Church Safety and Security Training

Armed Missouri, Inc. is proud to offer a three-part Church Safety and Security training series that will equip church volunteers and staff members with the skills essential to the safe operation of any house of worship.  Since these modules are proprietary, they can be customized to suit a particular church’s needs.  We are also available to consult with your church and develop a training program custom tailored to meet the requirements of your insurance or legal team and/or to align with your current training program.  You can contact us if you need more information.

Unlike some trainers with no formal training or experience in church security, the AMI team has completed accredited church security instructor training.  This, along with many years of additional training and over six years of practical experience leading a church security team, we have the tools needed to provide safe, effective, relevant, and applicable training for your team.

Module 1: Church Team Member Essentials

Course Description: This course comprises a full day of training in the classroom and can be done in any church facility.  It is ideal for all church volunteers and staff members.  The course will cover the following:

  • Area of responsibility for church volunteers
  • Most common safety concerns, maintaining a generally safe environment
  • How to deal with natural disasters and other emergencies.
  • Basic first aid equipment to acquire and maintain.
  • Identifying potential threats
  • Managing unknown contacts
  • Verbal de-escalation
  • How to communicate with a potential threat.
  • Selecting safety equipment for a church environment
  • Defensive Tools & OC Spray
  • Responding to a medical emergency & how to stop bleeding
  • The laws relating to the use of force and how they apply in a ministry environment

Each student will receive a certificate of completion along with a personal canister of POM OC Spray and an OC Spray trainer.  

Equipment List: Students should bring note taking materials, drinks, snacks, and a lunch.

Module 2: Armed Team Member Stage 1, Basics of Armed Church Security

Prerequisites: A concealed carry permit and previous basic firearms safety training.

Course Description: This course will comprise an entire day on the range and is designed to be taken by those who have take a concealed carry class and have obtained a permit.  This course will pick up where basic firearms safety and fundamentals left off.

  • Review of safe gun handling rules and fundamentals.
  • Refining the fundamentals and improving marksmanship.
  • Holster presentation
  • Verbal challenges
  • Administrative and tactical reloading
  • Malfunction clearing
  • One handed shooting and hand transitions
  • Shooting out to 10 yards
  • Low light shooting

Equipment List:

  • Personal Handgun: The firearm should be of modern design, use centerfire ammunition, be clean, serviceable, and with all factory safety devices intact and in proper working order. It is HIGHLY recommended that you bring a semi-automatic firearm as you will be doing a lot of reloading during this class. Revolvers are allowed but their use is discouraged. It is also recommended that you bring a spare firearm with the same accompanying accessories if possible.
  • Ammunition: Minimum of 350 rounds (450 recommended) of ammunition for your handgun.
  • Holster: A strong side belt holster that properly fits your handgun. Shoulder holsters, cross-draw holsters, ankle holsters, and fanny packs may not be used.
  • Magazines & Speedloaders: Three magazines or speedloaders (if you’re using a revolver) with belt pouches are required.
  • Clothing: A sturdy belt, a brimmed hat, and adequate clothing for the weather as appropriate.
  • Belt: A sturdy belt that can carry the weight of a gun and spare ammunition.
  • Other Equipment: Either shooting muffs or earplugs and some type of glasses are required.

Module 3: Armed Team Member Stage 2, Intermediate Skills and Decision Making

Prerequisites: Church Safety and Security Module 2: Armed Team Member Stage 1 or equivalent training from a reputable instructor/organization

Course Description: This course will comprise an entire day on the range and is designed for those with solid gun handling and marksmanship skills.  This course will introduce the complex and dynamic nature of a deadly force encounter in a church environment and the skills needed to make decisions and solve problems in order to engage and stop the threat.

  • Review of safety rules and fundamentals
  • Shooting out to 25 yards
  • Angle of trajectory and the effects of a bullet on various surfaces.
  • Moving with a firearm.
  • Moving to and using cover and concealment in a 3d environment
  • Shooting while moving.
  • Searching and clearing rooms
  • Shooting from seated positions
  • Managing encounters in a parking lot
  • Decision making based shooting scenarios

Equipment List:

  • Personal Handgun: The firearm should be of modern design, use centerfire ammunition, be clean, serviceable, and with all factory safety devices intact and in proper working order. It is HIGHLY recommended that you bring a semi-automatic firearm as you will be doing a lot of reloading during this class. Revolvers are allowed but their use is discouraged. It is also recommended that you bring a spare firearm with the same accompanying accessories if possible.
  • Ammunition: Minimum of 300 rounds (400 recommended) of ammunition for your handgun.
  • Holster: A strong side belt holster that properly fits your handgun. Shoulder holsters, cross-draw holsters, ankle holsters, and fanny packs may not be used.
  • Magazines & Speedloaders: Three magazines or speedloaders (if you’re using a revolver) with belt pouches are required.
  • Clothing: A sturdy belt, a brimmed hat, and adequate clothing for the weather as appropriate.
  • Belt: A sturdy belt that can carry the weight of a gun and spare ammunition.
  • Other Equipment: Either shooting muffs or earplugs and some type of glasses are required.