An Open Door, But a Watchful Eye: Violence in America's Churches

Churches have long been known as places of refuge and peace. From people seeking political and religious asylum, to the oppressed seeking the peace of a sanctuary. And those who are mentally, physically and emotionally drained often seek the peace, unconditional love and encouragement of the church. Whether we go to pray, hear God, worship, or silently reflect and meditate, churches have often provided peace in the midst of our chaotic world. But the stillness of the sanctuary has been peppered with gunfire more than once in recent months.

Sunday's fatal shooting in a Knoxville Unitarian Church is the fourth time in 15 months that an American church became the scene of a fatal shooting! Is anyone else a little concerned about this? According to CNN:

In December 2007, a 24-year-old former missionary candidate killed two people at a suburban Denver, Colorado, missionary training center and two more at a Colorado Springs megachurch the following day. The gunman, Matthew Murray, killed himself after being shot by a security guard.

The previous August, police said, 52-year-old Eiken Saimon shot and killed three people and wounded five others at a Congregational church in Neosho, Missouri. The attack left three people dead and five wounded.

And that May, in Moscow, Idaho, 36-year-old Jason Hamilton fatally shot a police officer and a sexton at First Presbyterian Church, then killed himself before police stormed the building. Hamilton's wife was found shot to death in the bedroom of their Moscow home after the church shootings.

According to reports from Knoxville's News Sentinel, yesterday's shooting that killed two people and wounded several others is being investigated as a potential hate crime. According to police the suspect entered the church with a shotgun concealed in a guitar case and he left a four-page letter detailing his hatred for homosexuals and the "liberal movement".

I don't care what stand a church, organization, company, group, or individual takes on homosexuality, politics and social issues, NOTHING gives any of us the right to touch, or attack those with whom we disagree. Violence is never an appropriate moral, or biblical response for disagreement. Those who choose such a response are in serious need of a confined facility and medication that will no longer allow them to act on their anger, prejudice, hatred, pride, indifference, and ignorance in way that threatens or endangers anyone.

Public places that were formerly considered as safe (schools, churches, shopping malls, hospitals, government buildings, etc.,) are increasingly becoming targets and outlets for troubled souls and minds battling serious emotional and mental issues. A good case can be made that while violence in otherwise safe places is on the increase, the overall emotionally charged/mentally disturbed population is increasing at such an alarming rate that no location, organization, or group is immune from such potential threats.

As one who stands weekly to teach God's Word and proclaim the liberating power of the Gospel, I cannot advocate closing the doors of the church, or the use of full body searches prior to worship or other gatherings. We must not cower in fear behind closed doors with only a "select few". However, I do believe it's time for church leaders to carefully review their safety policies and procedures in their efforts to insure the safety of everyone who gathers in their respective faith community. While our doors must remain open, we need to keep a watchful eye on everyone who comes through them. Such was the case with one of the Knoxville congregation's shooting victims. 60-year old, Greg McKendry, was killed when he confronted the gunman as he entered the church. Police and church members believe McKendry, a leader in the church, saved many lives by putting himself in front of the shooter.

May God give us incredible wisdom and discernment in recognizing the troubled souls around us and the courage to seek professional help for them as we seek to minister with grace. But may God also give us stout hearts like David's who protected and cared for his father's sheep without apology.