Read time: Six minutes
A false fire alarm exposes Evergreen Hills Church’s risks, showing how self-inspection strengthens safety, stewardship, and ministry.
[DISCLAIMER]
The following story is a fictional scenario created for educational purposes. It is not based on real individuals or events but is designed to illustrate key lessons in church safety and risk management for Seventh-day Adventist congregations.
A Wake-Up Call at Evergreen Hills Adventist Church
It was a typical Sabbath morning at Evergreen Hills Adventist Church in suburban Ohio. Families greeted one another in the lobby, children dashed toward Sabbath School, and the worship team tuned instruments up front. Everything seemed perfectly normal—until the fire alarm suddenly blared.Members froze. Was it a drill? A malfunction? An actual emergency?
Deacons looked at each other, unsure of what to do next. One of the exits was blocked with stacked chairs from a midweek event. Some classrooms had no clear evacuation plan. Parents scrambled to locate their children, and visitors stood confused in the aisles.
Thankfully, there was no fire. A faulty sensor had triggered the alarm. But the chaos revealed something deeper: Evergreen Hills had never done a full safety self-inspection.
Later that week, Pastor Williams met with his board. “We prepare sermons with care,” he said, “but we haven’t prepared for the everyday risks that could endanger our people. We assumed everything was fine—until it wasn’t.”
That wake-up call became the spark for change.
Where the Gaps Were—and How They Closed Them
The false alarm exposed common risks many congregations face:- Physical Risks: Blocked exits, outdated equipment, no posted evacuation routes.
- Operational Risks: No clear roles for deacons or greeters during emergencies.
- Financial Oversight: No budget dedicated to safety or facility updates.
- Legal Risks: Unclear child check-in/check-out procedures, raising liability concerns.
The results were eye-opening:
- Fire extinguishers were expired
- No written child protection policy was on file.
- Insurance coverage hadn’t been reviewed in years, and leaders weren’t aware of what options were available to them.
- Several emergency exit routes were not clearly marked.
- Maintenance records for safety equipment had not been consistently updated.
From Weakness to Strength
Within months, Evergreen Hills:- Nominated a Safety Officer to lead and coordinate all safety efforts.
- Cleared and labeled all exit routes, with updated signage.
- Trained greeters and deacons on emergency response roles.
- Created a child check-in/check-out system for Sabbath School and VBS.
- Formed a Safety Committee to oversee inspections twice a year.
- Added a budget line for safety upgrades and training.
“Safety is discipleship,” Pastor Williams reflected. “When we care for a person’s well-being in practical ways, we show the love of Christ.”
A Message to Congregations Everywhere
Evergreen Hills’s story is a reminder that risks exist in every church—whether small towns, big cities, rural congregations, or suburban campuses. Churches that thrive are the ones that prepare.The big questions to ask are:
- Have we tested our emergency systems?
- Do we have policies to protect children and volunteers?
- Have we budgeted for risks before a crisis hits?
- Are we building a culture where safety is part of ministry, not separate from it?
Building Churches That Last
Self-inspection is more than a checklist. It’s a way for congregations to build trust, protect resources, and model good stewardship. For churches navigating everything from natural disasters to legal compliance, it’s a safeguard that strengthens both ministry and mission.Your church’s health tomorrow depends on the steps you take today.
