Question for those who go to church?

[FlyerBoy]

I was just wondering if your church has a Security/Parking Lot Ministry? If your church does do you think it is a good idea or bad? Even if your church doesn't have one tell me what you think of the idea.


The real reason I am doing this is because I am writing a letter to the pastorial staff of my church about starting this ministry and would like to get others oppinions to help me create the letter.

all comments are welcomed.

God Bless,
Jacob

[Scorcher505]

Could you please clarify what that is?

[JDIBe]

Depends on your neighborhood and if anyone has had their cars broken into or not. If so, then maybe it's needed. If not, your presence might be needed in worship that hour.

[Godslilgurlalways]

I was just wondering if your church has a Security/Parking Lot Ministry? If your church does do you think it is a good idea or bad? Even if your church doesn't have one tell me what you think of the idea.


The real reason I am doing this is because I am writing a letter to the pastorial staff of my church about starting this ministry and would like to get others oppinions to help me create the letter.

all comments are welcomed.

God Bless,
Jacob
I my church doesn't have one.It would depend on the area that you live in, if you live in a bad area I would suggest having it, in these last and evil days there are crimnals coming in and robbing churches. I think if the church is in or area a good neighborhood than I would think it's not needed:)

[FlyerBoy]

Okay this is going a little more into detail.

My church is located in a city that is known to have lots of drugies and drunkards. It also has had its share of automobile break in's and thefts. We have had somethings stollen from the property already before. We actually haven't been in this building that long yet either. But the last church that was here had car break ins and stuff.

So what I do is usually Saturday nights while service is going on, I patrol the Parking lot. I decided to start doing this about two months ago and feel it makes the attenders have less of a worry by me doing this. I feel it will help benefit bringing in more people that are non believers.

I usually attend the Sunday morning service to listen to the message. Since they are the same I really am not missing out on much Saturday evenings.

[FlyerBoy]

I got another question to ask.

If there was a security ministry starting up at your church what would you want it to cover. Would you want it to just cover that outside stuff and Parking. Or is there something else you would like to see.

I am presenting this letter tomorrow to my Pastor and I don't feel I have enough in the letter yet so still looking for ideas.

[whateveristrue]

What exactly does a security ministry look like? If you caught someone breaking into a car, how would you minister to that person?

[FlyerBoy]

Well the Security Ministry would be ministering to the church attendees really. By making them feel safe and welcomed. (This is my take on it at least. I am still trying to figure out exactly what the security Ministry would be doing and where it would be serving exactly)

[seekthetruth909]

Well the Security Ministry would be ministering to the church attendees really. By making them feel safe and welcomed. (This is my take on it at least. I am still trying to figure out exactly what the security Ministry would be doing and where it would be serving exactly)
I have a friend in that ministry. I will email him and get back to you.

God Bless

[FlyerBoy]

Hey that is cool. Thanks.

[Kelly]

Definitely bring it up. This is a common type of ministry. Poeple want to feel safe and secure, and this added presence will assure people.

They also are helpful in directing traffic if you have two services back to back on Sunday - getting the incoming cars to the right place and the exiting cars out the right way to maximize the parking lot.

[Kelly]

What exactly does a security ministry look like? If you caught someone breaking into a car, how would you minister to that person?

Ministry in terms of caring for the needs of the church. If they hand the thief a bible and tell him the Good News, that's mission work! ;)

Christian churches in Iraq now require an armed guard "ministry" to prevent attacks/bombers from blowing up the service.

[Zecryphon]

"I was just wondering if your church has a Security/Parking Lot Ministry?"

What is a Security/Parking Lot Ministry? Is it just having a fund for a bigger parking lot or a secure parking lot? If that's what it is, why are you calling this a ministry? Can't the church enact a program wtihout it being called a ministry?

[FlyerBoy]

"I was just wondering if your church has a Security/Parking Lot Ministry?"

What is a Security/Parking Lot Ministry? Is it just having a fund for a bigger parking lot or a secure parking lot? If that's what it is, why are you calling this a ministry? Can't the church enact a program wtihout it being called a ministry?

Okay Maybe it shouldn't be called a ministry. But I call it a ministry because the Security/Parking "Team" would be the first people that church goers see. So they are the first people who can talk to and make guests feel welcome.

[Kelly]

It's common to call things that assist/support the Body (i.e. the Church) as ministry. No big deal

The support doesn't have to be spiritual in nature.

[ranyhyn]

"I was just wondering if your church has a Security/Parking Lot Ministry?"

What is a Security/Parking Lot Ministry? Is it just having a fund for a bigger parking lot or a secure parking lot? If that's what it is, why are you calling this a ministry? Can't the church enact a program wtihout it being called a ministry?

I believe that what the OP is talking about is also kind of like a welcoming committee. It's not like they want to hold services out in the parking lot. They won't be taking up a collection to do anything. It would be something along the lines of a group of people monitoring the parking lot as others are coming in to worship. Those going inside can then feel more comfortable that their cars and other items are most likely not going to be harmed or stolen. Gives them peace of mind.

That could a ministry of sorts. As the last person mentioned...ministering doesn't necessarily mean that they're preaching the Word to someone. Your ministry might be cleaning the toilets so that when visitors come to your church they see a clean bathroom. Nobody likes to visit somewhere that isn't clean. And if I went to a church and when I came out my car was gone or every time I went there something got stolen....well guess what...I wouldn't be coming back often or not at all.

[CrazyforYeshua]

We have our ushers kinda keep an eye on the parking lot, and patrol the halls during service. We had our rider lawn mower stolen (less than a month old) from the shed. Pastor has lived in town long enough, the police use our lot to sit in on other nights of the week, so we don't have to worry any other day.

[whateveristrue]

It's common to call things that assist/support the Body (i.e. the Church) as ministry. No big deal

The support doesn't have to be spiritual in nature.
True, but the "ministers" do need to be Christians and mission minded. Not just anyone will do...

[jsimms615]

I was just wondering if your church has a Security/Parking Lot Ministry? If your church does do you think it is a good idea or bad? Even if your church doesn't have one tell me what you think of the idea.


The real reason I am doing this is because I am writing a letter to the pastorial staff of my church about starting this ministry and would like to get others oppinions to help me create the letter.

all comments are welcomed.

God Bless,
Jacob
I think it would be a great idea to put greeters out in the parking lot area. The church I was ordained at had the deacons greeting people at the back door and at the entrance to the sanctuary. It would help with guests finding where they need to go and not getting lost and feeling welcome.
Security might be an issue depending on where you live and if there is vandalism or theft while people are in church.

[white dove]

So what I do is usually Saturday nights while service is going on, I patrol the Parking lot. I decided to start doing this about two months ago and feel it makes the attenders have less of a worry by me doing this. I feel it will help benefit bringing in more people that are non believers.


This sounds like a really great idea, but I'm hoping that you'll get more brothers soon that are going to help you out with that. It doesn't seem like a safe situation to be in where you are the lone patrolman out there -at night, no less. There would definately be outreach possibilities there...but please be safe about it.


I got another question to ask.

If there was a security ministry starting up at your church what would you want it to cover. Would you want it to just cover that outside stuff and Parking. Or is there something else you would like to see.


Do you have inner-city ministry opportunities at your church? I'm not a part of an inner-city church, but we offer outreach services to those who do.

Perhaps, I didn't make much sense right there. :scratch:

[Boxmaker]

I think it is miss-leading to call it a minestry. Doesn't the Bible say that if a brother steals your shirt you should also give him your coat? We get pretty attached to our stuff but its just stuff and it can be replaced. Doesn't, ultimatly, everything belong to God.

It may be a be a nice jesture and it may help people feel more secure but I don't think it is a minestry.

Godd bless you.

[white dove]

It is an opportunity that could well turn into an outreach ministry, if God's leading the call to do so.

[FlyerBoy]

I appreciate everything that was asked and have come up with the letter. It turned out really good.

If you would like to see the letter feel free to PM me I will be happy to send it to you.

God Bless,
Jacob

[FlyerBoy]

January 9, 2007

Pastor Thom

Dear Pastor Thom,
To start off, I just want to thank you for everything. Thank you for the security vests and the flashlights purchased to help out with the parking lot stuff.

So for the past couple of weeks, I have been asking God what he wants to do with this security/parking lot duty. I feel that God is trying to tell me to continue with it and he is leading me to recruiting more people to help. I have purposely not done the security on Saturday nights once or twice, and felt that this is something that is truly needed.

I feel God wanted me to sit down and write out what the Security Team is and what its duty’s may include. So in the couple paragraphs you will read about my ideas on the Security Team.

After a lot of thought and prayer this is what I came up with.
Security Team is a Ministry devoted to protecting the churchgoers in any ways possible.

I personally feel that guests that come to our church and see the Security Team in the parking lot would have one less thing to worry about. They wouldn’t have to worry about their car or the objects in the car.

The Security Team isn’t only watching the cars either. They would periodically check on classrooms and offices to insure that no one is there that shouldn’t be there.

The Security Team can possibly provide services for other church gatherings. Which may include but is not limited to: CR, CR Teens, Children’s Ministry, Real Men’s Fellowship, Youth Group, 101, 201, 301, Team Barnabas.

Requirements for Security Team:
· Must be 18 or older
· Must be a member of the church
· If asked must be able to pass a background check

These are the main requirements for the Security Team.

I feel this Ministry will help churchgoers feel more relaxed while inside. This ministry will also help lighten the load of what Ushers and Greeters are asked to do.

The reason for this letter is to ask if we can make Security it’s own ministry. I feel it is really needed especially since we have had things stolen off church property in the past.

God Bless,
Jacob Hirning

[Zecryphon]

Okay Maybe it shouldn't be called a ministry. But I call it a ministry because the Security/Parking "Team" would be the first people that church goers see. So they are the first people who can talk to and make guests feel welcome.
If that's true, are you firing your greeters then? My former church had parking lot "services", I guess you could call them. They'd have people drive a golf cart around the parking lot picking up the elderly people and bringing them to the main entrance of the church campus, so they wouldn't have to walk a great distance. It's the job of a greeter to welcome people to the church, answer questions and be generally helpful. In the old days, the greeter would also witness to you if it was your first time to church, they don't do that anymore, though.

[FlyerBoy]

If that's true, are you firing your greeters then? My former church had parking lot "services", I guess you could call them. They'd have people drive a golf cart around the parking lot picking up the elderly people and bringing them to the main entrance of the church campus, so they wouldn't have to walk a great distance. It's the job of a greeter to welcome people to the church, answer questions and be generally helpful. In the old days, the greeter would also witness to you if it was your first time to church, they don't do that anymore, though.

No we would still have our greeters. This will just lighten the load of our greeters. The greeters are still at the doors.

[Kelly]

Looking at your letter, I think this has been very well thought out, especially for a 19 year old (no offense!). Is your Church's body willing to volunteer for helps/ministries readily?

[FlyerBoy]

Looking at your letter, I think this has been very well thought out, especially for a 19 year old (no offense!). Is your Church's body willing to volunteer for helps/ministries readily?

Yeah my church is pretty good about that. Not everyone in the church is available to do so but I would say 20-25% are active in some way in the church.

[tapero]

Dear Flyerboy,

Wow, you are awesome! You saw a need and sought God and His people and put together what your vision for this ministry is.

I just want to commend you for that. You are a neat and a humble guy. May God bless the ministry He has given you.

Tapero

[InServicetoGod]

None of the churches I attend have one, it does not seem to be a need at this time. I have known of churches who have people who stand outside and sirect traffic in to parking areas, to help keep things moving, but none of the churches I currently attend do anything like this.

[genestealerbroodlord]

We dont do it for normal meetings but we have special meetings ones or twice a year and usually get 2 members to patrol the outside of the building at these times as we usually have quite a few visitors.

Each pair usually patrols for half an hour before another pair of brothers take over, so on and so on, till the meetings are over. We thought of doing it for normal meeting but havnt decided yet.

[YourNameIsHoly]

As far as I know, our church does not have one.
But, it isn't really in a bad area.

[Nadiine]

I was just wondering if your church has a Security/Parking Lot Ministry? If your church does do you think it is a good idea or bad? Even if your church doesn't have one tell me what you think of the idea.

The real reason I am doing this is because I am writing a letter to the pastorial staff of my church about starting this ministry and would like to get others oppinions to help me create the letter.


Most of the churches I've attended had volunteer parking lot assistants. They aren't professional security companies or anything.
They don't carry weapons, etc.

But they do help guide traffic into the parking lot & some work as crossing guards where the street meets foot traffic in some church lots/streets.

So those parking attendands kind of keep watch over the lots during service & help keep traffic going in & out between services as the next service starts.

I think it's a good idea to have maybe 2 people watching over the parking lot during services. yes. I can't say as I'd think it's imperative tho, imo.
:wave: