Part of my past professional security experience was to be the Personal Protector of a very well-known pastor in the Houston, Texas area. During those years I was exposed to some of America’s greatest pastors. Now I'm not a biblical scholar and certainly don't profess to being a an expert on biblical interpretation but as I was listening to a brilliant young pastor, Afshin Ziafat from Providence Church, Frisco, TX delivering a message at Houston's First Baptist, I was struck by the message he gave that made me finally understand part of God's plan for our mission of protecting our pastors.

Sometimes pastors are resistant to their own personal protection. In the Pastoral Protection arena, we try to give the pastor room to be very approachable but still keeping an eye on him and, more importantly, everyone around him. It is an art form we have honed over many years in our churches. We try to be casual enough for the pastor and not make him/her feel uncomfortable.

One pastor told his staff that he wasn’t worried about his safety; "Why would I want to prevent someone sending me to Jesus early?"

Afshin answered that question for me that past weekend with his message.

Philippians

22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

In other word. If the bad guy kills the pastor, the pastor will not be around to help save those people.

That is why we "Gatekeepers" do what we do. I thank Afshin for his insight into the scriptures.

Along the same subject line is Evacuation of the Pastor During an Emergency.

Some pastors say they will not evacuate the sanctuary until all others are out. The honorable “Last Man Out” ideology. In a time of crisis, the people may look to leadership to see what they should do. In this case you want the people to see the pastor LEAVING and not sticking around.

Our founding scripture is I Chronicle 9:21

21 Zechariah son of Meshelemiah was the gatekeeper at the entrance to the tent of meeting.  22 Altogether, those chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds numbered 212. They were registered by genealogy in their villages. The gatekeepers had been assigned to their positions of trust by David and Samuel the seer. 23 They and their descendants were in charge of guarding the gates of the house of the LORD—the house called the tent of meeting. 24 The gatekeepers were on the four sides: east, west, north and south.

Never let anyone tell you "Gatekeepers" that you are not part of God's plan and that security is not part of god's plan. You have a vital part in God's plan for his church.