de-escalation Archives

Lt. Col. Dave Grossman on 3 Types of Aggression

Lt. Col. Dave Grossman is a US Army Ranger, paratrooper, and former West Point psychology professor. He holds a Black Belt in Hojutsu—the martial art of the firearm—and has been inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. His distinguished military and academic career has made him one of the foremost authorities on human aggression, violence, and the psychological effects of combat.

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He’s the author of more than a dozen books, including On Spiritual Warfare, which is described this way:

“Evil from the world, the flesh, and the devil preys on those we love and stalks our every move. If we’re not fighting back, we’re losing. In On Spiritual Warfare, the sequel to On Spiritual Combat, Dave Grossman and Chris Pascoe guide Christians through operations of advanced spiritual warfare. Battle the forces of evil with 22 intensely practical WARNORDS, or military “warning orders,” drawn from the writings of Luther and Erasmus.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Self-Defense Body Armor for Spiritual Warfare ]

“These strategic warnings and tactical orders will equip you to

recognize and fearlessly confront evil,
confess and repent of your own sin,
serve others as you become sanctified, and
mature into a triumphant spiritual warrior of God.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Self-Defense In Spiritual Warfare: Know Your Enemies ]

“Filled with Scripture, powerful hymns, battle prep questions, and practical direction, On Spiritual Warfare is the map you need to successfully complete your mission from God. You become victorious as a Christian by living virtuously. Victory through virtue!”

[ Read the SemperVerus article, The Ministry of Protection: Why Church Safety Teams Matter and How Serving in the Ministry of Protection Brings Clarity to the Calling ]

The following is an excerpt appropriate for church security team members (“sheepdogs” as Lt. Col. Grossman calls them):

By semperverus
Posted on 06/05/202606/29/2026

Interview With Police Trainer, Ron Borsch, on Church Security Teams Stopping Active Killer Incidents

SemperVerus interviewed Ron Borsch, one of the world’s leading authorities on active killer attacks.

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Please describe your decades of experience as a police officer and a police trainer that have given you expert insight into appropriately responding to active killer incidents.
I first served as a Military Police Officer (101st Paratroops, Viet Nam 1965-66) before serving 30 years as a Bedford Ohio, police officer. My BPD duties included Patrol, Rangemaster, SWAT, Active and Defensive Tactics trainer, and transition to auto-pistol training. Most of that time included my own-cost training during vacation at various national and international courses and conferences in multiple states and places, including Alaska and Canada, presenting at some.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, A Prayer for Church Security Team Members ]

My highest achievement promotion earned was that of Monadnock International Instructor, (two police baton systems and one empty-hand defensive tactics system). This was a challenging several-day process of written and proficiency practice culminating in a final proficiency examination before a panel of senior International Instructor judges. Very helpful preparation was years of experience at lesser Monadnock instructor levels.

By semperverus
Posted on 05/18/202607/14/2026

Church Security: Detect Threats With the “Power of Hello”

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)’s “Power of Hello” is a security initiative and training program applicable to church security teams and church ushers and greeters that teaches individuals to prevent disruptive incidents by observing suspicious behavior and initiating friendly engagement.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Church Greeters and Ushers: Eyes and Ears for Security ]

Used effectively, the right words can be a powerful tool. Simply saying “Hello” can prompt a casual conversation with unknown individuals and help you determine why they are there.

By semperverus
Posted on 05/05/202607/14/2026

Church Security PDF Library: Multi-Source Free Manuals

On this page is a collection of guides, fact sheets, and manuals from a variety of sources that provide helpful information for church security teams. Return often as new documents are added when available.

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Bible Info

What You Should Know to Prepare for Mobs Invading Church Services

Protesters disrupting the Cities Church worship service in St. Paul, MN A riotous and profane mob invaded a St. Paul, Minnesota church in the middle of its worship service January 18, 2026, under the guise of protesting US federal policy against illegal immigration.

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The angry horde shouted down the pastor as he was preaching and they confronted congregants with obscenities. Fortunately, early indications are that no one was killed or injured.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, A Prayer for Church Security Team Members ]

Prudent church leaders should see this calculated anarchy as a harbinger of even worse disruptions coming in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead for their services and events. If your church has been on the fence deciding whether it needs a security team ministry, that decision should now be easily made in the affirmative.