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Enroll in the Sheepdog Church Security Academy Safety Member Certification Program

Church security teams usually consist of every-day volunteers: men and women who are passionate about doing all they can to protect their congregation from natural and man-made threats, but who are not professionally trained in law enforcement, military defense, or medical emergency skills.

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SemperVerus highly recommends the Sheepdog Church Security Academy Safety Member Certification program as an excellent online training curriculum that prepares volunteers to handle the full spectrum of threats churches face today—emergency response, disruptive persons, violent intruders, and abuse. Students gain practical skills rooted in legal clarity, real-world tactics, and biblical values.

Bill of Rights Anniversary September 25, 1789

The United States Declaration of Independence excerpt: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Important US Dates to Commemorate ]

The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States begins: “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” (Read the Presidential Proclamation: Constitution Week.)

[ Read SemperVerus articles on the topic of SPIRITUAL FITNESS ]

The first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution comprise the Bill of Rights. Passed by Congress on September 25, 1789 (and officially ratified December 15, 1791), these God-bestowed civil rights (that are “self-evident truths,” that “provide for the common defence,” are “the Blessings of Liberty,” and are “unalienable Rights” endowed by our Creator) place strict limitations on government power over American citizens.

Church Security Demands a Higher Standard Than Mere Every Day Carry

Volunteering during worship services and church events as an armed security team member is not the same as being a cursory, every day, concealed firearm carrier for your own self-defense. It requires a higher level of commitment. If you’re going to carry a weapon to protect congregants, you need to approach shooting as a professional skill.

[ Bookmark the SemperVerus CHURCH SECURITY INTELLIGENCE CLIPBOARD ]

So says Keith Graves, retired police sergeant and founder/trainer of Christian Warrior Training, in his article, Holding Armed Church Security to a Higher Standard.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Interview with Keith Graves of Christian Warrior Training ]

He writes, “The responsibility of protecting the flock requires more than occasional practice and casual familiarity with your gun. You need to train as if one day you may face the unthinkable—an armed threat during a service. The odds may be slim, but they are not zero.”

The White House Launches “America Prays” Initiative

In his speech at Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC, September 8, 2025, President Trump emphasized the enduring role of faith in America’s identity, highlighted his administration’s defense of faith-based values, and reaffirmed his commitment to protecting Americans’ religious freedoms.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Report: US Government “Weaponized Its Full Weight Against Christians” 2021–2024 ]

The President also launched the America Prays initiative—a call for Americans to unite in prayer for the nation’s strength, peace, and prosperity leading up to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. The initiative challenges one million Americans to join with at least 10 people they know to dedicate one hour a week to pray for America and its citizens.