Shepherd's Shield Security Foundation
Welcome Team Safety Awareness Program
"See It. Say It. Step Back." — Observer & Reporter Training for Volunteer Greeters
The Three-Word Mission of Every Greeter on Duty
"SEE IT. SAY IT. STEP BACK."
You are not security. You are the eyes. Your job is to notice what others miss — and hand it to the people trained to handle it. That is a powerful, essential role.
📋 Presenter Guide — How to Use This Program
📌 FOR THE PRESENTER: This is a volunteer awareness program — not a security certification course. Keep the tone conversational and encouraging. Greeters should leave feeling empowered and clear on their role, not anxious or overwhelmed. Read the talking points in each section aloud or use them as a guide for your own words. The goal is a relaxed team meeting atmosphere, not a lecture.
Program Structure — 45-Minute Flow
| Section | Topic | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Your Role — Eyes, Not Hands | 5 min |
| 2 | Knowing Your "Normal" — Baseline Awareness | 10 min |
| 3 | Recognizing Concerns — What to Watch For | 10 min |
| 4 | The Report Protocol — Who, How, What to Say | 10 min |
| 5 | What NOT to Do | 5 min |
| 6 | "What Would You Do?" — 3 Verbal Scenarios + Q&A | 5–15 min |
| TOTAL (without scenarios) | 40 min | |
| TOTAL (with scenarios + Q&A) | 55–60 min | |
🎯 Materials Needed: This printed document (one per presenter) + Quick Reference Cards (one per greeter, printed from the card at the end of this document) + Sign-Off Sheet (one per session). No slides or projector required.
Section 1 — Your Role: Eyes, Not Hands
5 Minutes
📌 PRESENTER: Open with this framing. It immediately answers the question every greeter is silently asking: "Am I supposed to be some kind of security guard?" The answer is a clear no — and that should feel relieving, not diminishing.
Say This (in your own words)
"Thank you for being here and for the role you play every single Sunday. You are usually the first person someone sees when they walk through our doors. That matters more than most people realize — not just for the welcome you give, but for the safety awareness you bring simply by being present and paying attention."
"This training is not about turning you into security officers. You are not being asked to confront anyone, physically stop anyone, or make any enforcement decisions. That is not your role, and it never will be."
"Your role is this: See It. Say It. Step Back. Notice things that don't look right. Tell the right person immediately. Then move away and let trained security handle it. That's it. And done well, that simple job can save lives."
✅ YOUR ROLE IS:
- Greeting and welcoming everyone warmly
- Being present and observant at your post
- Noticing behavior that seems out of place
- Reporting concerns to security immediately
- Helping people find exits calmly if needed
- Being a calm, reassuring presence
❌ YOUR ROLE IS NOT:
- Confronting or questioning suspicious individuals
- Physically stopping or detaining anyone
- Making security decisions or threat assessments
- Searching bags or personal belongings
- Arguing with or restraining anyone
- Acting alone without notifying security
Key Point to Land: "The most valuable thing you can do is observe accurately and report quickly. You don't need to decide whether something is dangerous. That is the security team's job. Your job is to make sure they know about it."
Section 2 — Knowing Your "Normal": Baseline Awareness
10 Minutes
📌 PRESENTER: The concept of "baseline" is the foundation of all observation skills. You can only recognize abnormal if you know what normal looks like. Ask the group: "What does a typical Sunday morning look like at our entrance?" Let them answer — they already know their baseline, they just haven't thought about it as a security tool.
Key Concept — What Is a Baseline?
A baseline is simply what normal looks and feels like at your specific church on a typical Sunday. It includes:
- How people typically arrive (families, couples, alone, in groups)
- How people typically dress for your congregation
- How people typically behave at the entrance (relaxed, smiling, chatting)
- The typical flow of foot traffic — how quickly people move, where they go
- Who you typically recognize vs. who is new
Once you know your baseline, anything that deviates from it stands out naturally. You don't need security training to feel that something is "off." You need to trust that feeling and act on it — by reporting it.
Discussion Prompt (ask the group)
"Think about last Sunday. What did normal look like at your post? What did people look like, how did they act, what did the energy feel like?" [Take 2–3 responses.] "Good — that's your baseline. That's your most important security tool."
💡 Every Church Has a Different Baseline. A large contemporary church with 1,500 attendees has a very different normal than a 75-person traditional congregation. Your baseline is specific to your church, your location, your time of service. What matters is that YOU know it.
Three Layers of Baseline Awareness
| Layer | What You're Observing | What "Normal" Looks Like |
|---|---|---|
| The Approach | How someone walks toward the entrance | Relaxed pace, making eye contact, responding to your greeting |
| The Arrival | How someone enters and navigates the space | Moves toward the sanctuary, interacts naturally, knows where they're going or asks for help |
| The Atmosphere | The overall energy and feel of the space | Calm, warm, familiar — people are comfortable and unhurried |
Section 3 — Recognizing Concerns: What to Watch For
10 Minutes
📌 PRESENTER: This is the most content-heavy section. Move through the indicator table conversationally — don't read every cell verbatim. Pick 2–3 that resonate most with your church context and elaborate on those. Emphasize: one indicator alone may mean nothing. A combination of indicators, especially in context, is what warrants reporting.
⚠️ Important Framing Before This Section: "None of these indicators on their own means someone is dangerous. A person who is nervous might just be nervous — maybe it's their first time here. A person who looks different from your congregation might just be from a different background. Your job is not to profile or judge — it is to notice combinations of behaviors that together seem out of place, and pass that observation to security without acting on it yourself."
Behavioral Indicators — What to Notice
| Category | What It Looks Like | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Avoidance Behavior | Won't make eye contact; turns away when greeted; avoids the greeter station entirely; enters through a side door without engaging | Most people respond naturally to a warm greeting. Active avoidance of contact is a deviation from the baseline. |
| Unusual Clothing | Heavy or bulky clothing inconsistent with the weather or setting (e.g., long coat in summer); clothing that seems designed to conceal | Concealment of the body — particularly the midsection, waist, and thighs — can indicate weapons or other items. |
| Nervousness / Agitation | Sweating, shaking, rapid breathing; fidgeting with clothing or a bag; pacing; repeatedly checking a phone or looking around the room | Elevated arousal in someone who doesn't appear to have a reason for it can indicate anticipation of a planned action. |
| Unusual Interest in the Building | Looking at exits, cameras, security positions rather than engaging with the service; spending extended time in hallways or back areas; taking photos of the interior | Pre-operational surveillance of a facility often involves studying entry/exit points and security presence. |
| Visible Weapons or Prohibited Items | Any visible firearm (unless known to be a licensed security officer); knives in open display; anything that appears to be a weapon | Report immediately to security — do NOT ask the person about it directly. |
| Aggressive or Threatening Language | Hostile remarks toward staff, the pastor, or the church; explicit threats; escalating verbal confrontation | Verbal aggression is often a precursor to physical violence. It also makes bystanders unsafe even if it doesn't escalate. |
| Unattended Bags or Items | A bag, backpack, or package left in a pew, hallway, or restroom without an obvious owner; someone who placed a bag and then moved away from it | Do NOT touch or move the item. Note its location and report to security immediately. |
| Unauthorized Area Access | Someone attempting to access the nursery, children's wing, pastor's office, or other restricted areas without authorization | Particularly in children's areas, unauthorized access is a serious safety concern requiring immediate response. |
✅ The "Gut Check" Rule: If something makes you feel uneasy and you can't immediately explain why, that instinct has value. You don't need to prove your concern — you just need to report it. Let security evaluate it. "Something felt off about the man who just came in — he wouldn't make eye contact and kept looking toward the back" is a complete, valid report.
Section 4 — The Report Protocol: Who, How, and What to Say
10 Minutes
📌 PRESENTER: This section is the action bridge — it turns observation into impact. A greeter who sees something but doesn't know how to report it effectively is a gap in your safety system. Walk through the RALL protocol and fill in your church-specific contact names, radio channels, and code words before this training. The fields at the top of this document are for that purpose.
The RALL Report Protocol
Report · Alert · Location · Look
Four things every report must include — in under 15 seconds.
-
R — Report (Contact the Right Person) Who is your security contact today? Know this before every service begins. It should be a named person, a radio channel, or a text number — not a vague idea of "tell security." If you don't know who to contact at the start of your shift, ask.
Your contact today: ________________________ Radio/Text: ________________________ -
A — Alert (Use Plain Language, Quickly) Don't whisper vaguely. Say it clearly and directly: "I have a concern — I need you now." If your church uses a code word or phrase for security alerts, use it. If not, plain language is best. Do NOT try to resolve the situation yourself while you're reporting — step away and communicate first.
-
L — Location (Be Specific) Tell them exactly where the concern is. Not "near the door" — but "east entrance, just inside the lobby, second pew on the right." Practice describing your post using landmarks that security officers will recognize.
My post location described: ________________________ -
L — Look (Describe What You Saw) Give a brief, factual description. Appearance (clothing, gender, approximate age), behavior (what they did or said), and any relevant items (bag, visible weapon, etc.).
Example: "Male, mid-30s, dark hoodie, came in alone, wouldn't make eye contact, kept looking toward the back exits, still in the lobby."
Full RALL Report — Example
Greeter to Security (radio or in person):
"Hey — I need you at the east entrance right now. [REPORT + ALERT]
I'm at the main lobby doors. [LOCATION]
There's a male, maybe late 40s, dark jacket, came in alone about 2 minutes ago. He ignored my greeting, walked straight past me, and he's been standing in the back corner looking toward the stage. He hasn't sat down. I don't recognize him and something feels off." [LOOK]
"Hey — I need you at the east entrance right now. [REPORT + ALERT]
I'm at the main lobby doors. [LOCATION]
There's a male, maybe late 40s, dark jacket, came in alone about 2 minutes ago. He ignored my greeting, walked straight past me, and he's been standing in the back corner looking toward the stage. He hasn't sat down. I don't recognize him and something feels off." [LOOK]
💡 After You Report — Step Back. Once you've made your report, your job is done. Move away from the individual. Do NOT stay close to monitor them — that creates risk for you and can alert the person that they've been noticed. Security will take it from there.
Emergency Situations — When to Call 911 Directly
If you observe an active, immediate threat (someone with a weapon drawn, physical violence occurring, a fire or explosion), call 911 immediately — do not wait to find a security officer first. Your safety and the safety of those around you comes first.
- Shout the emergency code word loudly if your church uses one
- Move people away from the threat area calmly — "Let's step outside for a moment"
- Do NOT run into the area of the threat
- Get yourself to safety, then call 911
Unattended Bag or Suspicious Item — Special Protocol
If you find an unattended bag or item:
- Do NOT touch it, move it, or open it.
- Note the exact location.
- Use RALL to report immediately to security.
- If security directs evacuation of the area, assist calmly — do not create panic.
Section 5 — What NOT To Do
5 Minutes
📌 PRESENTER: Keep this section light but clear. These are the most common mistakes well-meaning greeters make. Frame each one as: "We know you want to help — here's why THIS approach actually creates more risk." The goal is not to scold but to redirect good instincts into better behavior.
| What NOT to Do | Why It Creates Risk | What to Do Instead |
|---|---|---|
| Confront the individual directly "Hey, can I ask why you're standing there?" |
You may escalate a situation that wasn't going to escalate. A person planning harm who knows they've been identified may act immediately rather than wait. | Move away. Report to security using RALL. Let trained personnel make contact. |
| Try to physically stop or detain someone | You have no legal authority to detain. You could be injured or create a legal liability for yourself and the church. | Never use physical force. Your role is observation and communication only. |
| Announce the concern loudly "Security — that man looks suspicious!" |
Creates panic in bystanders and alerts the individual that they've been noticed. | Use your radio, a text, or move quietly to the nearest security officer. Speak calmly and privately. |
| Touch or move an unattended item | If it is a dangerous item, contact may detonate or release it. You also compromise evidence. | Note location precisely. Report immediately. Do not touch. |
| Wait and watch to be "sure" | You don't need certainty to report. Waiting costs the security team valuable response time. | Report the concern as soon as you notice it. Let security evaluate — that is their job. |
| Act alone without telling anyone | If something goes wrong, no one knows where you are or what you observed. | Always tell security before you do anything else. If you can't reach security, call 911. |
| Post about incidents on social media | Sharing details of a security incident publicly can compromise investigations, create panic, and expose the church to liability. | Refer all media and documentation requests to church leadership only. |
The Bottom Line: Your safety matters more than stopping a threat. A greeter who gets injured trying to be a hero does not make the church safer — it makes it more dangerous. The chain of safety works when everyone stays in their lane. Yours is observation and communication. Stay in it.
Section 6 — "What Would You Do?" — Verbal Scenarios & Q&A
5–15 Minutes
📌 PRESENTER: Read each scenario aloud. Ask: "What would you do?" Let 2–3 people respond, then walk through the ideal response. These are discussion-only — no role-play required. End with open Q&A. The goal is to surface questions greeters have been too hesitant to ask and answer them directly.
🎭 Scenario 1 — The Familiar Stranger
A man arrives alone who you don't recognize. He's dressed appropriately and smiles when you greet him. He says "good morning" and heads toward the sanctuary. Halfway down the aisle, he stops, turns around, and walks back toward the lobby. He does this twice. He then sits in the very back row, closest to the exit, and keeps glancing around the room rather than following the service.
What would you do?
Ideal Response: This is a "gut check" moment. Individually, each behavior is explainable. Together — repeatedly returning, positioning near an exit, scanning the room — it deviates from baseline. Report using RALL to the security officer: describe his appearance, location, and the pattern of behavior. You are not accusing him of anything — you're giving security the information to make a trained assessment. Then return to your post.
🎭 Scenario 2 — The Upset Visitor
A woman approaches you at the entrance. She is visibly upset — red eyes, shaking slightly. She asks if "Pastor [Name] is here today." Her tone is tense, not warm. When you say yes, she pushes past you without waiting for directions and heads toward the front of the building.
What would you do?
Ideal Response: Emotional distress combined with urgent interest in a specific person and unwillingness to wait is worth reporting. Do NOT follow her or confront her. Immediately use RALL to alert security: "Female, visibly upset, asked for Pastor [Name] by name, pushed past me, heading toward the front — 30 seconds ago." Security can intercept calmly and assess whether this is grief, a pastoral emergency, or a safety concern.
🎭 Scenario 3 — The Forgotten Bag
After the service, you're helping people exit. You notice a large black backpack sitting under a pew in the third row. There are still about 40 people in the sanctuary. You don't see anyone near it and can't immediately identify whose it is.
What would you do?
Ideal Response: Do NOT touch the bag. Note its exact location (third row, left side, under the second seat from the aisle). Report to security immediately using RALL. Security will determine whether to ask the congregation if anyone owns it, clear the area, or call for additional support. Most unattended bags are innocent — but the protocol is the same every time because the one time it isn't innocent, you want to have done it right.
Close the Training With This
"Every one of you plays a role in keeping this congregation safe just by being here, being aware, and knowing what to do with what you notice. You're not security officers — but you ARE the eyes of this ministry. And that matters more than most people will ever know. Thank you for taking this seriously."
✂️ Print and cut — one card per greeter. Laminate for durability.
SSSF WELCOME TEAM — Quick Reference Card
Keep this with you at your post
Your Role ✅
- Greet and welcome warmly
- Stay observant at your post
- Notice what's "off"
- Report concerns immediately
- Assist with calm directions
Never Do ✗
- Confront anyone directly
- Touch unattended items
- Act alone without reporting
- Try to detain anyone
- Post about incidents online
Watch For 👁️
- Avoids greeting / eye contact
- Unusually bulky clothing
- Nervous / agitated behavior
- Surveying exits or cameras
- Visible weapons or threats
- Aggressive language
- Unattended bags or items
- Unauthorized area access
RALL Report 📢
- Report — contact security
- Alert — say it clearly
- Location — be specific
- Look — describe what you saw
My Security Contact:
Radio / Text:
Code Word:
Radio / Text:
Code Word:
See It. Say It. Step Back. — You are the eyes. Security is the hands.
Shepherd's Shield Security Foundation • SSSF Welcome Team Safety Awareness Program
Welcome Team Safety Awareness — Attendance & Acknowledgment Sheet
Acknowledgment Statement: By signing below, I confirm that I attended the SSSF Welcome Team Safety Awareness Program and understand my role as an observer and reporter. I understand that my responsibilities are limited to observation, reporting, and assisting with calm directions — and that I am not authorized to confront, detain, or physically intervene in any security situation.
Church / Organization: ___________________________________ Date: ___________________ Presenter: ___________________________________
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Presenter Signature: ________________________________ Date: _______________
Records Filed By: ________________________________ Date: _______________
Records retained per SSSF Training Standard Version 1.0. Acknowledgment records kept minimum 3 years from date of training.
Shepherd's Shield Security Foundation
Welcome Team Safety Awareness Program
Training Standard Version 1.0 • 45–60 Minutes • Observation & Reporting for Volunteer Greeters
"Protecting the Flock — Preserving Life — Serving in Faith"
© Shepherd's Shield Security Foundation. For authorized presenter use only.