What You Should Know to Prepare for Mobs Invading Church Services
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.
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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.
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The Gospel Coalition article, The FAQs: What Should Churches Do When Protest Enters the Sanctuary?, offers helpful information, such as the following:
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“Is a church a public space where anyone may protest?
No. Under US law, churches are private property, even when open to the public for worship. Property owners—including churches—retain the right to set rules for conduct on their premises and to remove individuals who violate those rules. The Supreme Court held in Lloyd Corp. v. Tanner (1972) that private property doesn’t become a public forum merely by being open to the public….[S]peech protected outside the church building (such as on a sidewalk) doesn’t automatically enjoy the same protection inside a sanctuary.”
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“When does protest become unlawful inside a church?
Protest…becomes unlawful when it involves disruption, refusal to comply with lawful instructions, or interference with religious worship….Nearly every state has laws specifically criminalizing the disruption of religious services.”
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“Is asking someone to leave a church a violation of religious freedom?
No. Religious liberty protects a church’s right to govern its own worship according to its theological convictions. The First Amendment doesn’t require a church to provide a platform for messages contrary to its mission.”
Read the full article here.
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If it’s possible to de-escalate the situation before it crescendos, the Brotherhood Mutual Insurance article, Calming the Storm, says a best practice is for the pastor to continue the service if possible while trained security volunteers or designated leaders attempt to lower the tension while calling 9-1-1 to request law enforcement.
[ Read the SemperVerus article, Gentle Response De-Escalation Training for Church Security Teams ]
More Informational Resources
• Ministry Pacific: When Protestors Come to Church
[ Read the SemperVerus article, Defending Yourself Against Mobs and Riots ]
• Church Law & Tax: Removing Disruptive Individuals
[ Read the SemperVerus article, The Parking Lot: The First Part of a Security Incident ]
• Tithe.ly: 15 Church Security & Safety Best Practices
[ Read the SemperVerus article, The 5 Lines of Defense in Church Security, Beginning Outside ]
• Christian Warrior Training: Protesters Entered Cities Church in St. Paul During Worship
[ Read the SemperVerus article, Organizing, Training & Running a House of Worship Armed Congregant Security Team ]
• Prepared to Prevail: Reflecting on a Protest During a Church Service and the Disturbance That Resulted
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