Pastor Shot Dead in Pulpit

While preaching at his 8 a.m. service yesterday Pastor Fred Winters was shot dead in the pulpit of First Baptist Church of Maryville, Illinois. According to reports, he was shot three times and other shots may have been fired had the gun not apparently jammed. The assailant then pulled a knife and injured himself and other congregants until he was forcibly subdued. No motive has yet been determined.

A statement released by the church said, “Please pray for Dr. Winter’s family, our two brave members who were injured when they stopped the assailant, for the assailant himself and his family, and for our church members as they deal with this tragic loss. . . . To those who believe in the power of prayer, we covet your prayers right now.”

I have to admit that the thought of this sort of thing happening pops into my head each time I give a stranger a ride to church for the first time or to any number of places that I have offered to take someone when they enter our church looking for assistance. Normally the people I encounter are very nice and appreciate the help, but there have been a few that have caused me to wonder about my own safety.

Pastors by nature are typically quick to offer assistance to those in need, but I'm afraid that the horrible reality experienced by the congregation at First Baptist Church of Maryville is a reminder of what can happen if we're not careful. The Bible teaches that we ought to be innocent as doves when we care for others, but also wise as serpents when it comes to this world. Unfortunately, and please don't interpret this as a criticism of the church leaders or congregation at Dr. Winters' church, but we as pastors are much too dove like when it comes to thinking about church security and the safety of our congregations.

Mark Driscoll at Mars Hill Church has posted some important questions about church security that we all should consider in order to protect our church leaders and members - check it out and, please, be in prayer for the Winters' family and First Baptist Church.