Articles with church security

Interview With Lori Morrison, Private Investigator

SemperVerus interviewed Lori Morrison, retired private investigator, author, and host of The Unlovely Truth podcast. She’ll be speaking at the 2025 Church Facilities Expo in Chattanooga, September 22-24, 2025. To register and for more information go to ChurchFacilitiesExpo.com.

[ Read SemperVerus articles on the topic of CHURCH SECURITY ]

What prompted you to become a private investigator?
I was following a local case of a missing (and later found murdered) young woman in the news, and it made me wonder who would help me if that happened to MY child. God ignited a passion in me to help find justice for hurting families.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, US Secret Service Threat Assessment Church Case Study Links Domestic Violence with Mass Attacks ]

Describe the work of a private investigator.
It’s not as constantly exciting as it looks on TV. Good investigators spend a lot of time digging into every little detail that could make a difference in a case, because you don’t always know what’s going to be important right away. You have to talk to a lot of people and find ways to make them want to talk to you. It’s important to keep an open mind and be ready to follow the evidence, not a narrative that someone is giving you. You have to be ready to face the darker side of human nature, keeping in mind that the truth is what ultimately matters. We don’t always get justice, but we can support our clients in finding as much of the truth as possible.

New Website Address for Church Security Institute Network

If you lead or volunteer on a church security team, or are interested in matters pertaining to self-defense, an informative resource you should be aware of is Church Security Institute Network.

It’s a ministry resource that provides churches, houses of worship, ministries, private schools, and businesses with information and assistance in strengthening their security and safety practices.

Its founder is certified protection professional Bob Chauncey, who built it on two biblical principles:
       The Need: “The prudent foresee danger and take precautions…” Proverbs 22:3
       The Action: “We prayed to our God and posted a guard…” Nehemiah 4:9.

The website has recently moved to a new URL. The new site is ChurchSecurityInstitute.net. Until past articles are merged into the new site, also visit its previous address: ChurchSecurityInstitute.wordpress.com.

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

[ Read SemperVerus articles on the topic of CHURCH SECURITY ]


Learn about the Sheepdog Church Security certification program for your church safety team


Invite SemperVerus® to present its 5 life-changing success-generating components—prepare, aware, be, know, do—to your organization to inspire and motivate your members.

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Stopped: Armed Man Threatening Mass Shooting in a Naples, Florida Church

A 23-year-old man walked into a Naples, Florida church Sunday, July 6, 2025, during the final moments of the morning worship service. Two church employees observed his erratic behavior and strange statements. He claimed to be a “trained killer,” asked how much money it would take to stop a mass shooting, and appeared to have a handgun in his waistband.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, A Prayer for Church Security Team Members ]

While one staff member attempted to de-escalate the situation and call 911, another discreetly moved children to safety. When deputies arrived and disarmed him, they discovered he had a loaded handgun, a round in the chamber, and three fully loaded magazines containing 60 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

Church Active Shooter Prevention Saves Lives in Wayne, MI

On Sunday, June 22, 2025, a heavily armed gunman opened fire outside CrossPointe Community Church in Wayne, Michigan, during a morning service. Thanks to effective Church Active Shooter Prevention measures—including the quick actions of a trained security team and a brave parishioner—a large-scale mass shooting was stopped before it could unfold.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Church Security Book Review: Defending the Flock ]

Kris P. Moloney, founder of Sheepdog Church Security (SDCS) certification curriculum, writes about the lessons learned in his after action incident report.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Church Shooting Analysis Reports ]

“In summary,” he writes, “the Wayne church shooting incident ended with the intended victims unharmed, aside from one injured security guard, thanks to the brave and prompt reaction of church members. The suspect was armed for a massacre, but he was stopped before he could reach the 150 men, women, and children inside. Police and community leaders have hailed this outcome as ‘the best possible outcome in a worst-case scenario,’ while also acknowledging the trauma it inflicted. The incident is now prompting other communities to examine their own security plans, and investigators continue working to understand what led to the suspect’s deadly actions. Wayne’s CrossPointe Community Church, though scarred by the event, has emerged as an example of preparedness and courage under fire, illustrating both the challenges and the hope in Church active shooter prevention going forward.”

Read the lessons learned as presented by Kris on The Sheepdog Sentinel.