Should Churches Arm Themselves to Repel Violent Shooters?
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The recent tragedy at a Kentucky church—where a mother and daughter were senselessly killed while serving in the kitchen—has reignited the painful and pressing question: what should churches do to protect their congregations?
Churches are meant to be sanctuaries—places of peace, worship, and refuge. But too often, they’ve become targets. From Texas to Tennessee to Kentucky, we’ve witnessed unimaginable violence inside the very spaces where God is worshipped.
Some argue that the solution is clear: arm trained volunteers, secure the building, and be ready to meet force with force. Others believe this risks turning sanctuaries into strongholds and may unintentionally replace trust in God with trust in weapons.
So where do we draw the line? Is it possible to protect our people while keeping our hearts focused on Christ and our arms open to the hurting? Should security be silent, visible, or both? What does it mean to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves in an age of rising hostility?
Has your church discussed or implemented armed security?
What does faithful protection look like to you?
“They were just serving the Lord,” a friend of the victims said. “They were fixing food. That’s what their ministry was. That’s what they loved to do.”
Infographic
- BBC report on Kentucky church shooting (July 2025):
- CNN coverage of the Lexington, KY Baptist church shooting:
- Family Research Council report on hostility against churches:
- TAL Global: Securing Houses Of Worship In An Era Of Rising Threats:
- The Power of Preparedness: On Holy Ground – America’s Houses of Worship are in the Crosshairs:
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