When Protestors Come to Church
Does your church or nonprofit have a plan to ethically, lawfully and appropriately respond to a protest?
AUDIO-ONLY VERSION
Distressed by protest? Don’t be caught off guard by disruptive activists. Learn how to be peaceable and proactive.
It’s a beautiful Sunday morning as the pastor pulls into church to begin preparations for the day’s worship services. Unusually, people are already assembled there at an early hour. But they’re not parishioners – they’re sign-waving protestors. The minister is confronted with a decision:
Call the police.
Confront the protestors.
Do nothing and see what happens as members begin arriving for the day’s events.
Each option carries risks. What should he do?
And what about the TV news truck that just arrived? Does he talk to reporters? And if so, what should he say?
While protests at churches and nonprofits are nothing new, recent political tensions have heightened concerns. Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision, activists called on sympathizers to disrupt Catholic masses on Mother’s Day. Disruptions followed in parishes including those in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York. In related activity, numerous instances of vandalism and destruction occurred at churches and pregnancy resource centers, including one firebombing.
Abortion is far from the only issue igniting tensions. Churches have been disrupted over:
Support for the state of Israel
Support of gay causes
Opposition to gay causes
Advocacy of gun rights
Numerous other issues
Most of these protests, in theory, are not violent. They are annoying, cause anxiety and can lead to outrage, but seldom is anyone physically harmed.
However, your church’s response, or lack of one, could influence whether conflict is escalated. Acting out of impulse or “winging it” are unlikely to yield positive results. It’s far better to know the law, know protestors’ rights and have a game plan in mind before a protest occurs.
In this webinar, Vaughn Baker, president of Strategos International, discusses the best way to plan for and respond to protests.
KEY POINTS FOR CHURCHES RESPONDING TO PROTESTS
Understand Protester Goals: Recognize that protesters often seek disruption, attention, and potential media coverage.
Emotional Control: Avoid taking protests personally and maintain a logical, pre-planned response.
Develop Clear Protocols: Create a designated protester area and have a comprehensive response plan.
Involve Law Enforcement: Proactively communicate with local police and notify them of potential protests.
Show Empathy: Respond with kindness and avoid confrontational debates.
Recognize Escalation Signs: Watch for body language indicators like clenched fists, aggressive stance, and rapid breathing.
Be "Camera Friendly": Ensure all responses can withstand public scrutiny and potential social media exposure.
Prevent Congregational Overreaction: Train leadership to provide calm, clear direction during disruptions.
Protect Religious Freedom: Have a clear code of conduct and understand legal rights and limitations.
Best Outcome: Maintain organizational and personal testimony while demonstrating grace under pressure.
Overview of Key Topics on Church Responses to Protestors
Calm Amidst Chaos: Strategies for Handling Protesters in Church Settings
Navigating Protests: Insights from Vaughn Baker on Church Safety and Reputation
Beyond the Signs: Understanding Protester Motivations and Responses
The Art of De-Escalation: Maintaining Peace in Your Place of Worship
Preparing for Protests: Protocols Every Church Should Have
Grace Under Fire: Emotional Control and Strategic Responses to Protest
Law Enforcement and the Church: Building a Safety Partnership
Empathy Over Confrontation: Communicating Effectively with Protesters
Being ‘Camera Friendly’: Crafting a Response to That Withstands Public Scrutiny
Protecting Your Congregation: Best Practices for Managing Disruptions
VIDEO TIMELINE for “when protestors come to church”
0:40 – Introduction of Vaughn Baker, president, Strategos International
1:55 – The importance of understanding church protestors’ goals
2:35 – Having a pre-planned response to church protests helps limit emotional and unproductive responses
3:20 – Some common goals of church protestors
4:50 – Protestors may seek to provoke and elicit negative reactions from church members.
5:10 – Are only “political” churches at risk of being protested?
7:57 – The increasing polarization of society is leading to an increase in protests and protestors
9:20 – What are the types of protest that may occur on church property?
10:10 – It’s wise to have a designated area where people can protest
11:17 – What are the legal rights of protestors?
14:04 – Consult with law enforcement and legal counsel in order to understand the rights of protestors on public and private property.
15:42 – Church security teams and pastoral leadership should lead the response to a protest, not individual church members.
17:14 – An example of a “textbook response” to church protestors
18:40 – The use of force in responding to protests
20:09 – How should a church respond to protests if it does not have a security team?
21:00 – When should a church contact law enforcement in regards to a protest?
21:40 – Protestors and live worship feeds; the importance of a delay
23:27 – What are church practices that could inflame a protest?
25:47 – It’s common for churchgoers to become incensed and overreact to a protest. How can leaders help them remain calm?
27:23 – How can training prepare security teams to handle protests?
28:24 – How churches and nonprofits can minimize risk for insurance purposes
31:28 – Do churches tend to overreact to protests given that most are benign and nonviolent?
32:22 – What are signs a protest may be turning violent?
35:48 – What are the best and worst outcomes of a protest at your church or organization?
37:12 – How should a church respond if one of its members is a high-profile person who may be drawing protestors?
38:15 – The importance of codes of conduct for churches
39:21 – How should we respond if a protest turns violent?
40:43 – A training opportunity for churches in the National Christian Protectors Conference hosted by Strategos International
CONTACT US
Want to learn more about church security, responding to protests and church insurance? Contact us or call 1.866.870.2700.