house of worship of not using a $150,000 grant they had received to upgrade security purposes. I (Jimmy Meeks) have said on several occasions that such lawsuits are going to increase due to the trend of attacks at houses of worship. The argument will be that the church should have known the necessity of having security measures in place because of all the attacks that have occurred. Read Story
This is the Rev. Allen Henderson. He was pastor of a church in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He was also a longtime chaplain to first responders. HE WAS BEATEN TO DEATH WHILE AT HIS CHURCH this past October (2019). Read Story
