4 Questions to Ask Suspicious People at Church

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[@earlmcgill5867]

This reminds me of when I was at my lowest points with depression and it seemed like everywhere I went folks were suspicious of me. I realize finding the perfect balance is impossible, but please try not to bombard the depressed person with questions. A few questions to let them know somebody is happy they are there and then let them sit and contemplate/experience God in their own way. Remember a lot of depressed folks live very lonely lives and are not used to interacting with other folks, but they will open up if give time to adjust. Thanks for the video!

[@jude.v25]

A multi-person team is invaluable and will allow you to have one person always observing...

[@relaxingsounds7652]

If I were new at a church and someone asked me all these questions I would feel like they were prying and being nosy. The first 2 questions are ok, but after that, it would be too much unless I wanted to continue the conversation.

[@dsquared712]

He didn't say it directly, but I don't imagine the intent is to use this as a 'checking the box' for an interview. It's meant to be able to keep a friendly conversation going, showing the person you are friendly and care about them enough to say more than hi and then staring at them from a distance. This is really meant to be an outline for small talk with a suspicious person with an emphasis of trying to figure out why they seem suspicious in the first place. If you ever want to find out information, just keep someone talking.

[@KandiKlover]

Yes this man is what's known as a whacker and to be taken with a grain of salt. Of all the things to make a hobby out of, yeesh.

[@dpdog1]

We show visitors the love of Jesus in our eyes ... but the eye of the tiger is on guard!

[@e.g.flores2819]

I like to first say "hello, is this your first time here?" And then follow up by offering if they have any questions that i can help with. And depending on the answer, i will ask if i can show them around. I do not intrude by asking where do you live or where did you come from? Those questions are not good for a person with a mental disorder. Its always better to just be helpful and not ask personal questions so quickly. I will also ask them if they need prayer or if i can pray with them. By being helpful it will give you a big clue when they respond and then you can take the next step, you analyze as you go, but do not be to abrupt in your actions. I worked with the mentally challeged for over 23 years and they are all different.

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

Hello EG ......thanks for your thoughts on this issue!!

[@solideomusical]

Great advice, as always! Here are some additional questions that might be useful: 1) What's your name? 2) How far did you drive to get here today? 3) God is so good -what spiritual needs are you looking for Him to meet today? 4) Did you bring a bible or should I get you one? 5) I would like to pray for you- what is on your heart? Meanwhile, I would also be doing a visual of their entire body (eyeballs, hair, attire, tatoos, backpacks, packages, where are their hands) and paying attention to whether or not they appear to be clutching onto something or may be concealing a weapon.

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

Hey Soli, thanks for watching and sharing a comment. Great share, I appreciate you taking the time to share with the community.

[@samamsterdam4301]

I'm Autistic so I do flap my hands around and rub my face. I also have echolalia which can be a word I heard or a quote from a TV show or even a song. For me it usually means I'm stimulated and happy or I'm trying to regulate myself because I'm overstimulated. I call it happy and flappy! My church doesen't even flinch when I say something out of place like, "EEE The Tire." But then they know me very well.

[@revgriz120000]

This is absolutely great material Joe. I have watched every Church Security series/class/seminar I can find on youtube, and I have undergone more formal online education in Church Security sponsored by the Southern Baptist Convention. I have rarely seen material on the subject of dealing with a suspicious person presented in such a practical and informative way. This video is absolutely world class! And it's not just this particular video. This whole series on using barriers, cover, distance, etc is extremely useful. Thank you for sharing it and all you do for our community.

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

Hey Troy! Thanks for the great comments, I really really appreciate the feedback! Thank you so much for watching and being part of this community by sharing all the times that you do.

[@sandypidgeon4343]

You are SPOT ON. We are a ministry first. You can't act like an overseas security operator. Just saying "good morning" and "how are you" to someone who looks grimacing or odd will give you the immediate feedback for further engagement. People don't know you care until you care to know them. For the men and women on your team, 95 percent of the "job" (although we were all volunteers) is engagement. They may be coming looking for counseling. Just one comment - if your team is small, or, you work in a very large church, doing multiple questions might not be feasible. You can usually get a basic assessment just from the first two questions. It is good to be able to pass off a person like this to a Pastor or one of the paid counselors so the team does not become fixated; however, keeping an eye out and also alerting the team to the situation when passing off is a must. GOD Bless

[@jonyoung6405]

I visited an independent Baptist Church . I was new to the area looking for a church, with in 30 seconds after I walked in 3 guys in suits were pretending to cool but more like police force . Lol . I never went back .

[@betterwithrum]

Eh, that’s ok. Rather the church be safe than your feelings not being hurt.

[@8Nguy1948]

What he said . Better safe than sorry .

[@jonyoung6405]

Guaranteed safety is a padded cell .

[@8Nguy1948]

And that's no guarantee .

[@joshua9449]

“They might actually imagine you’re nice people” Sure fooled them! 🤣🤣🤣 Kidding of course. I’m sure you’re nice. God bless you.

[@jamielewis4321]

I was at a church back in the mid 1990s. It was a small church. In the middle of the music service. Someone wandered in off the street. It was a man he was wearing leather pants and a leather jacket with no shirt. He had a Rambo knife strapped to his side. He came in and sat on the front row. He was probably drunk and had most likely been wandering around the streets all night. He sat through service and then left. All the elders of the church kept an eye on him the whole time. So did I.

[@davidpeightal4918]

Tough topic. I think I just decided I will love people the best I know how, and pray for supernatural discernment and protection if it is needed. (For we fight not against flesh and blood...) I can’t bring myself to pretend like I am caring for someone when I am actually caring for myself and my interests. I would definitely lay down my life for my friends; and this visitor is worth me laying down my life for him also. Especially if he is troubled or oppressed or in need of help. Thank you for helping me make decisions about a very difficult topic.

[@LarryMathews-v3e]

Thank You I will be watching

[@rangersmith4652]

A person who's at your church to size it up -- for good or for ill -- knows these questions are geared to do the same to him. If I walked into a new church and someone started into this routine, I'd know exactly what was going on, and I'd say so. A person visiting a new church is naturally a bit nervous because he or she doesn't know what to expect. If what he or she gets is an interrogation, he or she is unlikely to ever come back. Yes, church security is a serious matter, but I'd rather walk into a new church and see uniformed, armed guards than be interrogated in this manner by someone who thinks it comes across as loving and caring. It doesn't.

[@maryc6189]

If you have nothing to hide it shouldn't be an issue.

[@Roscoe174]

I disagree. Even before I watched this video, these are several questions I ask new people just to make conversation and learn about people. They are completely natural questions and good for more than just security, but to get to know people.

[@vonhalberstadt3590]

Tough call.

[@rangersmith4652]

@@Roscoe174 Sometimes, maybe. Everyone is different. When I've visited a new church, I've mostly just wanted to be welcomed and then left alone. "Hello, welcome to ____ church, I'm so-and-so, and I'm glad you're worshiping with us this morning." That's it. Anything more sounds like I'm being assessed.

[@Pak_Flesot]

I would leave a church in a second if they did this to me. It doesn't seem loving to me when you put me in a different room and I'm not allowed in the church service. It doesn't seem loving to me to stop people from serving in the church, just because you don't like them or you disagree with them or they just seem a bit off. It's not something i would call loving to interrogate someone and make them feel like an outsider, when all they want to do is find a church family. I've attended the same church for years, and I just thought that's how churches worked. Until I got married. My wife very clearly told me that the way they treat us is not honoring God. I understand wanting to protect the sheep. But if you drive people away from the church, are you fulfilling the great commission just because you disagree with someone? Of course some people are stressed. Of course they are standoffish. People are hurting. People need Jesus. But maybe they have been hurt by churches in the past. Maybe they don't trust that you won't hurt them? Why is it ok for the church to be on guard, but it's not ok for someone else to be on guard?

[@CombatVetTom]

VERY Good informational video! I'm sharing with my Church Security Leader. He's already pretty good at this kind of thing but he might use this video to help others on the team. God bless you....

[@bradbuxton6365]

Well said sir. I will be using and sharing this information with our church team.

[@hiramr1153]

I don’t think there is a perfect model, but there must be one that will keeps improving by experience, and good data for the best.

[@UTubeQu1che551]

Superior info, melding security with loving on folks to welcome them into the body of Christ. I’m looking forward to more body language info. Your suggestion to have a “coffee walk” is mind-blowingly simply, yet what a great way to gather intel!

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

Thanks Lorraine for watching, commenting and participating!

[@brandonthompson6770]

Maybe one reason churches are declining. Seem to have lost their way.

[@cowboy9257]

I would better prefer the following questions: 1) Hi, could you just stand up against that wall while I just conduct a procedural pat down? 2) Heeeyyyy, welcome, can I please see your driver's license, my friend? 3) Wow, nice pants, hey what's your social security number, partner? 4) Glad to see ya, hey would you walk out into the parking lot with me and identify your vehicle, I want to make sure it doesn't get towed by one of our over zealous, off-duty fully armed police department SWAT officers, who work here on our parking lot security team? 5) Hey buddy, I need ya to stand still while I install these Christian handcuffs on ya. We take them off after services, and then once you're a fully vetted member we no longer require them.

[@jeremybreed7523]

Great stuff! Thank you sir!

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

Thanks Jeremy! I appreciate the comment and I am glad you are watching.

[@user-bl4hb1bq9t]

When a stranger starts asking me questions, I get suspicious, that the're trying to get over on me! Sometimes I give smart ass answers. Or I look them right in the eye & tell them we don't know each other, why are you bothering me! I'm not a church person & church people are weird. So my elderly mother goes to church & sometimes I have to drive her. I drop er off. Park & my intent is to go inside & sit in the last pew & when the service is over get the car. So the service always has started when I go to sit in the pew. 1 time this usher tried to interfer with me. I didn't give him the chance & told him to mind his own business & sat in the pew. Oh I'm always armed. Sitting there glancing around, this usher had positioned himself & was keeping an eagle eye on me. After the service I parked the car by the enterence & went in the get my mother. She was talking with my usher friend. I told him I got it from hear. He got why out of his mouth & for the second time I said none of your business! So some people are uncooperative & not a threat! I also don't like it when I go to the mail box & neighbors I don't know are out for a walk & stop to talk. Oh the neighbors I do know are the worst, cause I have to chat with them!

[@arvilsbaumanis1911]

Thanks for sharing your experience, very helpful.

[@rodneydyer351]

I wouldn't go with anyone on a coffee purp walk, nor would I stay if the questions got too personal for a first meet. I believe in following the spirit of God and the interrogator would be suspicious to me if they did all these things. Nothing wrong with having security, or sitting with or near someone who gets the spidey senses tingling. But I have seen congregations to avoid.

[@lola8590]

Always a friendly face, no sideway glances.

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

Thanks Lora for watching.

[@halledwardb]

When the pastor said we don't even know if God wants you here take his word and just leave.

[@FireManTTSOM]

These very good suggestions, thank you.

[@bluewater454]

The lady on the left was suspicious? Gotta look out for those librarian looking types 😄

[@KLUJICS]

Love the diffusing idea. 😊

[@marquettemcfarland7806]

Great questions

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

Thanks Marquette for watching and commenting!

[@B_Trott]

Quality information!

[@paulrussell2452]

So much for homeless people in church. 😢 Your questions would have excluded Jesus. What is your "church" doing?

[@jordanwhite5470]

I'm definitely not a threat, and probably wouldn't be seen as one. However, if I went to a new church and got Screened like this, I'd be overwhelmed and probably not come back. Also, IF I stayed and attended a few times, and then found out about this Screening, I would have a LOT of trouble trusting that people there were sincere in their caring. Overall, this is an offensive situation.

[@hutchr6142]

Several of these questions are asked by our Hospitality already. ....potential safety team members. LOL

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

That is awesome Hutch thanks for watching and sharing what you folks have going on at your church!

[@mtz9939]

Good stuff brother

[@joywright2315]

Might be good to open up with questions that require more than a yes or no answer.

[@johncampbell8456]

Half baked ‘security’ people approaching strangers asking personal questions while trying to sound sweet and welcoming is truly shocking. “ The Scribes and Pharisees were complaining that Jesus was eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners”, but Jesus said: it is not the virtuous I have come to call, but sinners”. An hour long course in interrogation techniques does NOT qualify anyone as a competent security person.

[@truehope287]

Security should NOT have anything in their hands!;

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

Hey True....thanks for watching and leaving a thought here for the community!

[@YosemiteLee]

Way too many questions for a new person unless they’re visibly agitated and showing other signs of mental illness.

[@run4cmt]

What is a suspicious person? What are signs that would be of concern?

[@tonyarthur578]

how do you handle Suspicious visitors bringing in backpacks ?

[@BigStickCombat]

14:40 is also called the "action triangle." Could be loading up for a big right hand or stab.

[@ChuckisOutside]

How do you ask someone to leave? What is the rest of the story? Thanks

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

Hello Chuck.....when you are asking someone to leave, you kindly get to the point in my opinion. Ask them to go with you to the outside or to the lobby at least, so that you can talk to them.........Then something along the lines of ........Sir, I cannot have you here today because of (you are scaring our people, you are being loud, you won't let us look in your backpack) But if you can change that in the future, you are welcomed to come back. Chuck, this approach has worked well for me many times, only a couple of times did the person erupt into yelling and being angry and we were already outside at that point which was good. Be ready then if they won't leave to call the police and make them leave. You have the right to refuse service. Let me know if you have further questions.....I appreciate the question

[@Nobody_1776]

Who do you think you are to label anyone suspicious, then interact with them in order to find a reason in case you decide to invite them to leave? Honestly, everyone, including you, is suspicious.

[@betterwithrum]

😅

[@garyrisley9170]

Your statement is not true. From historical precedence, one can see the signs of someone who appears to demonstrate those traits. The goal is not to find a reason for them to leave. The goal is to confirm or allay a concern after observing the person's behavior. As stated here, the approach is in a friendly manner, showing interest (all of which is sincere) while gaining information regarding behavior and intentions. Many potential problems are prevented by simply a kind question and a show of love and interest - Some people have evil intent and are scared off by the approach, others are hurting (often with a mental illness) and simply need to connect to someone. Without that connection, they can become disruptive or even dangerous.

[@nickx8411]

you sound like someone with something to hide…🤔🤨

[@jdsheleg8332]

Skip to minute 4 to avoid a lengthy introduction.

[@dpdog1]

We had one that threatened to call president Regan... then Clinton ...... then he even called the police as i did too... he left with the officers!

[@UTubeQu1che551]

Hi! I had a problem forwarding your video link to the security guy at my church with my old iPad. So if you are tracking referrals, my referral won’t show up. I had to type the link into an an email. If I want to forward a vid link in the future I’ll do it from my laptop. I want your vids to get a much higher viewership. You cover such important material that works for small and large churches. Thanks!

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

Wow...thank you Lorraine for sharing this info and for your comments into this community! I hope you are going to be participating more and more with your church security team - helping your security guy!

[@92EGcxGSR]

I knew I shouldn’t have looked in the comments but it really seems like people throwing shade at this video assume that this set of questions will be asked 1,2,3,4 while blocking the person from entering the building. The spirit of this video is to ask the questions in a calm/normal conversational posture…OP says active listening and listening many times in this video. Ask a question, listen and respond based on the answer like a normal person. If someone has zero social skills is asking these questions then yes it would come across as an interrogation, that isn’t what is being promoted here. The idea here is to be welcoming to visitors and also let them know we see them and know they are there. If someone disengages and wants nothing to do with interacting with a greeter/staff member that throws up a red flag and we would communicate that and a description of the person to the rest of the team to just be aware of this person. Doesn’t mean we have to “follow” them all over the place or confront them but at the end of the day we are there to do a job…and most of the time when something bad happens and the rest of the story comes out there almost always were indications of something being off with that person from the get go. It IS our job to discern and be aware of someone acting abnormally and most of the time talking to someone we don’t know or recognize is the best way to expose that.

[@lola8590]

“Connected to family “ is a really good question.

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

Yes Lora, thank you for leaving a comment!

[@spiritman-em4qr]

Perhaps having an established member of the church introduce new members to the security team would be a good idea. I got screened for weeks, even after I had become a member.

[@Lowspeedoperator]

Why do people take their clothes when they getting ready to fight 😂

[@samamsterdam4301]

I would say for one it's an intimidation tactic and also it's harder to fight when you're restricted by a jacket or something. They may be preparing to really fight or they may just be trying to intimidate and gain dominance by getting into someone's head. Could go either way or both. OR it may be that they like their shirt and don't want to get it ripped.

[@dermatologymiami]

4 minutes 39 seconds before you get to the point. You could have shortened this video to 5 minutes. You should simplify it rehearse it and repost it

[@betterwithrum]

🙄

[@buddysampley8326]

Good content!

[@ChurchSecurityAnswers]

Thanks Buddy! Thanks for watching!

[@richbachmann389]

These are questions usually asked to get to know someone. That’s easy. Conversation not interrogation!

[@helenjones568]

LOL My church serves coffee, and even used the word "Target" a visitor! The longer I stayed the longer I realized I was treated as such a foreigner, I didn't want to stay any more. This went on for a long long time. Paranoia is in the common man and you can teach it too! I am over how the church functions. This is not how the true church is. I get it you need to protect but how long is it before you stop the mental teachings and you get on with the church business which is the kingdom of GOD. You teach this all the time you will loose the H.S. working in all of us. Everything you are teaching was focused on me and it never ended. I was there a year and feel that those teachings got stuck in their thinking because Covid was a binding thing in all of us to protect and be afraid! The whole way we were led into that shut down, caused us to be so divided. That is also a problem besides the Spirit of fear! Ugh. I clicked on one video like this and now You tube is bombarding me with so many of these types of videos. I wish I can tell You tube you are promoting fear by their computers programming! Humans do that too! They programmed people and powers do that even in the church! YOU can get people of your congregation to focus on fear, killing etc and they get stuck in it. I see it a lot now! Thanks for showing me this in those congregations that know each other a long long time. Too much of your profession can effect your own stability as well. Ugh! The motive is WRONG! Forget the true outreach now. Ugh! I'm a long time person in the church and my heart is not at all what I was looking for in a church but I now get what is going on! It's over for me. The people are under the Spirit of fear! They can not turn it off! So teach that too! That stance is good for anyone. To stand with feet like you showed is good in crowds. Especially when you are too close to each other. Do you realize how many people are stomped on in crowds in close quarters!? They teach to stand like that. I have noticed some are wanting you to stand like you are doing. I see that too! Ugh! You are training for fear!

[@je3199]

If you go to your history and remove the watched video, that is causing the Algorithm to add more like content. Remove web browser history and restart KZbin it will cease. Peace

[@erichouser113]

Security is never a bad thing

[@galewollenberg786]

The answers to 3 of those questions are none of your business.

[@user-sr6td4kk8r]

I couldn’t even make it to the questions. Rambles on too long. Just get to the point.

[@user-uo6nv8pf6k]

Just say Jesus loves you. Wait for demon reaction

[@byronharano2391]

You talk too much! Give me information not comments. I didn't listen to this video to completion. Too much of NOTHING

[@betterwithrum]

😂

[@TammyMcDonald675]

You sound totally paranoid! Who wants to go to a church where they start interrogating you on your first visit? What I do in my free time is none of anyone's business and I would tell them so!

[@rosecarney4111]

Maybe get to the point a little sooner?

[@dudley5658]

Did you vote for Joe Biden?

[@expletivedeleted]

Be suspicious of anyone into religo-mythology...unhinged.

[@razor6552]

WRONG