The Spiritual Calling of Safety in the Church
Estimated Read Time: Six minutes
The Safety Officer’s role is more than a title—it’s a calling. Explore how stewardship, compassion, and faith come together to make safety a true ministry within your church.
Disclaimer: The following story is fictional but based on real-world scenarios and experiences gathered from church safety officers, incident reports, and ARM’s collected data. It is designed to illustrate key principles of the Safety Officer ministry.
The Day That Changed Everything
It happened in seconds. A child broke free from their parent's hand and darted toward the busy parking lot after church. Brother Mark, a deacon, was nearby and managed to stop the child just before a car came around the corner. The parents were shaken. Mark was shaken. And as the adrenaline wore off, a thought began to form: What if I hadn't been there? What if we weren't so lucky next time?Mark realized this wasn't just about protecting "a church" in a general sense. This was about protecting his church—his spiritual family. These were people he worshiped with, prayed with, served alongside, and shared meals with. This was the community God had placed him in, and he wanted them to be safe.
So, when the Safety Officer Joni later asked him to join the safety committee, Mark knew it wasn't about a title. It was about safeguarding the family of faith that God had entrusted to him.
A Ministry of Stewardship
The Safety Officer’s work is grounded in the biblical principle of stewardship. Just as the shepherd guards the flock (John 10:11–15), the Safety Officer safeguards the physical well-being of the church family so that ministry can thrive.- Protecting People – Recognizing that every member and guest is a soul entrusted to the church’s care.
- Preserving Ministry – Ensuring that worship, fellowship, and outreach happen in a safe environment.
- Preparing for the Unexpected – Demonstrating faith through readiness, not fear.
Safety is a form of hospitality. When people feel secure, they can focus on worship.— From “The Ministry of the Safety Officer,” Adventist Risk Management, Solutions Newsletter
Called, Not Just Appointed
While the position may be voted by a nominating committee, the calling is deeper. A true Safety Officer:- Sees safety as a form of service to God.
- Balances vigilance with compassion.
- Leads by example in preparedness and calm under pressure.
A Bridge Between Ministry and Protection
Safety is not separate from ministry—it enables it. The Safety Officer’s role touches every area:- Worship Services – Ensuring entrances and exits are accessible, ushers are trained, and the environment is calm.
- Children’s Ministries – Verifying check-in/check-out procedures, safe spaces, and volunteer screening.
- Community Outreach – Planning for crowd safety, weather concerns, and medical emergencies.
Your Ministry Mindset
- Pray for Protection and Wisdom – Begin each Sabbath asking God to guide your eyes and heart.
- See People, Not Just Risks – Remember the goal is care, not control.
- Communicate with Grace – How you deliver safety messages matters.
- Lead with Service – Be visible and approachable, not just authoritative.
A Calling Worth Answering
When you embrace the Safety Officer role as ministry, you’re not just keeping order—you’re helping create a space where your church family can worship without distraction or harm. That is both a privilege and a responsibility.Next Step: Ask yourself, How is God calling me to shepherd my church’s safety? Then take one step this week—introduce yourself to a ministry leader, walk the church property with fresh eyes, and pray over the spaces where people gather.
