Interview with Simon Osamoh of Kingswood Security Consulting

SemperVerus interviewed Simon Osamoh, host of the podcast, Who I Became and founder of Kingswood Security Consulting and the Worship Security Academy, offering proactive safety solutions & innovative security risk management.

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How important is it for churches of any size to have a volunteer security/safety team?
In the past decade, crime has significantly impacted nonprofits, including houses of worship. Once considered safe havens, churches now find themselves confronting challenges such as mass shootings, embezzlement, child misconduct, and other criminal activities. These incidents highlight the brokenness of our world and emphasize the necessity of preparation.

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Tragic events like the 2017 Sutherland Springs, Texas, mass shooting and the Charleston AME Church shooting remind us that it’s not a matter of “if” but “when” a crisis may arise. Churches must ask themselves: What is our pre-planned response to emergencies? This is where a security ministry proves invaluable. It provides a framework for handling medical emergencies, disturbances, lost children, and even natural disasters with a coordinated plan.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Church Shooting Analysis Reports ]

However, forming a security team shouldn’t focus solely on active shooter scenarios or the presence of firearms. Statistically, you’re more likely to need team members trained in providing first aid, supporting someone facing a personal crisis, or de-escalating situations involving mental health challenges.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Gentle Response De-Escalation Training for Church Security Teams ]

The role of a security ministry extends beyond protection; it’s a ministry of care and preparation, ensuring that all who enter the church feel safe and supported. Regardless of size, every church benefits from having a dedicated team to manage security and safety, cultivating an environment where worship can flourish without fear.

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What are the characteristics of a successful church security/safety team?
Having worked with thousands of churches across this great country, I’ve identified two critical factors that define a successful church security team.

Whether you’re a full-time church employee overseeing security ministry or a volunteer leader, culture is the driving force behind progress. Without a strong security culture, it’s almost impossible to build a successful program. Developing this culture involves more than just training or attending conferences; it requires alignment from ministry leaders and buy-in from other church programs. When everyone in the church sees the value of security and contributes to its success, you create a foundation where change becomes possible, and every individual plays a part in keeping the congregation safe.

Security in a church context isn’t just about protocols or enforcement; it’s about ministry. While some may refer to their teams as “response” or “security” teams, their mission should always be treated as an extension of ministry.

Consider this example: One of your team members encounters a woman in tears. She shares that her husband has left her, she has two young children, and she doesn’t know how she’ll pay the bills. Can your team member place a hand on her shoulder, pray with her, and offer comfort? If the answer is yes, then you’ve found the right kind of person for your team.

A successful church security team isn’t about assembling individuals who want to play the role of law enforcement or military personnel. Instead, it’s about finding those who see their work as ministry first and security second. These individuals are approachable, kind, and empathetic. They greet people warmly, engage with them from a place of genuine curiosity, and assess potential threats through the lens of relationship-building, not suspicion.

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Ultimately, the heart of a successful team lies in its ability to balance vigilance with compassion. By fostering a culture of ministry and prioritizing connection, your team can create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone who walks through your church doors.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Church Security Training: Decision Decks Help You Think Through a Crisis Before It Happens ]

How do your Decision Decks cards contribute to security team training and mindset development?
The idea for Decision Decks (decisiondecks.com) stemmed from a simple but profound question posed by one of my clients, Josh Earle: “Is there a way to test my team’s critical thinking and judgment so when I’m not there, I know they’re making good decisions?” This question inspired the creation of Decision Decks, a set of safety and security scenario cards designed to enhance critical thinking and build preparedness across various themes such as de-escalation, emergency response, and more.

Decision Decks are incredibly versatile, and churches and security teams have adopted them in unique ways:

•  Self-Awareness and Reflection: Individuals use the cards to ask themselves, “How would I respond in this scenario?” This practice promotes self-awareness and personal accountability.
•  Team Briefings: During team meetings or briefings, leaders present a scenario from the deck and encourage members to share how they would handle it. This sparks discussion and uncovers diverse approaches to problem-solving.
•  Interview Tools: Some teams use the decks during interviews, posing the same scenario question to all candidates to gauge their critical thinking and alignment with the team’s values.
•  Online Collaboration: A few churches have integrated the decks into Slack channels, where team members respond to posed scenarios. To encourage engagement, the best response might even win an Amazon gift card.

The primary value of Decision Decks lies in their ability to immerse team members in realistic scenarios, fostering critical thinking and “muscle memory” for decision-making. As the Marines say, “The body cannot go where the mind hasn’t been.” By contemplating these scenarios in advance, team members gain the mental preparation necessary to act confidently and effectively in real-life situations.

Decision Decks enable security teams to move beyond theoretical discussions, providing practical tools to enhance readiness and build a proactive mindset. By repeatedly engaging with these scenarios, team members are better equipped to handle the unpredictable challenges they may face.

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What is the ideal security team coverage for a 300-400 seat church auditorium during a worship service, including the number of team members and their recommended positions?
When planning optimal security coverage for a church of this size, the focus should be on layered protection, starting from the parking lot to the worship center. Here’s a recommended approach:

Over 65% of church crimes happen in parking lots, making this the first line of defense. Train your parking team to spot suspicious behavior or assign a member of your security ministry team to monitor this area. The goal is to detect and address potential threats before they even reach the church doors. Place one security team member at each main door to the church. These individuals should welcome attendees while observing behaviors that are outside the norm for your congregation. This dual role of greeter and observer ensures that everyone entering the church is met with warmth while providing a crucial first line of observation.

Have 1-2 roamers positioned inside the building but outside the worship center. Their role is to move between areas, ensuring coverage of hallways, bathrooms, and other gathering spaces. Roamers can respond quickly if a potential issue at the perimeter progresses into the building. Assign one team member to be near the spiritual leader, either in the front row or seated next to them. This proximity ensures a rapid response to any direct threats to the leader. Position 2-3 security team members strategically near exit rows or other key access points inside the worship center. Their placement should allow them to monitor their assigned areas and quickly respond to any incident.

This setup creates multiple layers of observation and response, which is critical for addressing potential threats early. The team at the doors acts as the first filter, identifying and stopping threats before they enter the church. If something is missed, the roamers and strategically placed worship center members can step in to assess and manage the situation.

The exact number of team members needed will depend on your church’s specific size, layout, and resources. However, by covering the parking lot, entry points, roamers, spiritual leader, and key areas in the worship center, you’ll have comprehensive coverage that maximizes your team’s effectiveness.

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What is a vulnerability assessment, why is it necessary, what are its components, and how should a church conduct it?
A vulnerability assessment is an essential starting point for any church aiming to enhance its safety and security measures. It identifies weaknesses in systems, practices, and infrastructure while providing a clear roadmap to mitigate risks. Many churches, particularly those relying on volunteer-led teams, may not fully understand the potential gaps in their security. A thorough vulnerability assessment bridges these knowledge gaps and lays the foundation for a safer worship environment.

A comprehensive vulnerability assessment examines three key areas.

• First, it evaluates administrative risks such as the church’s background check processes, the existence of threat assessment and risk management teams, and the adequacy of security training for staff and volunteers. Administrative vulnerabilities often form the foundation for more significant risks, making this step critical.
• Second, it reviews physical security measures, including the condition and functionality of windows, doors, locks, lighting, and perimeter defenses. Physical weaknesses are often the easiest for intruders to exploit, so addressing these vulnerabilities is vital.
• Finally, the assessment looks at security technology, such as access control systems, surveillance cameras, and mass notification systems. These tools can significantly enhance prevention and response but only when properly implemented and maintained.

The importance of a vulnerability assessment cannot be overstated. It provides churches with a clear understanding of their risks and offers prioritized mitigation strategies to address those vulnerabilities. By creating a 3–5-year roadmap, it allows church leaders to allocate resources effectively, focusing on the most critical areas first.

Additionally, a professional vulnerability assessment is often a prerequisite for applying for federal grants like the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). This FEMA-funded program provides up to $200,000 per location (with a maximum of $600,000 for three locations), offering churches a substantial opportunity to fund critical safety and security improvements. With these grants, churches can invest in better locks, surveillance systems, improved lighting, or advanced access control systems to secure their facilities.

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Conducting a vulnerability assessment requires a structured approach. Partnering with experienced security professionals ensures a thorough and unbiased review. Professionals can identify risks that may be overlooked by internal teams, offering valuable insights and expertise. The assessment process typically begins with a walkthrough of the premises, noting administrative, physical, and technological vulnerabilities. Engaging key stakeholders, such as pastors, safety teams, and facilities managers, helps provide a well-rounded perspective on daily operations and existing risks. Structured tools and templates from organizations like FEMA or the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) can further guide the review.

Once the assessment is complete, churches should develop a prioritized plan based on the findings. Immediate threats to safety should take precedence, followed by improvements that enhance operational efficiency and long-term preparedness. A vulnerability assessment not only helps churches build a safer environment but also positions them to leverage funding opportunities and create a lasting culture of security.

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What should be included in a church’s “policies and procedures” security manual?
Beyond standard security policies, every church should have a comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). An EOP is vital because, in my experience, it’s often not a lack of willingness from staff and volunteers to help but a lack of clarity on what to do in a crisis. A well-constructed EOP provides a pre-planned response for various situations, ensuring the team knows how to act effectively and whether their plan will work in practice.

To build a strong EOP, start by listing potential risks. Break these into man-made disasters (e.g., active shooters, intruders, or vandalism) and natural disasters (e.g., storms, floods, or earthquakes). For each scenario, outline how every part of the church should respond. However, one common mistake is having a single staff member or volunteer create the process in isolation. This often results in a plan that lacks the input and understanding of key stakeholders.

Involve your leaders, ministry teams, and security volunteers in the planning process. This collaborative approach ensures the EOP aligns with your church’s overall security culture and fosters buy-in from everyone involved. Without this understanding and alignment, even the best-written plans can become ineffective. A strong EOP is not just about having a document—it’s about creating a culture of preparedness where everyone knows their role and can act with confidence in an emergency.

[ Get the SemperVerus booklet, The Case for Biblical Self-Defense ]

BIO: Simon Osamoh serves as the editor of Worship Security and is nationally recognized for his work in safeguarding houses of worship. He began his career in England, spending 14 years as a detective specializing in serious and organized crime before leading Counter Terrorism at the Mall of America in Minnesota. Simon founded Kingswood Security Consulting and the Worship Security Academy, providing security solutions to houses of worship and nonprofits. He is the author of two Amazon bestselling books and the host of the Church Security Accelerator Podcast. You can learn more about Simon’s risk management here: https://www.kingswoodsc.com

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