250 religious leaders attend church safety seminar in Central Illinois

Posted on January 12, 2018

By Seth Laurence/WHOW/RFD Radio

CLINTON – Church safety received some attention this week in Central Illinois.

A seminar was held Wednesday at Clinton First Christian Church. Pastor Greg Taylor said law enforcement speakers discussed recent events of mass violence – especially those in religious centers – and prevention methods.

“We have to have our eyes open, we have to be willing to say ‘Yeah we want that open door policy,’ ” Taylor said. “We want everyone to come, but we also have our eyes wide open but we also have a plan in place should something horrific occur.”

Taylor noted that churches are one of the few remaining public places that are truly open.

“You can’t get in a school today,” Taylor said. “Churches are probably one of the few places that you are going to have a whole bunch of people gathering together that a bad guy can have unfettered access (to) and we need to change.”

Around 250 religious leaders attended the seminar.

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