In fact, most of the concert riders I’ve seen mandate that the buildings be locked down to the point of single entrance, backstage locked/guarded, etc. That’s the way its gotta be when you’ve got a ticketed audience.

Of course none of this invalidates Andy’s basic premise, which I suspect is most likely true. The solution as I see it is to simply use church buildings as much as possible during the week. An occupied building need not be locked.

Great story. I followed the link to your blog. Thanks for posting it! It’s a great reminder.

During my senior year, I had an experience at my church regarding the heart of ministry that still makes me shake my head. Even when the doors were unlocked, our church still acted like a fortress.

“Excuse me, sir? Could you help us?’

I looked up from a chicken biscuit, Coca-Cola, my Bible, and journal to meet the gaze of a determined man. He was bundled up for a blizzard. His boots, pants, jacket, and sock hat were all worse for wear—like they’d seen more mud than snow. In Decatur, Georgia, the skies rarely snow. And if flakes do appear, they are often accompanied by the unwelcome guests of sleet and ice.

“I can try,” I said, intrigued, but a little perturbed that he had interrupted my advent devotional. The first Sunday of December is a time to reflect on the times that God told his people about the coming of Jesus—some centuries before his humble birth.

“I’m sorry to bother you,” he said, “but my family and I are running out of luck.” He raised a tired arm in the direction of a woman and two children bundled up just like him. “I moved us here from West Virginia this fall to try and find some construction work.”

His defeated voice reminded me of tired football linemen from losing teams mercilessly interviewed about miniscule missed plays. This man was weary.

“The job was good for a couple months,” he continued, “but I got laid off. Gradually we’ve had to sell everything off to keep ourselves fed.”

I stole a glance at the table and saw steaming Styrofoam cups, but no trays. Maybe they’ve finished breakfast, I thought.

“Uh, sure, I understand,” I said trying to be compassionate. I was 17, drove a sports car, and argued with my parents about college. I didn’t — couldn’t — understand his plight. I reached for my wallet.

“Oh, no. No. I don’t want your money.” His tone was urgent. Defiant. “We’re working our way to North Carolina. I hear there’re jobs there. We’ve sold off everything but our camping gear. We’ve got some food and some money.” He looked at the floor and grew quiet. “My wife and I are picking up odd jobs—leaf raking, gutter cleaning, that type of thing. Between walking and hitching, we want to be there by New Year’s.”

I must have looked confused. If he didn’t want my money, how could I help him? I was about to ask the question when he looked up from the floor with the same determination he started our conversation with.

“We need some candles. (read the rest here: http://wmarkwhitlock.blogspot.com/2004/12/christmas-candles.html)

I agree that the Bible doesn’t guarantee safety for followers of Jesus. I embrace that and recognize that at times I will be put in any variety of danger because I call Christ Lord.

But I think there’s still a responsibility for those God has placed in our care. You’re a parent, right? Don’t you lock your doors at night? Don’t you keep your son in his car seat, buckled in on a trip to the store? Don’t you put up the gate on his crib, and make sure he doesn’t have any blankets near his face when he goes to bed? God has placed our kids in our care for a time, and we have a responsibility to love them and care for them as God loves and cares for us.

When I’m talking about safety, this is what I’m talking about: to provide sanctuary for those in our care, especially our kids. I don’t think locking the doors to our childrens’ area is going to prevent anyone from coming to Christ, but it might prevent a predator from harming the defenseless.

If I’ve misinterpreted or read too much into your comments, please let me know.

and the robbery happened at night, of course, when no one was there. anyone trying to get into during business hours, or even evenings, can get in at our church because people are there. but when no one is there, gotta lock those doors.

that being said, i think you’re onto something though…what i am frustrated with is the heart that some folks have about their church, and how they like it being a little clique where they hang with friends. Many folks have established a nice comfort zone at work, and they don’t want that rocked by outsiders or people different from them.

In that sense, I think those closed hearts are far more damaging to Jesus’ bride than locked doors ever could be.

But in America the buildings will only be destroyed by people who simply want to cause senseless harm. it is simply dangerous to allow that to happen. To leave the building unguarged would be to put church members in harm’s way knowingly, that is not a good decision.

Wow, i’m gonna stop talking now before I make myself look like more of an ass. sorry folks, I’m not trying to start trouble, I’m just long winded and a bit of a rambler.