The First Baptist Church congregation learned a lesson in church security that is the most difficult to teach: You can never be too safe -- anywhere, an expert said Sunday.
"Every church really needs to prepare for these incidents before they happen because the mentality is that it will never happen here," said Jeffrey Hawkins, executive director of the Christian Security Network. "The biggest obstacle we have to overcome is the 'it can't happen here' mentality."
An unidentified gunman shot and killed the Rev. Fred Winders, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Maryville, during the 8:30 a.m. service Sunday. Two parishioners tackled the gunman to the ground, all three suffering stab wounds after the gunman brandished a knife.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Church security is often overlooked, expert says
