It's like you were in my head. Those first few paragraphs express exactly how I was for a long time. I pray this helps others so that they can find rest in Him sooner than later. It has taken me a very long time to accept permission to stand down. Thanks for this.
My experience has been that I brought up a spiritual topic in fellowship after service (last Sunday) and a brother said, "exactly what our pastor's sermon was about today," (I didn't admit to not remembering that point, it was an awkward moment! ).
My assumption is that we may subconsciously hear what the sermon was about and that's OK, until we can put into practice the lesson Keith you are teaching us here.
Very helpful and relatable, thanks Keith. I'm blessed to watch the recorded sermon on Wednesdays. I wish it was the entire service, hymns and all. But this allows me to focus on security when the actual service is being conducted.
As always, thank you for these. This one may also be helpful for "civilians" who exercise Situational Awareness constantly, but have taken it too far. In other words, the lessons may be adapted, as appropriate. Thanks again.
As a disabled vet, my brain goes through scenarios based on what I see when I am scanning the sanctuary. I feel guilty sometimes because I have another part of me saying that I should not be thinking like that in church. I am always hyper vigilant and I remind myself all the time to present a warm and welcoming spirit and ready to witness the Gospel and or pray with someone who looks lost or hurt or acting suspicious. I am always thinking about advantages for positioning all the while trying to stay in the spirit. I know my team members who have never served or are not LEO’S or former LEO’S have no clue and do not understand what my brain is doing due to my military experience. I am working to always be ready with the hand of fellowship, leading a prayer with my eyes wide open, or just having a shoulder to support or an ear to just listen. Those who know, know. God bless my fellow Christian Warriors.
Point 3 is the most important for anyone who feels like they have to be vigilant because their church has no security team. This world is several years passed any church not having a security team if you want to be responsible. Taking turns is critical to allow that hour of peace at least every other week.
I wasn’t military or LEO, but we do have armed security with professional training. I’m just a guy ushering visitors to open seats, and holding the door for moms with babies. But if a threat gets past the team, I’m also a guy who can shove my arm through the door handles and slow someone down, or make them take a shot and raise all alerts.
Not everyone has to be armed, but at least some have to be trained.
It's like you were in my head. Those first few paragraphs express exactly how I was for a long time. I pray this helps others so that they can find rest in Him sooner than later. It has taken me a very long time to accept permission to stand down. Thanks for this.
I've been out of the military for over 2 decades, but the military has never been out of me. Thank you very much. This helped alot.
Thanks Keith. Needed this. Needed to hear it’s ok to step off the wall. 🙏🙏
Very helpful. Thank you.
My experience has been that I brought up a spiritual topic in fellowship after service (last Sunday) and a brother said, "exactly what our pastor's sermon was about today," (I didn't admit to not remembering that point, it was an awkward moment! ).
My assumption is that we may subconsciously hear what the sermon was about and that's OK, until we can put into practice the lesson Keith you are teaching us here.
Very helpful and relatable, thanks Keith. I'm blessed to watch the recorded sermon on Wednesdays. I wish it was the entire service, hymns and all. But this allows me to focus on security when the actual service is being conducted.
This is an incredible write-up. Thank you.
As always, thank you for these. This one may also be helpful for "civilians" who exercise Situational Awareness constantly, but have taken it too far. In other words, the lessons may be adapted, as appropriate. Thanks again.
As a disabled vet, my brain goes through scenarios based on what I see when I am scanning the sanctuary. I feel guilty sometimes because I have another part of me saying that I should not be thinking like that in church. I am always hyper vigilant and I remind myself all the time to present a warm and welcoming spirit and ready to witness the Gospel and or pray with someone who looks lost or hurt or acting suspicious. I am always thinking about advantages for positioning all the while trying to stay in the spirit. I know my team members who have never served or are not LEO’S or former LEO’S have no clue and do not understand what my brain is doing due to my military experience. I am working to always be ready with the hand of fellowship, leading a prayer with my eyes wide open, or just having a shoulder to support or an ear to just listen. Those who know, know. God bless my fellow Christian Warriors.
Retired USAF in 1998. Your describing my weekly experience.
Thank you.
Point 3 is the most important for anyone who feels like they have to be vigilant because their church has no security team. This world is several years passed any church not having a security team if you want to be responsible. Taking turns is critical to allow that hour of peace at least every other week.
I wasn’t military or LEO, but we do have armed security with professional training. I’m just a guy ushering visitors to open seats, and holding the door for moms with babies. But if a threat gets past the team, I’m also a guy who can shove my arm through the door handles and slow someone down, or make them take a shot and raise all alerts.
Not everyone has to be armed, but at least some have to be trained.