Under Siege

Facing Protest Demonstrations and Hateful Actions

Based on the Safety Member Certification training module "Deescalating Disruptive Persons."[1]

From the Bible

And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, "Ye men of Ephesus, ... we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse" (Acts 19:35, 40).

Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing (1 Peter 3:9).

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18).

Introduction

If you are following the headlines, it seems that churches are under siege. Some are, or have been, besieged by protesters. Not all demonstrations have been peaceful picketing. Several have been disruptive, and some even violent. Reasons for the protests are varied; most are motivated by churches' views on social issues.

How are we supposed to respond when protestors come down the street to our church?

In the News

San Francisco, California, September 19, 1993- On Sunday evening, Sept. 19, 1993, the chairman of the Traditional Values Coalition was scheduled to speak at the Hamilton Square Baptist Church. An hour before the service was to begin, LGB activists gathered outside the church and began harassing church members and guests coming for the service. Some of them beat on side doors, trying to get in, or if not being able to enter at least to drown out the speaker.

They took down the U.S. and Christian flags on the flag pole. When the church custodian tried to restore them, they drove him off and raised their activist flag.

Bull horns were used to shout slogans and make threats, such as "We're coming for your children." They tried to block arriving church members. This included physical assault. Thousands of dollars of damage was done to church property.

This assault resulted in legislative hearings on strengthening penalties in the state law banning deliberate disruption of religious services.[2][3]

Beltsville, Maryland, May 25, 2008- A church in Beltsville was targeted for picketing by Soulforce, a national gay rights advocacy group. The senior pastor of the church invited members of the group to debate the issue of same-sex marriage with church elders on the day before the scheduled demonstration.[4]

Medford, Massachusetts, July 25, 2021- Protestors stood across the street from a church in this Boston suburb. At the same time, the pastor and some congregants stood in front of the church singing hymns. The protestors were voicing their objections to a message on the church's signboard which read, "MALE AND FEMALE / CREATED HE THEM / GEN 5.2 / GENDER IDENTITY SOLVED." The protestors, which included a few city officials, claimed that this expressed hate toward the LGBTQ community. The pastor said it was simply a statement of truth. One of the protestors said the sign might inspire someone to take aggressive actions against him.[5]

New York City, May 8, 2022- On Mother's Day 2022, in lower Manhattan, protesters and counter protesters competed for attention outside the Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral. The issue was abortion rights. The uproar was fueled by a leak of the U.S. Supreme Court's likely decision overturning Roe v. Wade.[6]

Nationwide, 2022- A nebulous group calling itself "Jane's Revenge" has been claiming responsibility for the vandalizing of pro-life organizations and pro-life churches following the leak of the prototype opinion of a U.S. Supreme Court decision. This leak indicated that the high court would overturn Roe v. Wade, returning the question of abortion rights and regulation back to the states.[7]

New York City, March 31, 2024- Pro-Palestinian protestors entered St. Patrick's Cathedral for the Easter service. They stood up and interrupted the Mass chanting, "Free Palestine." Police were called. They came and escorted the protestors out of the cathedral.[8]

When Demonstrators Show Up

How should we handle protestors when they hold a demonstration at the church? First, let's see what the biblical guidelines are. Proverbs 16:7 says, "When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him." In Romans 12:18 Paul wrote, "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." This is a general standard for all believers. He goes on in 1 Timothy 3:3 and Titus 1:7 to specify that a bishop (pastor, overseer, elder) should not be "a striker", "a brawler", or one who is "soon angry." Clearly, when confronted by protestors, we need to maintain self-control and deal with them peaceably. This does not mean giving in to their demands. It just means not being mean-spirited and hostile, yet still standing for the truth, "speaking the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15).

In all cases prepare in prayer.

If they gather on the street in front of the church, use discretion in dealing with them. Have one person be ready to meet them (if it can't be avoided) who has a cool head and the wits to know how to answer them rationally and peacefully. This requires the same skills as verbal de-escalation. One must be careful in what is said- actually the less said, the better.

Many protests have someone who will try to provoke you to say or do something that will make you look bad, especially when reporters are present. Today, with cellphone cameras, there will be many "reporters" present. Count on it. This is why some experts advise us to not engage protestors.

According to the training module "Deescalating Disruptive Persons," "Protesters may

• taunt you
• call you names
• use coarse language
• invade your personal space
• use bizarre or insulting gestures"[1]

If you must address protestors, use "I statements" to set limits.

If this sounds iffy, there is a reason. Although dealing with protestors is touched on in the de-escalation training module, there is a key difference between a disturbed person beginning to act out in the church and a protestor/demonstrator. The personal disruptor needs someone to deal with him/her during a developing crisis. The protestors in a demonstration are there to attract attention to their "complaint." Usually they manage to get media on site to cover the event, and there's nothing like action and/or a confrontation to arouse interest. No matter how well you meet a protestor, media can twist it to make the church look bad. If there is no confrontation, we might make it a non-event.

Among organizations offering advice on handing a demonstration are Brotherhood Mutual, Secure Church, N.C. Baptists, etc.[9][10][11]

If this is a "stand-up protest" (they are already in the church and stand up all at once), this requires more discretion than a protest on the street. Disrupting a religious service or other exercises of First Amendment rights is prohibited by law in some states, including California. However, no matter how tempting it is to become belligerent, try to be the adults in the room by maintaining self-control. First, identify, if you can, the leader of the demonstration. Then, address this person personally. Use terms such as "I see" and "We know …"

For this type of demonstration, there is a degree of prevention:

• Be on the alert for any indication of a demonstration targeting your church. Have people monitoring social media- this is more than just Facebook. There are "Social Media Monitoring Tools" available. Search for them and use them.
• If you have information that there will be a demonstration, especially a stand-up one, notify law enforcement and coordinate your response with them. Also prepare your safety & security team on how to spot protesters coming in and how to deal with them. Caution church members to avoid contact with demonstrators.
• If you can, communicate with those organizing a protest. Two goals are to let them know that you care about people and their needs, and to try working out a plan for a peaceful demonstration. Remember that they also have free speech. If this doesn't work out, you can alert the police and reschedule events and/or services.
• Watch for signs of disruptors coming in and be ready for a lockout/lockdown. Secure Church has a watch list:[12]
• Several new people coming in together and separating
• Several new people coming separately and then grouping
• Indications newcomers are communicating with each other (coordination via mobile phones)
• Bringing in rolled-up signs or a large banner
• Same colored clothes, especially if partly hidden by loose clothing
• One or some with GoPro cameras
• Parking on side street, not in lot- may be planning on sneaking in
• Watch for any congregants heading out to engage the demonstrators.
• Call 911 at the first sign of disruption or violence.
• Let the Peace of Christ prevail if you must encounter the demonstrators.

Hate Crime Actions

Not all "protests" are public affairs with marchers or picketers accompanied by news media. It may be hate-motivated vandalism, such as that by Jane's Revenge. The "Jane's Revenge" actions were against pro-life churches and organizations. In 2021 a church in El Monte, California, was bombed and spray-painted, apparently for its views on sexuality.[12] Some crimes have been committed against churches that the perpetrators considered too liberal.

So what do we do when the church is vandalized as a hate crime?

First, if there are any threats of arson, bombing, or other destructive actions, report them to law enforcement. This will put it on the record and initiate the investigation of who may be behind it. It may also justify increased police patrols as well as church security.

If there is an act or attempted act of vandalism, arson, or bombing, first call 9-1-1. Do not disturb anything, but leave it for the police to check. They need all the evidence they can get. Cleanup and repairs can begin after they say they have all they need.

Training

The Safety Member Certification program is there to train and certify all members of your Church Safety Team.[1] Training is through self-paced individual online training. There are eight training modules:

• Safety Team Fundamentals
• Active Shooter Response
• Deescalating Disruptive Persons
• Protecting Children from Abuse
• Basic Use of Force Laws
• Arson and Fire Safety
• Storms and Disasters
• Mass Trauma Emergencies

Other resources are in the Church Security Guide and in the Security Articles on the SDCS training website.[13][14] Security Articles has four subcategories:

• Lesson Learned
• Church Security Guide
• Guest Articles
• Team Briefing

Free Download

Get our free download, "Behavioral Emergencies: Dealing with people in crisis." Click *HERE* to get it and be signed up for the weekly newsletter.[15]

Conclusion

If protesters stage a demonstration at your church, use wisdom and discretion. Act in such a way it will be evident that you are the adults in this situation.

References

1. Kris Moloney, "Deescalating Disruptive Persons." Safety Member Certification, Sheepdog Church Security, © 2018 [https://sheepdog-church-security.thinkific.com/bundles/safety-member-certification].
2. "Hamilton Square Baptist Church protests," Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamilton_Square_Baptist_Church_protests].
3. David Roberti (Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary), "Bill Analysis: Religious Meeting Disturbances," California State Senate, June 21, 1994, accessed from Internet Archive Wayback Machine [https://web.archive.org/web/20090530032559/http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/93-94/bill/asm/ab_3101-3150/ab_3103_cfa_940428_162814_sen_comm].
4. Les Kinsolving, "Militant 'gays' picket church," World Net Daily, May 27, 2008 [https://www.wnd.com/2008/05/65352/].
5. Julia Taliesin, "Medford residents, officials protest church's ‘anti-LGBTQ' sign," Boston.com (Boston Globe), July 25, 2021 [https://www.boston.com/news/politics/2021/07/25/medford-protect-church-gender-identity-sign/].
6. Scott McDonald, "Regular Pro-Abortion Protest at Church Goes Viral After Roe v Wade Leak," Newsweek, May 8, 2022, updated May 31, 2024 [https://www.newsweek.com/regular-church-pro-abortion-protest-goes-viral-after-roe-v-wade-leak-1704635].
7. Anna Skinner, "Shadowy Group Jane's Revenge Claims Attacks on Anti-Abortion Targets," Newsweek, October 21, 2022 [https://www.newsweek.com/shadowy-group-janes-revenge-claims-attacks-anti-abortion-organizations-1753992].
8. Isabel Keane, Khristina Narizhnaya, and Chris Nesi, "Serial protesters disrupt Easter Mass at St. Patrick's with ‘Free Palestine' chants before cops haul them away," New York Post, March 31, 2024 [https://nypost.com/2024/03/31/us-news/protesters-calling-for-cease-fire-ambush-easter-vigil-at-st-patricks-cathedral-in-nyc/].
9. Staff, "Handling Protests at Your Church," Brotherhood Mutual, no date [https://www.brotherhoodmutual.com/resources/safety-library/risk-management-articles/buildings-and-property/building-security/handling-protests-at-your-church/].
10. Staff, "Preparing for Protestors," Secure Church, July 15, 2020 [https://www.securechurch.com/blog/preparing-for-protestors].
11. NC Baptist Communications, "How churches can prepare for and respond to demonstrations," N.C. Baptists, June 14, 2022 [https://ncbaptist.org/article/how-churches-can-prepare-for-and-respond-to-demonstrations/].
12. Kris Moloney, Church Security Guide, Security Articles, Sheepdog Church Security [https://sheepdog-church-security.thinkific.com/pages/security-articles?c=church-security-guide].
13. Kris Moloney, Sheepdog Articles [https://sheepdog-church-security.thinkific.com/pages/security-articles?c=church-security-guide].
14. Kris Moloney, "Behavioral Emergencies: Dealing with people in crisis," Sheepdog Church Security, Resources, © Copyright 2019 [https://sheepdog-church-security.ck.page/c225ce3542].