PLEASE UNDERSTAND: Our use of the word "Sheepdog" is simply the metaphor we use to describe someone who is concerned for the welfare and safety of others. We are NOT into titles and names - and rarely, if ever, will you hear us refer to ourselves as sheepdogs. We are all about the protection of innocent human life.
Furthermore…we believe that every house of worship has to choose a plan of protection that best suits their needs. Some houses of worship make use of armed security, while others do not prefer any type of armed security. That is totally up to each house of worship. We support all churches, regardless of what type of security they choose. Our sincere desire is to help.
And we are BIG BELIEVERS in learning how to Verbally Deescalate. If you intend to have a team that serves as the “protectors,” having them improve their verbal deescalation skills is a must. If the use of force can be avoided, by all means, DO IT!
Wolves, Sheep, and Sheepdogs?
It has been said that there are 3 kinds of people in the world...
...wolves, sheep, and sheepdogs. Most people are sheep - and there's nothing wrong with that. They love peace and quiet, and they are not likely to rise to the occasion should violence strike.
Another kind of person is a wolf. Wolves can be vicious. They will attack a person just because they want their wallet, or choose to rape their daughter. They are evil.
Fortunately, there is a third kind of person in the world: Sheepdogs. Sheepdogs love peace, too. However, they are aware that there is evil in the world. They know the wolves prowl about. They do not crave violence, and wish the world was free of its wars and riots. But they know that heaven with its glory has not yet arrived. And until it does, the sheepdog will take his/her stand against violent people (wolves).
When we refer to a "Sheepdog Seminar for Churches," we are appealing to churches to form Eyes and Ears Teams at their houses of worship: men and women (sheepdogs) whose assignment on that particular day is to watch out for anyone and anything that threatens the safety of the congregation.
James McDaniel
Kenneth Truitt
These Two Men
The two men in the photos above are Kenneth Truitt and James "Red" McDaniel. These men were sheepdogs. Both men were at First Baptist Church in Daingerfield, Texas on Sunday morning, June 22, 1980. During the morning worship, a lone gunman entered the sanctuary and after shouting "This is War," he began to fire upon the more than 350 worshipers.
Both men drove the shooter out of the church - and both men were killed while doing so.
An award-winning docudrama has been produced about this shooting. Go to HeartStone Pictures to learn more. Watch the trailer here:
Faith Under Fire is the true story of a gunman entering a house of worship and committing mass murder in East Texas in 1980. Survivors share their journey from the pit of heartbreak and despair to restoration. They share about the shock to their faith, pain of loss, forgiveness, revenge and the struggle to heal. In an unforgettable encounter, the killer's daughter meets the mother of the murdered child for the first time. She also shares the motives behind the murderous act. Winner of numerous awards including the coveted Cine Golden Eagle Award.
