Sadly, West Freeway Church of Christ will not be the last American faith community to endure violent trauma. Yes, religious communities must develop security strategies for protecting vulnerable worshippers, but people of faith must reject any idea that such horror is normative.
Pre-Christmas burglaries target Louisiana churches
Authorities in Louisiana are looking for a real-life Grinch following a recent string of church burglaries. The Baptist Message, news journal of the Louisiana Baptist Convention, said four Baptist congregations were among nine churches of various denominations hit by burglars…
Bomb scare prompts evacuation at church
By Bob Allen Nearly 150 children were evacuated Jan. 4 from a day-care center at a Baptist church in Winston-Salem, N.C., while police investigated a suspicious package later determined to pose no threat. According to local media, authorities evacuated First…
Unsolved church bombings leave New Mexico community on edge
By Bob Allen Police in Las Cruces, N.M., evacuated a mall Aug. 6, after a suspicious package was left near the entrance to a Barnes and Noble Bookstore. Mesilla Valley Mall in Las Cruces was closed for several hours amid…
Shots fired in Missouri church
By Bob Allen A Missouri man faces multiple charges after allegedly shooting a gun in a Southern Baptist church during Sunday morning worship. About 40 people at First Baptist Church in Norwood, Mo., were in attendance July 21 when an…
Protecting the church from violence
By Terrell Carter With multiple incidents occurring over the past year in churches of all kinds, what is the responsibility of local church leaders in order to protect their congregations from random acts of violence? This question is not strictly…