Plan, Prepare, Protect: Strengthening Safety in Ministry

Contact: Mark Lex, Security Executive Council, 530-515-1240

CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 29, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Security Executive Council is partnering with Pfeiffer University to host a three-day workshop April 17-19 at its Charlotte, N.C., campus and Myers Park United Methodist Church for church and ministry leaders that provides education and resources for addressing and strengthening safety and managing risk in congregations and other ministry settings. Plan, Prepare, Protect: Strengthening Safety in Ministry will prepare clergy as well as church business administrators, finance leaders and trustees by informing their congregations about security priorities, mitigating security risks and evaluating safety plans.

"Research shows us that faith-based organizations face many of the same risks of corporate and NGO organizations" says Bob Hayes, Managing Director of the Security Executive Council, a leading research and advisory services firm for risk mitigation. "There's renewed interest in planning, preparing, and protecting faith-based organizations." Conference leaders include Hayes and Mark Lex, Emeritus Faculty and Practice Lead for Faith-based organizations of the Security Executive Council, Joy Melton, author of the Safe Sanctuaries book series and members of the Pfeiffer University faculty whose expertise includes stewardship and risk-management preparedness.

"We must do everything we can to reduce the likelihood of crime in churches as well as the associated injuries and other outcomes that can be devastating for individuals and congregations," said Joy Melton, who is an attorney, United Methodist deacon and 1977 graduate of Pfeiffer University. "Proactive preparation, which is an affordable key to reducing and managing risk, goes a long way toward protecting churches and their members."

Violent and other crime in religious communities such as attacks, abductions, suspicious deaths, suicides and deadly force is well documented by ministry security experts. The National Archive of Criminal Justice reports that the most frequent triggers of crimes in houses of worship of all denominations are robbery, domestic violence spilling over to the faith-based organization and personal conflict involving non-related members.

"Security risks and resulting risk mitigation strategies cross all faiths," says Lex, "we are very privileged and excited to partner with Pfeiffer University in this initiative."

Plan, Prepare Protect, Strengthening Safety in Ministry begins on Wed., April 17 with a networking reception at Pfeiffer’s Charlotte campus, 4701 Park Road. A day-long workshop on Thurs., April 18 takes place at Myers Park United Methodist Church, 1501 Queens Road. The seminar concludes on Fri., April 19 with a working group development session at Pfeiffer. For more information, visit www.pfeiffer.edu/riskmanagement; or contact Rev. Sherri Barnes, associate director, university and church relations, Pfeiffer University, sherri.barnes@fsmail.pfeiffer.edu.  

About the Security Executive Council
The Security Executive Council (www.securityexecutivecouncil.com) is a leading problem-solving research and services organization focused on helping businesses build value while improving their ability to effectively manage and mitigate risk. Drawing on the collective knowledge of a large community of successful security practitioners, experts, and strategic alliance partners, the Council develops strategy and insight and identifies proven practices that cannot be found anywhere else. Our research, services, and tools are focused on protecting people, brand, information, physical assets, and the bottom line.