This past Sunday was my first Sunday at my new church - Miamisburg Christian Church in...Miamisburg, OH. The day started off inauspiciously, practice went decently and despite my microphone not working during the first song of the first service, everything went pretty smoothly. At the end of the first service, someone came forward at the invitation and knelt down at the stage, which I thought was pretty cool, not seeing that happen in a long time (most of the churches I've been at don't really do "come forward during invitation time" parts of the service, and I don't think MCC does much of that as well, but there is always a decision song and stuff).
Then second service started and I broke a string during the second song - which prompted me to try and figure out a way to get a new guitar without any money - when this same person who came forward last service starts walking down the front aisle again. Not during the decision time, but during a song. And all of a sudden, memories of church shootings in Texas, Illinois, Colorado and Alabama start popping in my head. According to my wife, the shooter in Alabama came forward the week before he did the shootings, because he wanted to see how close he could get to the front. So unfortunately I'm thinking all of these things, and at the same time a couple of elders must be thinking the same thing, because they come up to this man as he's kneeling at the front to talk to him a little bit.
We found out that he's a cousin of someone who goes to the church, and he was just needing some prayer and wanted to come forward to kneel and sing, which is pretty neat and all, but it's really got me thinking about what I'm afraid of. As the economy goes down the toilet, and there are more bank robberies and thefts and such, churches are not immune to desperate people who are looking for money. MCC is in the process of putting together a safety and security plan so that we are prepared for what's coming down the pike. In this world, what's the fine line between trust and making sure that complete protection is in place? I don't know, but for one moment on Sunday, I think I crossed the line.
4 comments:
I hate that you had to experience those fears. But that is the world we live in now. It sounds like the elders were aware enough to intervene, that is usually the primary "security" in most congregations: they have leaders on the floor for prayer and counsel. These leaders can act as a line of defense. The real task is training leaders, staff, and volunteers to recognize "warning signs" of a distressed person. It sounds like your group did a good job, but there can always be training and preparation.
Wow...what a way to start!
I'm glad it was a good thing that he came down front.
We had a "mentally unstable" woman at Apex about 6 months ago that came down the aisle and ranted at Rob. It took everyone by surprise. We now have a "security" team...they are trained in first aid as well as what to do in those situations when someone decides to vent. It's sad that we live in a world that you have to fear..it's reality...even in a church.
We also have several church members in law enforcement, and most of them are packing heat on Sundays, so we have that going for us as well...:^)
I just have to say that in Miamisburg...doesn't surprise me at all :)
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