April 3, 2023
Written by Craig Cable, Director of Ministry Safety, ACG Colorado
Once again, we find ourselves in a state of shock, grief, anger, and loss after another school shooting, this time in a K-6 Christian school in Nashville, TN. While details are still emerging about the incident, I want to take the opportunity to respond to questions or concerns that may be swirling around your church or school.
As a father, husband, and son, my heart breaks for the families who lost their children and loved ones. However, as a security team leader, professional tactics trainer, and member of law enforcement, I don't have the luxury of simply processing my emotions and grieving the loss. Rather, I am compelled to compartmentalize the incident into timelines, tactics, and lessons learned. If anything positive can come out of this tragedy, it's that we can use the experience to learn and prepare to help prevent the next tragedy from occurring.
The following is a breakdown of the events that occurred at Covenant Christian School on March 27, 2023. I have included some of my thoughts and questions for you to consider as we strive to learn from this senseless act of violence.
The Arrival and Entering the School
The shooter pulled into the parking lot of the school at 9:53 am. Approximately 17 minutes later, at 10:10 am, they entered the main entrance of the school by breaching the glass doors with several shots fired from one of two rifles they were carrying. I believe that the need to breach the doors most likely saved lives. Shots being fired probably alerted faculty to the attack, which may have also resulted in the deployment of the alarm system. Had the doors been unlocked, the shooter would have most likely walked into the building unchallenged, catching more teachers and students by surprise and unprepared.
Thoughts to consider:
The Attack
The first 911 call came to the Metro Nashville Police Department dispatch center at 10:13 am. Once inside the building, surveillance footage from interior cameras observed the shooter moving purposefully in and around the hallways and the office area of the school. The body language of this individual indicated that they had a single focus in mind, which was to find individuals to kill. Based on the video, it appeared that most students and faculty were either safely barricaded in their rooms or potentially evacuating out another door.
Thoughts to consider:
Law Enforcement Response
If you have watched the body camera footage of the two officers who responded to the attack at the school, you are seeing textbook active shooter response tactics in action. You will see the officers quickly assemble a two or three-man entry team. Their communications are concise and deliberate as they work together as a team. Their movements in clearing the initial rooms of threats are efficient and methodical. Once the gunfire was heard, their response to the second floor was expedient and coordinated. The tactics they used to position an officer with a specific weapon in the lead to stop the threat were all consistent with the training that patrol officers received. I have received much of the same training that these patrol officers had, and their tactics were spot on. Without a doubt, their training and speed of action saved lives.
Thoughts to consider:
Reunifying Families
As details continue to emerge, we are hearing stories of teachers who sheltered their children in closets and even evacuated them into the surrounding woods to ensure their safety. Imagine the terror, dread, and confusion felt by the parents as they begin to arrive at the school, not knowing if their child is safe or not. Reunifying children with their parents is the next important step once the crisis is over. This is a process that needs to be managed carefully and compassionately.
Here are some thoughts to consider:
I think it is clear to us all that had it not been for the heroics of the teachers and staff and the expedient response of law enforcement, this attack could have been far worse. This school had invested time and effort into developing its emergency response plan and had received training to help ensure that everyone could execute the plan when needed. Their preparation and actions bought them precious minutes that allowed law enforcement to respond and end the threat.
Brotherhood Mutual understands the need for ministries to be prepared and has created an entire online safety library filled with best practices, checklists, and training videos. They also have specialized coverages that we put on every policy to help a ministry heal and rebuild after a tragedy.
Our prayers are with the families impacted by this senseless act, and our hearts are with all of the Christian schools that we serve who may be feeling anxious or ill-prepared. As your risk management partner, please know that we're not only here to help you navigate the process of safeguarding your ministry, but we stand alongside you in the important role you play in helping our children come to know and love Jesus in a world that desperately needs him.
Craig is a sworn peace officer and serves as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff for the patrol division at the Larimer County Sheriff's Office. has trained hundreds of security team leaders and volunteers and was the lead developer of the Safe and Secure & Church: The Ministry Approach training kit produced in partnership with Group Publishing and Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company.
If you have further questions about protecting your ministry, please feel free to reach out to me at ccable@americanchurchgroup.com.
Copyright. © 2023 American Church Group of Colorado, LLC. All rights reserved. The information in this article is intended to help your ministry better understand issues of vulnerability and mitigate risks.? It does not constitute legal advice between an attorney and a client. If specific legal advice is required, your ministry is encouraged to consult with a local attorney. Neither Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company, American Church of Colorado, LLC, nor the author assumes liability for reliance upon the information provided in this article.
One positive aspect of today’s challenged economy is the availability of underutilized or empty commercial space. Before your ministry takes the plunge into a lease agreement, we want to make sure you're well-informed and prepared to avoid some common pitfalls.
In this month's perspective on the insurance market, I wanted to talk about the massive upward trending we are seeing in cancellation of policies. Our agency has observed a remarkable surge in inquiries from churches not currently under our insurance coverage. These churches are facing non-renewal by their existing carriers, a trend that has expanded beyond the norm of non-renewals due to excessive losses. Instead, carriers are now opting not to renew based on the risk profile of the ministry, which encompasses factors like geography, insured value, and construction type.
There are so many insurance policies to consider when it comes to protecting your ministry, and keeping track of each one’s coverages can be a mind-numbing task. One that I often hear confusion about is the Excess Liability policy, more commonly referred to as an Umbrella. While these terms aren’t exactly interchangeable in the broader insurance world, they do have a lot of overlap. For purposes of understanding your Brotherhood Mutual policy, they are basically synonymous.
In recent times, our team has observed a growing demand for key man life insurance, particularly within the realm of church leadership. Pastors are the spiritual pillars of their congregations, providing guidance, support, and a sense of community. While their spiritual contributions are invaluable, it's equally important to consider their financial well-being and the stability of the church should an unforeseen tragedy occur.
The holiday season is fast approaching, and it's time to prepare for the festive cheer, delicious food, twinkling lights, and heartwarming gatherings. But amidst all the joy and celebration, let's take a moment to reflect on something essential - the well-being of our ministry leaders.
Water damage due to plumbing leaks and frozen pipes is a leading cause of property claims for ministries. The damage is often made worse because ministry buildings are typically not in use every day. Last year, nearly 1,000 Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company customers were impacted. To help protect ministries from experiencing costly water damage and disruptions, Brotherhood Mutual® recommends FloLogic, a comprehensive solution that can detect even the smallest water leak and automatically shut off the water to prevent flooding.
Let's take a stroll down memory lane to 1938 when General Electric made a groundbreaking move by introducing fluorescent tubes to the world. Even though the technology had been brewing since the late 1880s, it took time and the genius of several inventors to make it shine as a practical product.
We are living in a day and age of tremendous uncertainty. Like Joseph in Egypt, the physical world is incredibly unpredictable.
In the ever-changing realm of finances, the past few years have brought forth a whirlwind of alterations. Looking ahead, the next five years promise their fair share of surprises and uncertainties.
In the dynamic landscape of today's world, managing the HR needs of any ministry can be a complex and ever-changing endeavor. Whether you're dealing with sensitive situations that demand careful handling to avoid legal entanglements or aiming to proactively establish risk management strategies, the journey can be demanding.
As we gear up for the upcoming school season, it's a fantastic opportunity to take a closer look at the coverage we offer to our beloved students and dedicated volunteers.
Are you tired of constantly hearing about rising expenses? It seems like every time I turn around, whether it's at the grocery store, the gas station, or even dealing with insurance, I'm faced with the reality of higher costs.
Let's face it, the world is constantly changing, and it's fascinating to witness the rapid evolution happening around us. Some futurists even predict that in the next two decades, the rate of change could be four times what it is today, and an astounding 16 times in 40 years.