Church Safety : A Q & A with Sutherland Springs Pastor Frank Pomeroy
By Kirk Evans
If you are wondering whether it ’ s time to come up with a more cohesive , actionable defensive plan for your church family , the short answer is yes , now is the time .
To help you understand what this entails through the eyes of another church leader , we sat down and chatted with Pastor Frank Pomeroy .
USLS : Do you encourage members of your congregation to carry ?
Pastor Pomeroy : I do not encourage [ it ]; however , I do not dissuade it either .
USLS : Is your church posted to inform visitors it is protected / defended by an armed team / person ?
Pastor Pomeroy : It is not posted ; however , it is pretty obvious by those that are known on the safety response team .
USLS : How do you feel the Bible addresses self-defense ?
Pastor Pomeroy : As pastors , we have been called to take care of our flock . A shepherd does more than just lead his sheep to feed and water . He also protects them from the wolves and enemies , just as David said he did [ when ] watching after his father ’ s flock . We have been called to provide a safe and secure place of worship and fellowship , trusting the Lord to instruct us on how to fulfill that goal .
Given the realities of the world we live in , Pastor Pomeroy and his team of deacons and ushers are preparing for whatever may come . In 2017 , their church was attacked by an armed man who murdered 26 people and wounded 22 others .
U . S . LawShield ® : What is the name of your church , where is it located , and approximately how many people are in your congregation ?
Pastor Frank Pomeroy : First Baptist Church ( FBC ) Sutherland Springs , Sutherland Springs Texas , 198 [ parishioners ] on the rolls , [ with an ] average [ of ] about 220 on any given Sunday
USLS : Was there a moment that made you realize you needed a defensive plan for your church ?
Pastor Pomeroy : After the shooting in 2017
USLS : For some background , in 2017 , an armed attacker who was legally prohibited from possessing firearms entered the sanctuary and opened fire . Dozens of people died and were injured before local resident Stephen Willeford was able to shoot the attacker twice and stop the threat .
USLS : How did you go about forming your church safety team ?
Pastor Pomeroy : We were able to sit with church security professionals … to put a good plan together .
USLS : Is there anything you would do differently today when forming a team ?
Pastor Pomeroy : I think we have a great and diverse team here .
USLS : How often do your church safety team members participate in training ? What type of training ?
Pastor Pomeroy : At least monthly , and it can be on a firing range or [ on ] de-escalation techniques [ or ] medical training
“ As pastors , we have been called to take care of our flock . A shepherd does more than just lead his sheep to feed and water . He also protects them from the wolves and enemies , just as David said he did [ when ] watching after his father ’ s flock .”
USLS : What do you feel is the most important thing ( s ) for a church safety team to be aware of when it comes to defending the flock ?
Pastor Pomeroy : Do not allow oneself to become complacent . Whether it be in our training or the knowing [ church ] members , a threat will always find that vulnerable place to attack ; therefore , we must be alert and cognitive of all things , at all times .
USLS : What one piece of advice would you give other pastors / church leaders who are considering forming a defensive plan for their church ?
Pastor Pomeroy : To seek out professional training by those who do this for a living , so as not to forget something that may have never crossed their radar before
Whether you ’ re ready to start putting together a plan for your church or unsure where to begin , U . S . LawShield
® is here to help . Not only do we offer Legal Defense for Self Defense
® , but we can also help you develop strategies to defend your church through Protect Your Congregation — U . S . LawShield Church Safety Course : Presented by Armed and Educated Academy . U . S . LawShield can help you plan and prepare for the safety of your congregation . Please email
HOWsafe @ uslawshield . com .
Kirk Evans is the president of U . S . LawShield [
www . uslawshield . com ], a national legal defense program with more than 700,000 members . Evans has practiced law in Texas for more than 25 years and has concentrated most of his work on complex civil litigation and constitutional issues . He has provided legal guidance for church leaders and safety teams as well as represented gun owners , instructors , ranges , and law enforcement . Evans has written several firearms legal publications , including Texas Gun Law : Armed and Educated .
U . S . LawShield
® is a Legal Defense for Self Defense
® Program , not a law firm . Membership in the U . S . LawShield Legal Defense for Self Defense Program is not a guarantee of any particular outcome . All legal services are provided by independent third-party program attorneys who are part of the Program . Visit
www . uslawshield . com for terms , conditions , restrictions , and insurance licensing information .
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