The Command Brief
Tactics, Philosophy, and Leadership Development.
I've Had to Apologize to My Pastor
I am going to tell on myself, because it is the most useful thing I can do for another safety team leader. I have had to apologize to my pastor. More than once. For overstepping, for pushing my agenda harder than the relationship could bear...
Failure to Train Is a Legal Doctrine, Not a Figure of Speech
When I say "failure to train," I am not reaching for a turn of phrase. It is a real and well-established legal doctrine. In the police world, it is one of the most common ways a department gets held liable after a use of force goes wrong.
Non-Negotiable and Repeating: Background Checks and Abuse-Awareness Training
If I could get every church in America to do two things, and only two things, it would be these: run a real background check on everyone who works with children or serves on the safety team, and put them through child sexual abuse awareness training. Then do both again, on a schedule, forever.
Quiet Professionals: Building a Team People Rise to Meet
The best compliment my safety team ever gets is that you would never know they are there. No tactical cosplay, no badges and attitude, no posturing in the lobby. Just calm, capable people who happen to be paying closer attention than everyone else. Quiet professionals.
The Biggest Threat to Your Team Is Its Own Ego
Most people think the biggest risk to a church safety team is the threat that walks through the door. After fourteen years, I will tell you the bigger risk is usually already on the team. It is ego.
Coach Before You Correct, Correct Before You Release
When one of your people is not meeting the standard, there is an order that serves well: coach before you correct, correct before you release.
The Leader Owns All the Problems
When something breaks on your team, it is a leadership failure before it is a volunteer failure. Extreme Ownership in a volunteer ministry.