Introduction:
Last month I wrote an article on January 15 entitled “Brace for Impact”.  The article was written on the one year anniversary of what has been called “Miracle on the Hudson”.  US Airways Flight 1549 was a scheduled commercial passenger flight from New York City to Charlotte, North Carolina.  That flight was successfully ditched in the Hudson River adjacent to Manhattan six minutes after departing from LaGuardia Airport. The captain was Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, 57, a former fighter pilot who had been an airline pilot since leaving the Air Force in 1980.  Captain Sully uttered the words “Brace for impact” just before the plane crashed into the icy cold Hudson River.  All survived the crash.

I entitled the article “Brace for Impact” as it was my intent to issue a caution due to recent attacks against Christian churches in Malaysia.  It was my concern and prediction that we would soon begin to see an increase in attacks against Christians and Christian churches here in the United States.  In that article I referenced what were recent attacks in Florida and Alabama and a new series of fires that were ruled arson coming out of east Texas.  Since that prediction of January 15 there have been five more fires out of east Texas.

More surprisingly to me was a new series of attacks that began in my home state of Mississippi that hit the news the week after my prediction.  In a span of less than 30 days there have been nearly 20 attacks of vandalism and theft of churches in the greater Jackson area.  The attacks became such a concern that the Jackson Police Department decided to take action and establish a new “Church Watch” program as well as announce a one-day seminar entitled “House of Worship Crime Prevention Seminar”.  I had the pleasure of being the keynote speaker at the event, which initially was expecting hopefully 100 people.  Estimates reflect that there were actually nearly 200 in the meeting, evidence that the community was well aware of the concern.

In my “Brace for Impact” article I closed by stating my next article would be called “Sound the Shofar” and now I want to explain why that title.   

What is a “Shofar”?
A shofar (also spelt “shophar”) is an ancient musical horn made from the horn of a ram; used in ancient times by the Israelites to sound a warning or a summons.  In English this is a transliteration of a Hebrew word.  This Hebrew is actually used 72 times in the Hebrew Old Testament and almost always translated “trumpet”.  In our modern US culture, the concept would be understood as community siren used to alert of an impending tornado.

Why “Sound the Shofar”?
Now let me bring into perspective the purpose behind my title “Sound the Shofar”.  It is basically a plea to “get off the pot and do something.”  We have all heard the phrase “Don’t Just Stand There…Do Something”.  I wish I could claim originality or that phrase, but I cannot.  In 1993 Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr, President of Southern Theological Seminary (where I had the pleasure of attending, but years prior to Dr. Mohler) delivered a convocation address to the graduating seniors.  The long oand short of his message was a message of “standing for righteousness” using 2 Thessalonians 2:15 as his opening and primary text, which says: “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”  I have no desire to try and re-preach that message.  In fact, I want to take it in a little different direction.  I want to deal with the subject of what has been happening to Christians and churches around the world the past few months. 

Ezekiel’s Warning
Ezekiel 33:1-6 uses this Hebrew word “shofar” several times in a text that is a representation of what is the significance and purpose of the shofar.  Listen to these works from the prophet Ezekiel:

“1 Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying 2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: 3 If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; 4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. 5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. 6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.”  KJV

These are some very strong words.  While it could take a book to thoroughly explain what Ezekiel is talking about here, let’s try to highlight on some of the key points as relates to this area of protecting churches, Christian camps, Christian schools and other Christian organizations. 

First it should be noted that Ezekiel refers to a “watchman”.  The Hebrew word here written in English would be “tsaw-faw”.  It is a word that is used 36 times in the Hebrew Old Testament.  Of those times, the word is translated “watchman” 20 times.  The next most common translation is ‘watch”.  The word has with it the idea of someone set in a position to function as a guard for the purpose of providing protection.  While the Israelites were a people of faith, they were also a people of common sense.  They knew the requirement of protecting their people. 

Ezekiel is given a word from the Lord, based on what we read in verse 1.  As such, we can rest assured that God Himself had His hand in what he instructed Ezekiel to do.  It is God Himself who introduces this concept of a “watchman.”  Then as we move down to verse 3, God instructs Ezekiel to instruct the people and the watchman that his specific responsibility is to warn the people.  To “blow the trumpet” or as I would rephrase, to “sound the shofar” so that the people can be better prepared for action.  In other words, God is encouraging them to be PRO-ACTIVE.  And this is not a display of lack of faith.  In fact it really is contrary.  It is showing faith in a system designed by God Himself.

Now as you read verses 4 and 5 it is made clear that if the shofar is sounded and one not take heed to the warning, then they shall be responsible for the consequences.  But now look at verse 6.  The language is clear here with regard to the watchman and his failure to NOT sound the shofar.  If he knows there is danger and he fails to sound the warning, then God says if anyone is killed due to the watchman’s failure to sound the shofar, “his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.” 

I need to be very honest with you here.  This is why I take my role as both a pastor and a security consultant so serious.  In fact, I feel like I am almost doubly responsible because of the responsibility that the Lord has laid on my heart. 

Attacks Against Christians and Churches Around the World
Over the past few months I have been monitoring events in the United States and around the world, focusing on crimes against Christians and churches.  In tracking crimes against churches and comparing to results from 2009, January has already seen a 79.6% increase in such crimes in the United States alone.  And crimes against Christians and churches around the world is also on the rise.

My attention was initially peaked when I read of Christians who were brutally murdered in Egypt in January. Also in January the world began to receive news of attacks against Christian churches in Malaysia.  In a span of two weeks over 12 churches were attacked. Similar attacks began to occur in India.  It was around this time that I wrote “Brace for Impact.”

Then I began to track some trends in the United States.  It first seemed to start in the Jackson, Mississippi area.  Mississippi being my home state I began to follow these events more closely.  Again, in a span of about 30 days there were over 20 attacks against churches.  The concern grew so strong that the Jackson Police Department conducted a two-hour “Crimes Against Houses of Worship Seminar” and I was asked to be the featured speaker.  There were nearly 200 people in attendance and a high level of concern.

And while these incidents in Mississippi were being reported, east Texas was seeing a string a church arsons.  At last count there were eleven such incidents in a 30-day time span.   Church leaders and members in Texas have grown concerned, and understandably so. 

What Can We Do?
We as Christians need to get back to the Biblical basics of understanding the concept of a watchman.  We need to be prepared to look out for one another.  Years ago folks banned together and began creating neighborhood watch programs.  We need a similar concept amongst churches.  But to do this effectively we also need to services and assistance of our local law enforcement personnel. 

Late last year ICSARM introduced the concept of Church Safety Roundtables.  Whether you participate in an ICSARM-sponsored Church Safety Roundtable or create your own program, this is something that needs to be considered in each and every community.  We are past only focusing on our own church.  We need to work together for the purpose of the kingdom to send a message to those who would attack God’s people and God’s places of worship that we are not going to sit still and do nothing. 

At minimum, whether your church is 10,000 people, 1,000 people 100 people or even just 25, please take serious the charge to “sound the shofar” and create a church safety and security team for your church.  The resources are out there to assist you in creating a church safety & security manual and teams. 

Closing Comments
It is my sincere prayer that this article be understood for what it is meant to be, a heart-felt warning to pastors and church leaders to take serious the threat of harm against the people of God and His worship centers.  It is not an attempt to instill unnecessary fear nor an attempt to drive business to my company.  There are many providers and consultants out there who can lend assistance to you and your church. 

To give you an idea of the frequency of incidents against churches, please go to our web site at http://www.icsarm.org and scroll down to the section called CHURCH & CHRISTIAN CAMPS INCIDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AND AROUND THE WORLD and check out what is happening in the United States on a daily basis.

If you are interested in receiving a copy of our Daily Digest that is sent out six days a week and includes news of incidents of safety and security involving churches in the United States and around the world, a featured article, updates on events around the country, and much more, send an e-mail to michael@churchriskmanagement.org and just write “Daily Digest” in the subject line.

Disclaimer. This post/blog does not constitute legal advice. You should consult a lawyer if you have any questions about any issues in this article that might impact your specific church. On-line legal information can become out-of-date and are subject to legal interpretation depending on particular facts and circumstances.  ICSARM maintains a list of qualified Christian attorneys across the United States and Canada.

 About Michael Boutot: Michael has been married to the same woman for over 29 years and together they have 11 children.  He is a 1983 graduate of Southwest Baptist University and also attended Southern Seminary in Louisville and Birmingham theological Seminary in Birmingham.  Michael was ordained in 1983 and has pastured eight churches in Missouri, Ohio and Mississippi.  Michael is the founder and executive director of the Institute for Church Safety & Risk Management, LLC (ICSARM) and the National Association for the Prevention of Crimes Against Churches, Inc (NAPCAC).   Michael can be reached at michael@churchriskmanagement.org or via phone at (662) 322-6713.
 
 About ICSARM: The mission of ICSARM is to promote the highest level of professional competence to churches and para-church organizations in the area of church risk management by providing programs of study, service, training, exchange of information and problem-solving discussions, leading to more effective and efficient utilization of church facilities and resources for the overall protection of the church building and her ministries, to include church staff, volunteers and members. 
 
 Membership into ICSARM exists for churches and church personnel, non-profit groups, and service providers who provide services in the area of church safety, church security, church insurance, church financial safety & security, and/or church risk management. 
 
 To learn more about ICSARM, visit http://www.icsarm.org.
 
 
About NAPCAC: NAPCAC is a 501(c)3 non-profit religious organization created to assist churches victimized by crime and to work with churches to limit exposures to future crimes.  The mission of NAPCAC is to support churches that have been victimized by crime and to help churches minimize their exposures to future crimes.  We accomplish this through our four-fold purpose:

1. Help prevent crimes against churches; 2. Help churches recover when a crime has been committed against them; (includes assistance with filing claims and getting funds for uncovered losses); 3. Help validate that a crime has been committed (include experts to work with local fire marshals and insurance companies, etc); 4. Assist in raising funds to offer rewards to government officials to catch and convict criminals of crimes against churches.
 
 To learn more about NAPCAC, visit http://www.napcac.org.