What does it actually take to build an effective church security team?

In Part 1 of this series, Brink and Tom sit down with Adam McIntyre, Director of Training at Defend Systems, to break down the foundations of church safety, from who should be on your team to why having any team is better than none. Adam shares practical insights on recruitment, roles, communication, and common mistakes churches make when getting started.

Whether your church is just beginning to think about safety or looking to strengthen an existing team, this episode offers clear, experience-driven guidance to help you take the next step.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we'll dive into how to train a team effectively.

1:03 – Introduction to the series: developing, recruiting, training, and maintaining a church safety team with Adam McIntyre, Director of Training at Defend Systems

5:50 – Why pastors should not lead safety team development and how it can polarize a congregation

7:44 – A high-level approach: prioritize the right 5 people over a large, uncommitted team

9:36 – The #1 rule: have a team

11:00 – What makes a good team member?

11:55 – The Security Operations Center (SOC): why your camera operator plays a critical role

16:00 – The challenge of multiple entry points: managing doors effectively

20:15 – Why gamers often make excellent SOC operators

21:55 – The importance of radio training and clear communication

23:40 – Key traits to look for: humility, communication, and a willingness to train

26:30 – Identifying and leveraging people who can augment your team

27:00 – Limited training time: why efficiency and clear SOPs are critical

30:47 – Reference: West Freeway Church of Christ shooting and lack of coordination

32:15 – Resource highlight: Faith-Based Security Network

35:20 – Start with private recruiting before making public announcements

38:45 – Small vs. large churches: same principles, different execution

40:00 – Local collaboration and how we can connect you with resources - email info@tipstacticstools.com

Coming Next: Part 2 – How to train a church security team