KidMin leaders, here’s a hard but necessary question: Does your church have a safety plan for emergencies like a fire or an armed intruder…and do your staff and volunteers know what to do?

It’s not a fun topic, and I truly hope and pray that none of us will ever face such emergencies. But if something were to happen, would your ministry team be ready to respond calmly and confidently to protect the children in your care?

Why You Need a Plan (Now)

We can’t predict emergencies, but we can prepare for them. As ministry leaders, it’s our responsibility to ensure that safety plans aren’t just in place, but also clearly communicated and practiced. Whether you’ve been in children’s ministry for years or are just starting, now is the time to ask the important questions and seek answers.

Let’s Talk Fire Safety

Start by asking:

• Does your church have a fire evacuation plan?
• Has it been shared with ministry leaders and volunteers?
• Have you ever practiced a fire drill on a Sunday morning…during actual worship and while children are present?

It’s not enough to have a plan on paper. Volunteers need to be equipped to evacuate children of all ages, including babies, toddlers, and children with mobility challenges. And there must be a clear reunification plan in place for parents and children after an evacuation.

Think about those in your building with disabilities or mobility issues. If elevators are out of use, how will they safely exit from upper or lower floors?

Pro tip: October is Fire Safety Month. Set a goal to review and communicate your church’s fire evacuation plan before then. Host a training session, create a short walk-through video, or plan a practice drill with your team.

What About an Armed Intruder?

This is a situation none of us wants to imagine, but one we must be prepared for.

Ask your church leadership:

• Do we have a lockdown plan in place?
• Who’s responsible for enacting it?
• Have we consulted local law enforcement to help develop or review our protocols?

Local authorities are often willing to assist with training or offer recommendations tailored to your building and situation. Once a plan is developed, ensure it’s clearly communicated to all ministry volunteers. And make sure you have a system to notify people inside the building quickly if a threat arises.

Also -- something that’s easy to overlook -- do your volunteers know how and when to call 911? In some areas, using a landline can result in a quicker connection to local dispatch than using a cell phone. Double-check what applies in your community and then teach your volunteers accordingly. Make it standard operating procedure that if 911 is called in the children’s ministry area on a Sunday morning, that staff or key volunteers near “big church” are notified immediately so they know how to instruct the first responders upon arrival.

Let’s Prepare Without Fear

No one wants to spend time thinking about “what if” scenarios involving fires or threats. We should not be people who live in fear.

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7

But we also don’t want to be caught unprepared, especially when we’re responsible for children and vulnerable individuals. Having a safety plan isn’t about living in fear. It’s about creating a space that’s welcoming and secure, where families can worship with confidence that their children are well cared for.

So, here’s your challenge: If your church doesn’t yet have a plan, maybe you’re the one to start the conversation.

Let’s build churches that are not only inclusive and worshipful, but also safe for every person who walks through the doors.​

Beth Golik is the Ministry Director for Key Ministry, an organization that equips churches to welcome individuals and families affected by disability, particularly hidden disabilities. Visit keyministry.org to schedule a free consultation.