For many architects and designers working on churches, the topic of security is one that has been gaining importance, as church leaders want to be sure that the worship experience is safe for all.
While the threats today may not be greater, the awareness of such threats has certainly increased in recent years.
The challenge is, although there’s plenty of information out there about legal liability and security, there’s very little authoritative information on how to respond to the challenge with the built environment and how the design process can play a role.
“If you’ve worked with ministries for any time at all, you know that safety is something they want to get right,” says Ronald E. Geyer, architect and principal for Good City Architects LLC in Greenville, South Carolina. “In the absence of data, people tend to invent their own theories or over-invest in measures that may not be necessary. I’d like to work with someone who can back their recommendations with more than fear.”
While Geyer and many designers in his position have looked for companies that hold expertise in this area, there’s not many that do—especially ones that are focused on the worship sector.
For instance, his firm recently encountered a security consultant who proposed an expensive list of measures better suited for a foreign consulate than for a church.
“... ministry exists in the tension between openness and safety. A church must invite strangers into its midst while protecting those who choose to enter, just as she must invite conversation while protecting truth.”
Ron Geyer, Architect and Principal, Good City Architects LLC, Greenville, SC
“They’d missed the fact—and failed to ask—that ministry exists in the tension between openness and safety,” Geyer says. “A church must invite strangers into its midst while protecting those who choose to enter, just as she must invite conversation while protecting truth.”
He adds, "Therefore, the question can’t be, 'How do we protect our borders?' It must be, 'What is an acceptable risk for effective, God-honoring ministry?'”
Providing a service
Drew Neckar, president and principal consultant for Security Advisors Consulting Group in Strum, Wisconsin, notes that an effective security program, whether for a Fortune 500 company or a neighborhood church, must be based in a risk management framework in which realistic threats to the organization’s assets (people, property, and reputation) are quantified and where any security measures implemented are tailored to meet the organization's unique threat landscape.
His company can assist churches, and those designing them, by assessing these threats, identifying gaps in current protective measures, and recommending security program elements that can be implemented to effectively and efficiently address them.
“Churches are faced with a unique security landscape; while many organizations are able to severely limit access to their facilities, the mission of church requires that it be an open and inviting place that welcomes everyone, expanding its ministry to those whom others may shun due to their current circumstances, such as drug addicts or the homeless,” Neckar says. “Houses of worship also sometimes attract the animosity of those who are biased against their theology or against their congregants, and who may commit terrorist acts or hate crimes against them.”
“If engaged early enough in the process, a consulting firm experienced in crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) methodologies can provide input to the architect for minor design alterations that will serve to reduce the organization’s attractiveness as a target.”
Drew Neckar, President and Principal Consultant, Security Advisors Consulting Group, Strum, WI
Religious institutions also face challenges related to providing security for the youngest members of their congregation, with Neckar noting that even churches that do not have an affiliated or attached school must be concerned for the safety of children during youth camps, Sunday school, and after-school activities.
“In addition to these unique threats, [churches] are not immune to street crime and must also take into account risks related to the environment in which they operate, implementing measures to prevent burglary, robberies of congregants in their parking lots, or other crimes occurring in the neighborhoods surrounding them,” he says. “To respond to these risks, the majority of churches do not have large professional security forces, but due to their nature often rely on groups of volunteers drawn from their congregations who may have limited, if any, knowledge of security and crime prevention best practices.”
A professional security risk assessment can help the institution quantify the actual vs. perceived risks it faces and develop plans to help it implement security measures scaled to its individual needs. These security measures should not be limited to electronic video surveillance or security systems. Indeed, many threats can be effectively countered through adjustments to processes, training of staff, or changes in design of the facility itself.
Teaming with design consultants and architects
If a worship facility engages a knowledgeable security consultant early in the design phase of any major facility remodeling or new construction, this professional can help identify potential security risks and ensure that the design of the facility or its protection systems are geared toward the church’s unique risks.
“If engaged early enough in the process, a consulting firm experienced in crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) methodologies can provide input to the architect for minor design alterations that will serve to reduce the organization’s attractiveness as a target,” Neckar says. “Security-driven design changes are typically exponentially less expensive to implement in these early phases of a project than they would be to implement once construction has started or after it has been completed.”
A good working relationship between the security consultant and the architect can ensure that this early identification occurs.
Neckar explains that a security risk assessment or audit prior to development of construction plans, in particular, will help a church limit expensive change orders to implement security features mid-stream, during the construction process or after construction is complete.
“In addition to the construction benefits, any organization’s security program can benefit from a review by an outside expert on a regular basis,” he adds. “Political pressure within an organization can influence its perception of risk over time, either exaggerating or minimizing the real risk ... an outside consultant can help an organization refocus its efforts on threats that have the highest probability of negatively affecting the church or its congregation.”
Making a choice
While Geyer notes that it hasn’t been easy finding security consultants to work with on church projects, he stresses the importance of bringing in someone qualified who understands the unique offerings of a church.
Neckar has found that many companies whose business is selling either electronic security systems or security guard staffing employ what they call "security consultants” whose actual job is, in reality, more in line with their sales function.
He adds that while these consultants may be able to assist in identifying risks, their recommended solutions to these threats will almost always be biased towards solutions that their company can provide.
“To avoid this conflict of interest, churches should ensure that any consultant they retain is independent and not affiliated with selling other security services beyond consulting,” Neckar says. “Similarly, only two states (Texas and Nevada) require any type of licensure for someone to advertise themselves as a security consultant, so the onus falls on the client to ensure that the consultant they are engaging is indeed a subject matter expert.”
A good sign of professionalism is evidence that the consultant is respected in the security community, such as having published articles or books, spoken at industry conferences, or having held leadership positions in security industry associations.
“Another excellent indicator of professionalism is certification,” Neckar says. “In the security industry, those such as the Certified Protection Professional (CPP) issued by ASIS International, a professional security industry organization based in Alexandria, Virginia, typically are best known and carry the most weight. Due to the challenges inherent in securing an open environment, a church designer should ensure that the consultant they engage has experience with religious institutions or other open environments such as hospitals or schools.”
