In Michigan, The Blueprint Of Terror Expands

U.S. citizens have become accustomed to hearing about attacks on places of worship. The latest church shooting, this time at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Michigan, killed four and injured eight others. The alleged assassin was a 40-year-old Marine veteran with a police record; he was neutralized in a shootout with law enforcement.

Church shootings tend to follow a pattern; as “soft” targets, they are often easy to enter and few are expecting trouble. When a gunman can’t enter, such as in the Annunciation Catholic Church event, mayhem can be had simply by shooting through the windows during a service, when the building is relatively full.

The attack on the Mormon church was something new. It incorporated more different killing methods at once than before:

The use of firearms: This is the standard way that casualties are caused in U.S. terror events. The recent event was no different.

Vehicular terror: In Europe, guns are more difficult to come by, but anyone can rent a car or truck and plow through a crowd. This has happened every year in the recent past at places like Christmas markets. In the LDS incident, the assailant used his truck to smash through and block the church entrance.

Arson: The use of fire in occupied or unoccupied buildings has been used for centuries to cause death and destruction. The shooter at the Mormon church, perhaps, used fire to block the church entrance and inflict damage. Indeed, two of the victims that avoided being shot were unable to exit the building and died as a result of the fire.

It's uncertain if all three of the above strategies were planned to have their eventual effects; if so, this represents a new, elaborate, and uniquely effective way to inflict mass casualties on an indoor crowd. Indeed, it’s an expanded blueprint for terror against soft targets.

Not all congregations prioritize church or school safety at the level needed in this toxic climate. The premise that a religious ministry is based on peace fails to take into account that there are few softer targets than a congregation at worship services. 

In this era of active shooters and anti-Christian feeling (or anti-religious feeling in general), pastors must make sure their flock is safe, just like any shepherd. In the “New Normal,” it’s part of the job description.

Large places of worship may choose to hire security professionals and install video surveillance technology. Smaller and less affluent churches, however, might benefit by establishing what I call a "safety ministry." This group should be comprised of congregants who have some security experience, such as active and former law enforcement, military veterans, and carefully selected others. Members should evaluate the layout of the church, school, and grounds for weak spots (such as side entrances) and organize a plan of action for calling 911 and other measures when needed.

A simple way to prevent or abort acts of violence in places of worship is the placement of friendly but visible “greeters” or ushers at church entrances. These people can look for “anomalies” such as someone inappropriately dressed for the weather. Having ushers outside could also make it easier to identify those exhibiting suspicious behavior before they enter the building.

Safety ministry personnel should have the ability to close and lock doors to prevent a gunman from entering. Conversely, they can also open all the exits that could be used to direct congregants out of harm’s way when necessary. Ushers can also look for packages left behind that might hide an explosive device.

This is a good strategy for the active shooter on foot. What about the assailant in a vehicle? Places of worship  might consider the placement of “bollards.” Bollards are sturdy barrier posts used to prevent traffic from entering an area. They are common sights outside federal buildings.

Of course, Safety Ministry personnel should have training on how to stop bleeding and equipment such as first aid kits geared to help them accomplish this goal. The number and sophistication of such kits may depend on the number and level of training of parishioners. 

As we harden our places of worship against attackers, we can expect the deranged and disgruntled to become more creative in their strategies to cause murder and mayhem. Preparing for untoward events should be the responsibility of every pastor, teacher, parishioner, and, yes, even students. With a plan of action, they’ll have the best chance to keep the faithful safe in the uncertain future.