There is something wonderful about a church building that is busy. Doors opening and closing. Preschoolers in the hallway. Meetings and rehearsals and people stopping in just to sit in the quiet of the sanctuary for a few minutes. Trinity is a busy place where people come in, and I hope it always feels that way.
While we treasure that activity, we also know the realities of the world around us. Trinity is making some changes to our safety and security measures, and I want to share why.
Churches, much as we might wish otherwise, are not immune to the issues happening in the larger world. So we have been working with the Owatonna Police Department to take an honest look at our building and at how we care for the people inside it. They have made recommendations in three areas, and we are moving forward on all three.
None of this changes who we are. It is simply part of how we love our neighbor.
Entering through the east and north doors
Beginning Monday, November 2, everyone entering the building should come in through the east doors, which are our main entrance, or through the north doors. The south doors, down by the pastors’ offices, and the west doors will be kept locked at all times.
The reason is simple. When people come in through one of two entrances, we have a much better sense of who is in the building. That is good for our staff. It is good for our kids. And it is good for every guest who walks in and needs someone to point them toward the sanctuary.
Preschool families, nothing changes for you. The key fob you already have will continue to give you access to the south doors.
I know this will mean a longer walk for some of you, and I know that a locked door can feel like an unfamiliar thing at church. I understand that. But two doors where people are welcomed and noticed will serve us better than several doors that nobody is watching.
Three levels of response
In the unlikely event of a security incident, we now have three levels of response.
- Hold in place. Stay where you are, continue what you are doing, and wait for direction.
- Lock down. Secure the room you are in, get out of sight, and stay there.
- Evacuate. Leave the building by the designated route.
Three phrases. That is it. In a stressful moment, simple and shared language matters far more than a thick binder that nobody can remember.
We are still working on two pieces of this. The first is a system to communicate these levels quickly and clearly throughout the building. The second is deciding who will make that call if it ever becomes necessary. That work is underway, and we will keep you informed as it comes together.
Clear exit routes
Third, we are working to create easy and obvious paths for evacuating the building in an emergency.
If you have ever been inside a large building you did not know well, you know how quickly you can lose your bearings. Trinity is a big building. We want every single person in it, longtime member or first-time guest or four-year-old in preschool, to be able to find a way out without having to stop and figure it out.
Why we are doing this
I have come to believe that being prepared is itself a form of care. We are doing this because we love the people who walk through our doors and the staff who spend their days here. Preparation is not fear. It is stewardship of the people God has entrusted to us.
I am grateful to the Owatonna Police Department for working alongside us, and for helping us keep all of God’s people safe.
If you have questions, or concerns, or you just want to talk it through, please reach out to me. My door is always open. (You will just want to come in through the main doors!)
In God’s grace,
Pastor Todd
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