Ministry News

Did Your Church Make the Crimes List?

Details

Friday, 10 July 2009 10:42

If you don't think the recent string of church shootings, arsons, vandalisms and burglaries is affecting your local congregation, think again. For what's believed to be the first time in American history, an organization is keeping tabs on crimes specifically committed against churches and ministries, and it released its first report earlier this week.

In its "Crimes Against Christian Organizations in the United States" report, the Christian Security Network found that crimes committed against American churches have resulted in more than $6.3 million worth of property loss in the last six months. At least $2.3 million of that was a result of internal theft.

Of the 472 incidents of theft, vandalism and other criminal acts reported since January 2009, 17 were classified as violent crimes, with six of these resulting in homicides. Burglary accounted for 64 percent of all reported crimes against churches, while arson (13 percent) and general theft (7 percent) were the next two most common.

Despite the detailed account, Christian Security Network executive director Jeffrey Hawkins believes the report doesn't indicate the truth and estimates the real number of incidents to be between 2,500 and 3,000.

“It’s not mandatory that churches report these crimes to any governmental agency, which greatly contributes to the lack of data and statistics available on crimes against churches,” Hawkins says. “While we’ve attempted to put together a comprehensive report on these crimes, we also understand many churches do not report criminal activities because of their stance on forgiveness or fear of public embarrassment."

Hawkins and his organization continue to stress the importance of churches not only having a security plan, but also implementing basic security precautions.

“We frequently receive calls and e-mails from church members who are worried and frustrated that their church leadership is not more proactive about church security,” Hawkins says. “As a society, we protect businesses, schools, banks and other institutions. Now, more than ever, that same level of protection needs to be extended to churches and faith-based organizations.” [press release, 7/7/09]