Handling a Disturbance During Public Worship

By Sue Careless

CHURCHES want to be welcoming, safe places but what happens when someone enters who disturbs the worship? Someone who could prove violent during a service where young children and the elderly are gathered? How should the clergy and congregation respond? 

This past September a young man who lives on the streets of a maritime city entered an Anglican Church just as the service was about to begin.  He was smoking. One of the wardens asked him to put his cigarette out. “God will forgive me,” he replied. The warden explained that the city wouldn’t. The man put it out in the empty but felt-lined collection plate, then lit another. The warden said he could go outside and smoke and then re-enter. Otherwise, he would have to call the police (at a non-emergency number). This time the man obliged. 

When the organist began to play the entrance Psalm for Holy Communion, however, the man followed the crucifer up the stairs into the chancel. The man faced the congregation and defiantly held a small New Testament high over his head. When the priest entered the chancel, he went over to the man and told him that the service was starting and he would have to sit down. The man was insistent that he would not and asked why couldn’t everyone be up at the front on this higher level – why just the clergy? Why were they so special? 

The entrance Psalm ended and the priest announced the first hymn: “Holy, Holy, Holy.” The priest tried to reason with the man but he wouldn’t budge. As one of the wardens approached, the priest asked him to call 911. The first hymn ended and the priest announced a second hymn.  An awkward moment ensued as the priest and the man stared at each other. The priest firmly told the young man that he could still leave on his own; if not, the police would soon be arriving. A third hymn was announced, and the congregation and organist obliged. With nothing to lose, the priest held out his hymn book and pointed to the verse and line. To his surprise, the man began to sing! 

A fourth hymn and the two continued singing together. On the fifth hymn, the police arrived. Without a fuss, the man descended the chancel stairs and left quietly with the officers. The priest followed them out and invited the man to breakfast in the church hall the next morning. 

After the fifth hymn, the service continued. Only at the end, before the recessional hymn did the priest tell the congregation that he had met the young man at an earlier service that morning and had had a good conversation with him. He knew that he wasn’t drunk or high on drugs. He also sensed he had no weapon.  

Four men in the congregation later told the priest that they were watching closely and were ready to step in if things had turned physical. No one left the service but the hymn sing did allow those with children or the elderly to slip quietly away if they had wanted to.   

The church did not press charges but the police suggested a workshop on de-escalating incidents for the clergy, wardens and the volunteers helping at the church’s breakfast program for people living on the street. 

Later in the week the same young man returned to the breakfast program in the church basement but became aggressive with other diners. The decision was made that he will not be served food inside the building again but will be served outside. He will not go hungry but he cannot pose a threat to those inside either.  

Many of the homeless people who attend the church breakfasts carry some sort of weapon for self-defence on the streets. If the weapon is visible, they are asked to hand it in to be kept safe in the church office until after the meal. Not only knives but lead pipes, hammers, chains and baseball bats have been handed in. There have never been any guns. Many of the weapons are forgotten and left behind.   

What can we learn from this? 

Wardens need to be alert at all times to what is happening during worship. The clergy cannot be expected to see or hear all that is going on. The wardens need to have their cell phones ready so they can respond quickly and call 911 when necessary.

The congregation needs to be kept calm. The hymn singing kept things normal and no one left their pews.   

Speaking to an intruder on a first name basis is good practice. By offering your name first, “Hi, I’m Paul. What’s your name?” is a friendly approach and is likely to elicit their first name.  

Speaking firmly but calmly is important so that things don’t escalate. Volume and tone of voice are critical. 

Be aware of the intruder’s personal bubble or space. Don’t come too close to him or her. If they are seated, don’t stand right over them.

Never touch them. 

No exit should be blocked so the intruder can leave unhindered. Keep a way open. 

A trained negotiator at the later workshop said that if someone is having an emotional outburst, a rational response won’t be effective. Rather than ask “Why are you acting like this?” ask instead, “What are you feeling?” “What is making you feel this way?” Empathizing helps more than a logical argument.  

If you have certain rules, post them in a public place so they can be referred to.

Have a Plan B, a back-up plan if things do get out of hand. If someone becomes physically aggressive then there will need to be a different approach.  

Consider having only one door unlocked once a service has begun but be sure people inside can still exit from all the doors (a fire safety regulation).  

Consider installing a silent alarm that wardens or clergy can activate remotely to notify police. 

Consider having your local police station offer a training workshop to all your staff and volunteers. 

Certainly, a medical emergency such as a heart attack or epileptic seizure can also disturb worship but is not a threat to other people. There is likely a doctor or nurse present in the congregation and an ambulance can be called. Still, some first aid training for church staff would not go amiss. 

Seminaries need to give at least one day’s training on de-escalation techniques.

With training and careful attention, churches can offer gospel hospitality while still providing order and safety for all who have gathered.   TAP