Episode 131: How prepared is your congregation for an active shooter? (Rick Arrington)

On Sunday, June 22, 2025, a gunman armed with an AR-15 assault rifle opened fire on Crosspointe Community Church in Wayne, Michigan, as it assembled for worship. A fast-thinking deacon and two armed members of the congregation's security team killed the gunman before he could enter the church building and take the lives of any members or visitors.As the frequency of active shooter situations at houses of worship is on the rise, how many congregations are prepared if the worst case happens?Our guest is Rick Arrington, a security expert who trains houses of worship, schools and law enforcement agencies across the United States. A retired police lieutenant and an elder with the Rocky Mount (Virginia) Church of Christ, Arrington is the founder and CEO of the Crime Prevention Center and author of Securing the Faithful: Preventing and Addressing Crime in Places of Worship from Sunset Institute Press.In this episode, Rick explains how congregations can better secure themselves against active shooters and other threats without abandoning the compassion, kindness, hospitality and openness that are to characterize the church of Christ.Link to Crime Prevention CenterLink to Securing the Faithful: Preventing and Addressing Crime in Places of Worship by Rick ArringtonLink to The Christian Chronicle's coverage of active shooters at Church of Christ congregationsLink to a Christian Chronicle story (from March 2020) about Rick Arrington's ministry to help congregations better secure themselvesListeners to this episode get a 50 PERCENT DISCOUNT on Rick's Securing the Faithful online training course. Click on the link below and enter the discount code PSQ5ZGC at checkout. crimepreventioncenter.org/training-courses/online-securing-the-faithful-courseDonate to support this ministry of "information and inspiration" at christianchronicle.org/donateSend your comments, ideas, and suggestions to [email protected]