Churches across the country are watching the recent disruption at Cities Church in St Paul with concern, especially as federal authorities have confirmed they are investigating the incident as a potential violation of the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act1. This moment underscores the need for churches to adopt clear, lawful, and nonviolent strategies for responding to protest activity that enters or disrupts a worship service. Below are some guidelines that incorporate best practices, legal considerations, and practical steps for faith communities.
The events at Cities Church in St Paul, Minnesota, where a group of thirty to forty protesters entered a Sunday service and interrupted worship while chanting and confronting congregants, have raised important questions for church leaders nationwide. According to reporting from ABC News and USA Today, the Department of Justice is investigating the incident as a possible violation of the federal FACE Act2, which prohibits intimidation or interference with individuals exercising their right to worship. St Paul Police confirmed they responded to the scene and are investigating the matter as disorderly conduct. The incident has also prompted renewed discussion about how houses of worship can balance openness with safety, especially as coordinated disruptions have become more common across the country. Churches are increasingly recognizing that even peaceful protests can cross into unlawful interference when they enter private property or interrupt religious services. These realities underscore the need for clear policies, trained volunteers, and a unified response plan before an incident occurs.
Incidents like this require churches to be prepared, calm, and legally aligned in their response. The goal is always the same: protect the congregation, maintain order, and avoid escalation.
1. Establish a Clear Access Control Plan
Churches have the right to control access to their private property. When protest activity is anticipated or when a church has reason to believe it may be targeted, leaders should consider:
Locking exterior doors once services begin
• This is a common practice in many schools and faith communities and helps prevent unauthorized entry during worship.
• The FACE Act protects the right of congregants to worship without intimidation or interference3.
Posting private property and no trespassing signage
• Clear signage strengthens a church’s legal standing when asking individuals to leave and when requesting police assistance.
• Trespass notices are more enforceable when signage is visible and unambiguous.
2. Prepare for the Possibility of Protesters Entering Before Service
In the Cities Church incident, video footage shows protesters already positioned inside the sanctuary before the service began. Churches should plan for this scenario.
If protesters are discovered inside the building
• Do not confront or argue with them.
• Do not attempt to physically remove them.
• Maintain a calm and orderly environment.
Use worship audio to maintain focus and facilitate safe exit
If the disruption escalates or prevents the service from continuing, the worship ministry can play loud worship music through the sound system. This serves two purposes:
• It prevents protesters from dominating the environment.
• It allows congregants to exit safely and without confrontation.
This approach avoids escalation and keeps the congregation focused on safety rather than conflict.
3. Issue a Verbal Trespass Notice
Churches have the legal right to ask disruptive individuals to leave.
A simple, clear statement is sufficient
• “You are trespassing on private property. You are required to leave immediately.”
According to St Paul Police, officers responded to the Cities Church incident after receiving multiple calls reporting the disruption. Issuing a trespass notice is an important step before requesting police enforcement.
4. Contact Law Enforcement Immediately
Law enforcement should be notified as soon as a disruption begins, especially when:
• Protesters refuse to leave after being asked and are considered to be trespassing. • The disruption interferes with worship and is a misdemeanor offense in many states. • Congregants feel threatened or unsafe, and may be the recipients of threats or threatening behavior.
The St Paul Police Department confirmed they are actively investigating the Cities Church incident as disorderly conduct. Federal authorities have also stated that interference with worship may violate the FACE Act, which carries federal penalties.
Churches should:
• Call police early.
• Provide clear information.
• Allow officers to handle enforcement.
5. Maintain Nonviolence and Avoid Engagement
Churches must model restraint and avoid any action that could escalate the situation.
Do not engage in debate or confrontation
• Protesters often aim to provoke a response, positioning themselves to draw attention and amplify the disruption. They may attempt to bait their targeted audience and broadcast the encounter through live streaming to rally additional support from their followers. • Calm disengagement protects the congregation and reduces risk.
Do not use physical force
• Physical contact can create legal liability.
• It can also escalate tensions and increase danger.
Federal officials have emphasized that intimidation of worshippers is taken seriously and will be prosecuted when appropriate. Churches should rely on law enforcement and legal protections rather than attempting to resolve confrontations themselves.
6. Strengthen Situational Awareness and Communication
A coordinated response depends on real-time information.
Recommended practices
• Equip key volunteers with radios or secure communication apps.
• Train parking lot, greeters and ushers to identify suspicious behavior.
• Establish a code phrase or signal for internal communication during disruptions. • Assign a safety team member to call police immediately when needed.
The Cities Church incident demonstrates how quickly a disruption can unfold. Protesters positioned themselves inside the sanctuary before the service began and initiated chanting as worship started. Situational awareness is essential for early detection.
7. Conduct After Action Reviews and Update Policies After any disruption or near miss:
• Debrief with staff and volunteers.
• Document what occurred.
• Update policies and procedures.
• Reinforce training for ushers, greeters, and safety teams.
Federal and local investigations into the Cities Church incident highlight the seriousness with which authorities view disruptions of worship services. Churches should treat these events with equal seriousness in their internal planning.
Conclusion
The disruption at Cities Church is a reminder that houses of worship must be prepared for protest activity that crosses the line into interference with religious freedom. By adopting clear access control measures, maintaining calm, issuing lawful trespass notices, contacting police promptly, and strengthening communication systems, churches can protect their congregations while remaining faithful to their mission and values.
These steps are grounded in both best practices and the legal framework affirmed by federal authorities investigating the Minnesota incident. Preparation, clarity, and nonviolence remain the most effective tools for churches facing disruptive protest activity.
Sources:
1 The FACE Act (Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act), codified at 18 U.S.C. § 248, is a federal law enacted in 1994 that prohibits violence, threats, intimidation, and property damage targeting individuals seeking or providing reproductive health services, as well as individuals at places of religious worship, the law is enforced by the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation and carries criminal penalties including up to 11 years imprisonment for violent conduct and fines up to $250,000.
2 The FACE Act “prohibits violence, threats, intimidation, and property damage targeting individuals… as well as individuals at places of religious worship.”
3 The FACE Act “protects, among other things, the right to freely exercise religious beliefs at houses of worship. The Act makes it unlawful to use force, threats of force, or physical obstruction to intentionally injure, intimidate, or interfere with any person lawfully exercising their rights to worship.”
Additional Sources:
1. ABC News reporting on DOJ investigation into the Cities Church protest; DOJ investigating after protesters disrupt service at St. Paul church where ICE field director is pastor – ABC News
2. USA Today reporting on the FACE Act investigation and police response Fox News reporting on protesters positioning themselves inside the sanctuary before service; Anti-ICE protest at Minnesota church to be investigated, DOJ says
3. Christian Post Anti-ICE activists storm Minnesota church service | U.S.