Fortress or Sanctuary: Responses to Church ShootingsDuring worship last Sunday I opened the floor after the sermon for a conversation about reactions to FBC Sutherland Springs, TX. The responses were honest, moving, and thought-provoking. People shared their anger, sorrow, concern for the surviving people of FBC Sutherland Springs, and their feelings about the prospect of something like that happening to us. Two in our congregation mentioned concern for my safety.
I reminded our congregation that Jesus sent his first followers into the world "as lambs among wolves." God knows there are ferocious people in the world. God knows we are concerned about them. But I told our worshipers that the key is not for the followers of Jesus to grow fangs and claws (and thus become wolves). Our directive from Jesus is to be alert (wise as serpents) and to be people who do not harm, but act as agents of healing.
Jesus did not set Peter loose on the crowd Judas led to seize Jesus in Gethsemane. He told Peter to put his knife away, not to get a bigger one.
In efforts to calm frightened worshippers, we Christ-followers should be sure and do so without altering the basic premises upon which we gather together to worship Jesus. I suggest that churches discussing whether or to what extent steps should be taken to assure the safety of congregants from the risks of shooters consider the following questions:
