Churchgoers are now signing up for ‘warrior training’ and arming themselves before heading into weekly services, as violent attacks in houses of worship surge nationwide. Sheepdog Church Security, founded by Kris Moloney in 2014, is one company that trains volunteer security and safety teams to protect houses of worship while keeping ‘faith at the center.’ When he first created the company, Moloney didn’t have much competition, but a decade later, church attacks are at an all-time high, and the protection industry is booming.
Moloney, who has a background in the military and law enforcement, initially ran a safety team at his church in Minnesota. Since then, he’s trained over 6,000 people in houses of worship nationwide. He told the Idaho Statesman, “You want it to be open and welcoming and so forth, and yet provide (the) safety and security needed. So those of us who do carry firearms, we do so on a concealed basis. We have the protection we need, and yet we’re not ostentatious about it.” The number of parishioners signing up for Moloney’s training has surged as religious institutions increasingly come under the threat of violent attack across America.
He said, “If you just Google ‘church security, there’ll be 100,000 hits.” The program offers a manual on safety drills for churches and helps build out what many call ‘safety ministries’ – a combination of armed and unarmed volunteers ready to respond to emergencies, be it a medical case requiring CPR or a shooter in the building. The ‘practical drill and scenario training’ manual consists of a hands-on approach to managing emergencies, from de-escalating disruptive situations to managing bomb threats and active shooter incidents. It also includes theoretical understanding and practical application, providing a holistic approach to safety training. His website and email list combine Christian and security imagery, featuring Bible quotes alongside advice on defending against violent intruders.
His advertisements include images of a handgun atop a Holy Bible, as he is billed as a “Protector of the People and Guardian of the Church.” Churches nationwide are also implementing security training among pastors and congregants. In Tennessee, one church held active shooter training for church pastors, and in Houston, spiritual leaders started getting security training after the Lakewood Church shooting. Leaders at Clays Mill Baptist Church in Kentucky have also organized a security conference.
Idaho, in particular, has seen a significant increase in these teams, with residents reacting to threats against churches nationwide. There is no standardization for volunteer security teams, leading each service to vary in makeup. However, consultants like Moloney offer advice on best practices, often drawing on law enforcement procedures adapted to the unique needs of churches. Steve Boyle, coordinator of the safety team at Canyon Springs Christian Church, praised Moloney’s training for focusing on the specific security needs of churches, which often rely on volunteers.
A Family Research Council study found acts of hostility against churches more than doubled between 2022 and 2023, while violent attacks on houses of worship nearly tripled from 2018 to 2019. FEMA, which offers security grants to nonprofits, saw a steep rise in Idaho organizations applying for funds this year, including several Christian organizations for the first time.