A. Train your ministry volunteers to persuade disruptive individuals to leave the sanctuary or event without using force.
There are many effective “de-escalation” techniques that can be used. Your local law enforcement agency may be willing to provide this training to your ministry.
The chief objective of anyone responding to a disruptive individual should be to form a visual barrier between that individual and the rest of the congregation. This barrier will be used to direct the individual to a more appropriate place for resolving the underlying problem. In doing so, ministry workers should avoid physical contact as much as possible.
The chief objective of anyone responding to a disruptive individual should be to form a visual barrier between that individual and the rest of the congregation.
In forming a visual barrier, however, it is important to leave a clear escape route. If an upset individual is left with nowhere to go, he or she is more likely to become violent.
Ministry workers should also be trained to call police as soon as they believe someone’s physical safety is threatened or that physical contact is inevitable.
From a risk control perspective, calling law enforcement solves many problems. The visible presence of law enforcement often helps to calm a disruptive individual. Also, the officer’s actions won’t be attributed to the church if a disruptive individual is looking for a legal fight. Relying on the training and experience of local law enforcement will rarely be a bad thing for a ministry dealing with a disruption.
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Posted 2020.
The information we provide is intended to be helpful, but it does not constitute legal advice and is not a substitute for the advice from a licensed attorney in your area. Accordingly, no attorney/client relationship is created through this process, and no legal advice will be provided. We strongly encourage you to regularly consult with a local attorney as part of your risk management program.
