Ministry News

Pistol-Packing Pentecostal Pastor Reloads

Details: Tuesday, 13 October 2009 13:34

Remember Ken Pagano, the Pentecostal pastor from Kentucky who caught the national media's eye in June for hosting a "God and Guns" event at his church? Apparently this firearms thing wasn't just a hobby for him. After nearly 30 years in the ministry, Pagano recently resigned as pastor of New Bethel Church in Louisville, Ky., to concentrate on a ministry that addresses how the Second Amendment affects churches today.

"Churches are very soft targets and very vulnerable to attack from terrorists and other homegrown, disgruntled individuals," Pagano said. "Unfortunately, most religious leaders are living in denial."

He hopes to change that by preaching a message of security to congregations across the nation and says he can "do more from outside the pulpit than from behind it." Pagano has already formed the International Security Coalition of Clergy with New York Rabbi Gary Moskowitz, who has worked for years to protect synagogues from terrorist attacks. The organization believes every church should at least have a small team of individuals trained to use firearms and equipped if necessary.

As expected, not everyone agrees. "I've got no problems with any institution, whether it's a business or a church, hiring professional, trained security people who know the risks," said Paul Helmke, president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. "What I do have serious concerns about is the idea that a private individual, just because they're a gun owner, can be a security guard just by carrying a gun to church. … Maybe [Pagano] should be more concerned about the Fifth Commandment than the Second Amendment."

Pagano doesn't believe it's a contradiction of faith for church members to carry weapons as a means of defense, and in light of increasing church violence, he's adamant about believers being better prepared. "People have this idea that Christians have to turn the other cheek," he said. "That's true, but I don't think there's anything in the Old or New Testament that requires them to roll over and die if someone attacks them or their family." [washingtontimes.com, 10/12/09]

Subscribe to Ministry Today magazine

Comments

+1 #11 Roger 2009-10-20 09:06

Jesus was a pacifist . Are you trying to be like Jesus . Would you really shot someone and send them straight to hell . Im not condemning im just saying you dont know

Quote

+1 #10 Michael A 2009-10-20 08:32

What! Bring your guns to church? How about challenging people to bring their bibles first to church?

Quote

-1 #9 Karvelis Flowers 2009-10-16 20:45

Why do we need to carry pistols and guns and weapons in the house of God? I believe that God will protect us. just call me simple.I believe that in this time God will cover us regardless wither we have protection. The word states that we are sheep being ready to be slaughtered(excuse my paraphrase). If that's the way to go, the we would have died for the Glory of God! If it's not our time than no weapon that is formed will prosper. Look at John Hagee. Bullets went through him will preaching a morning service. We have to be like the 3 Hebrew Boys. We know that our God is able to deliver us and if He chooses not to, then we know that He still has all power! I don't mean to sound mean but we have to trust God and not our pistols. Elisha prayed for the army around the mountain to be smote with blindness because he knew that they that are with us are more than they that are against us! (2Kings 6:8-22) If God be for us, who can be against us? No one! Let God be true and every man a liar!

Quote

+1 #8 Jonna Allen 2009-10-14 11:22

The church really needs to wake up! Yes, I always heard my parents talk about how sinners were too afraid to curse in a church, or shoot dice on the grounds..let alone kill somebody! These evil people have NO FEAR of God at all now!.They will walk in and shoot innocent people for NO reason! They DO believe that christians are just passive wimps anyway, so they feel no hesitation! We have embraced such a gloppy, goopy, passive, super sweet mentality in the name of "christian love", to where we roll over like little puppies when someone full of satan can do whatever evil that they want! Now I do not believe that we should be hateful and cruel in the name of holiness, but there are times where we have to confront cold blooded evil with a powerful defense for ourselves and our loved ones. There is kind love, and tough love! There are times to tell the painful truth in love when preaching, and a time to let a skilled marksman take out someone who dares to harm us! CHURCH HAS CHANGED!

Quote

-1 #7 R. Rockwell 2009-10-13 23:10

I don't see how this article effects the cause of Christ. I certainly don't see how this is aligned with your mission statement. http://www.ministrytodaymag.com/index.php/about-us

Quote

-2 #6 Stuart 2009-10-13 16:46

You need to think closely about what you report. People like this are so far from Evangelical Christianity that I wonder why you have a story about this topic at all. Better that they receive no publicity at all, surely.

Quote

-2 #5 Lover of Souls 2009-10-13 11:11

This is what you want to spend you call from God doing??? WOW... I guess I can't judge, but I'd rather "preach Christ and Him crucified" than "go get your guns and bring them to the service!"

I don't know that my calling from God is for everyone but God ahs told me NO POLITICS. The church as a political action committee has brought demise on the church and hatred from our communities. Instead of trying to teach everyone the "right" way to live, why don't we try bringing people to the "one who gives life". Let's put down this idol and REALLY start to make some significant culture change in our schools, governments and neighborhoods.

I love you guys, and I'm sorry to disagree, but this story made me very sad. We're all big on John 3:16, let's start living John 3:17 that God did not come to condemn the world but to restore right relationship with a loving Father!

Quote

-1 #4 Linda Zimmerman 2009-10-13 11:11

As the Mayor of Fort Wayne, I never thought much of his leadership either! He was for GUN CONTROL all the way and that's why he is working with the Brady Campaign to control guns. Consider the source! I believe that all Christians better be ready to defend our churches and our families! :-?

Quote

+2 #3 Hilda 2009-10-13 10:32

Wellllllllll, now I haven't read anywhere that Jesus was armed, but His disciples most certainly appear to have been. Luke 22:49 says; "When they which were about Him saw what would follow, they said unto Him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword"? So obviously they had swords. Then we know what happened next--one of them (His disciples) smote the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. On the other hand, in Matthew 26:52 we read that when this incident happened, Jesus said; "...put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword". I pray that the wisdom of God would prevail in any threatening circumstance. And I do believe there are those times one may need to defend self and loved ones from deadly bodily harm.

Quote

+2 #2 Raymond Johnson 2009-10-13 09:46

I am proud of this minister that is taking the next step going into an area that is out of the norm for most Christians teaching what we should be doing as it applies today. The church must wake up and get involved today.

I recently founded a ministry teaching biblical princibles of civil govement and our role as christians in public policy. Its time to educate, motivate and activeate the body of christ in civil goverment and public policy and cultural issues.

God bless the efforts of this pastor, I would love to talk with him and work together. www.BCMaction.com

Quote

Refresh comments list
RSS feed for comments to this post