Protect Church Property
Crime, theft, and vandalism on church property are serious concerns for any ministry. Losses may involve church assets, offerings, or tithes, and even a small incident can affect a church’s ability to serve its congregation and community. Fortunately, churches can take practical steps to reduce risk, prevent loss, and protect both church property and finances.
Protect Church Property with a Security System
Visible security measures often discourage criminals from targeting a church property. A monitored security system can help by:
- Triggering alarms when a breach occurs.
- Notifying church leadership and/or law enforcement.
- Using decals, window stickers, cameras, and wall-mounted equipment to warn potential criminals that the property is protected.
- Signaling that church leadership is attentive, prepared, and proactive about security.
Secure Church Property
Lock Up the Property
- Lock windows and doors in all unoccupied buildings.
- Maintain strong key control, especially during employee or volunteer turnover.
- Secure ladders, tools, and flammable materials at the end of each day.
Light the Property
- Illuminate exterior buildings, doors, walkways, and parking lots from sunset to sunrise.
- Keep interior entry lights on overnight where appropriate.
- Install motion-activated lights near doors, windows, and other vulnerable access points.
Maintain the Grounds
- Trim shrubs and trees around windows and doors to eliminate hiding places.
- Remove trash, debris, and combustible materials from church property.
Encourage Watchful Support
- Establish a “Church Watch” program with volunteers who monitor the property and report suspicious activity.
- Encourage neighbors to notify church leadership or law enforcement if they see unusual activity.
Partner with Law Enforcement
- Build a positive relationship with local police.
- Ask officers to patrol the property at varying times when possible.
- Share regular worship times, office hours, and other key schedules so officers understand normal activity patterns.
Establish Financial Safeguards
Clear procedures reduce the risk of theft, misuse, or embezzlement and help demonstrate faithful stewardship.
Protect Offerings During Collection
- Train ushers to safeguard tithes and offerings during and after collection.
- Encourage ushers to watch for suspicious activity and communicate clearly with one another.
- Establish a collection team and rotate team members weekly or monthly.
Control Access to Funds
- Run background checks or review financial references for volunteers or employees who handle church funds.
- Require two unrelated people to count and secure offerings.
- Count collection money in a locked room.
- Keep funds in a safe until they can be deposited at the bank.
- If your church receives online tithes or donations, ask your insurance agent whether your church has appropriate cyber coverage.
Separate Duties and Strengthen Oversight
- Separate responsibilities among the counting team, treasurer, and financial secretary.
- Assign bank reconciliation to someone who does not write checks.
- Establish a finance committee to review church financial reports regularly.
- Consider hiring an outside CPA to conduct an annual review of church finances.
We thank GuideOne Insurance Agency.
We thank Southern Mutual Church Insurance for this information.
More Helpful Tips: Develop a Church Security Plan