“A House of Worship that relies on spiritual armor alone is spiritually sincere but operationally unprepared.”
I’ve had conversations with pastors who’ve told me that protecting the flock isn’t their responsibility, that safeguarding the congregation is God’s job, and their role is simply to preach the Word. I understand the theological rationale behind that statement, but in practice, it creates significant vulnerabilities. It overlooks that Scripture consistently links spiritual leadership to practical stewardship. Shepherds are called not only to teach but also to watch, guard, and care for the people entrusted to them.
Relying solely on divine protection while ignoring the practical realities of today’s world leaves congregations exposed. Houses of Worship face everything from medical emergencies to disruptive individuals to targeted violence. Pretending those risks don’t exist doesn’t make them go away; it simply ensures the House of Worship is unprepared when they appear. Faith and preparation are not opposite; they are complementary. One trusts God, the other honors the responsibility He gives leaders.
When pastors dismiss safety as “not their job,” it becomes a dangerous cop-out that can lead to failures on multiple levels: operational, ethical, and pastoral. Congregations look to their leaders for guidance, protection, and wise decision-making. Ignoring the physical well-being of the flock undermines that trust and places unnecessary risk on volunteers, families, and the most vulnerable members of the House of Worship.
A balanced approach recognizes that God protects, but He also calls leaders to act wisely, plan responsibly, and steward their people with diligence. Houses of Worship thrive when spiritual care and practical safety work hand in hand. Spiritual armor alone is not sufficient to protect yourself or others during an active assailant attack. But that doesn’t diminish its importance. It simply means spiritual readiness and physical readiness serve different purposes, and Houses of Worship need both.
Why Spiritual Armor Is Essential, but Not Sufficient in an Active Assailant Event
Spiritual armor protects the heart, not the body
Ephesians 6 describes spiritual armor as protection against spiritual forces, deception, fear, and moral collapse. It strengthens:
- Courage
- Discernment
- Self-control
- Moral clarity
- Endurance under pressure
These attributes are critical during a crisis, but they do not stop bullets, restrain attackers, or evacuate children.
Scripture consistently pairs faith with action
Throughout the Bible, God’s people pray and take practical steps:
- Nehemiah prayed and posted guards.
- David trusted God and used a sling.
- Joseph interpreted dreams and built a food-storage system.
- Paul trusted God and escaped through a basket when threatened.
Faith is never presented as a substitute for preparation. It’s the foundation for wise preparation.
Houses of Worship are responsible for the stewardship of people’s safety
Most states recognize a duty of care for organizations that invite the public onto their property. That means:
- Reasonable security measures
- Trained volunteers
- Emergency plans
- Communication protocols
- Coordination with law enforcement
Spiritual armor does not fulfill legal or ethical stewardship obligations.
Active assailant events are physical threats requiring physical countermeasures
Stopping or mitigating an attack requires:
- Early recognition
- Rapid communication
- Lockdown or evacuation
- Trained responders
- Medical capability
- Coordination with 911
These are skills, not spiritual gifts.
Spiritual armor strengthens responders; it doesn’t replace them
In a crisis, spiritual armor helps responders:
- Stay calm
- Resist panic
- Make ethical decisions
- Avoid excessive force
- Protect the vulnerable
- Maintain compassion even under threat
But the actual protection of people comes from trained action.
Spiritual armor prepares our hearts, but it does not stop an attacker. Scripture calls us to pray faithfully and prepare responsibly. A House of Worship that relies on spiritual armor alone is spiritually sincere but operationally unprepared. Our stewardship requires both spiritual readiness and trained, practical safety measures.