To Arm, or Not to Arm: For Black Church Leaders, That Is the Question

A small prayer circle formed near where police responded to a shooting at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., on June 17, 2015. A gunman opened fire that evening at the historic African-American church in downtown Charleston. REUTERS/Randall Hill

The leader of the National Baptist Convention, USA, says his member churches should “do everything that is humanly possible” to protect themselves — even if it means hiring armed guards.

But the head of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion denomination would rather churches call 911 if necessary.

After nine people were fatally shot at an African-American church in Charleston, S.C., and more than half a dozen black churches have burned, officials of mostly black denominations are taking different — and sometimes contradictory — approaches as they try to prepare for a safer future.

More than 1,000 people took part in a Department of Homeland Security webinar Wednesday (July 1) that emphasized measures to prepare for a range of crises.

The Rev. Barbara Williams-Skinner, co-chair of the National African American Clergy Network, tuned in to the webinar and heard advice on how congregations should connect with first responders.

“Some churches are doing that,” she said. “Others had not been and I think the Charleston church massacre helped people to understand that houses of worship that welcome strangers also have to be ready for strangers that mean harm.”

Leaders of the African Methodist Episcopal Church said the denomination is preparing congregations to “set up safety watches and take preventative measures to protect human life and physical assets.”

The Rev. Jerry Young, president of the National Baptist Convention, USA, said he will be advising members of his predominantly black denomination to take new measures, from installing interior and exterior video cameras to having office security systems buzz in visitors.

“We are in consultation even now with the experts to assist us in making sure we get to all of our constituent churches instruction, advice and suggestions as to how they can actually beef up security around the worship centers,” he said.

In his opinion, that can include armed guards.

But Bishop George Battle, the senior bishop of the AME Zion Church, doesn’t think guns should be an option.

“We’re not going to have any guns on our property to deal with that,” he said.

Referring to a verse from the Book of Isaiah that says “no weapon formed against you shall prosper,” he added: “We can’t preach one thing and do another.”

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SOURCE: Religion News Service
Adelle M. Banks