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IN PERSON TRAINING
Jim Wagner offers in-person (IN THE UNITED STATES ONLY) training to established churches and Christian organizations for the church staff, security leadership, the trainers, and/or the entire security apparatus (armed and unarmed security, video camera operations operator, ushers, greeters, school teachers, and parking lot attendants), depending on needs and budget. The many available courses are listed below.
While on location, Jim Wagner can also observe a team during a service or a special event to give "on-the-job" training and recommendations to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and safety.
In 1999, Jim Wagner was the first instructor to introduce the formula of pre-conflict, realistic conflict, and post-conflict to the civilian martial arts community (well documented in Black Belt Magazine and Budo Magazine) based upon his military, corrections, and law enforcement background at the time. Over the past two decades + this complete training concept has extended into Security Operations.
Pre-Conflict Training
Situational awareness, surveillance, screening of bags and persons, interviewing techniques, and more.
Conflict Training
Active shooters, terrorist attacks, bombs, chemical attacks, sniper attacks, assaults, disruptive persons, threats, and more.
Post-Conflict Training
Combat first aid (photo is a realistic training scenario), EVAC, contact with the police, courtroom survival, and more.
SIX POSSIBLE ATTACKS YOUR CHURCH* OR CHRISTIAN ORGAZNIZATION** MAY FACE
1. Disruption of church services by individuals or organized groups.
There are two types of individuals who will interrupt a church service. Those who do it unintentionally (an UNKNOWN), and those who do it intentionally. For those individuals who interrupt a church service unintentionally it may be just a matter of coming from a church that does things differently. Some churches allow their congregation to be loud and animated, and such a person in a more reserved and serene atmosphere may not be appreciated. The cause of an individual disruptor could also be due to a physical or mental condition. For those individuals who purposely disrupt a church service (a HOSTILE) the reasons are many: a Christian who has a differing opinion and wants to be heard at the expense of others, a non-believer who has a differing opinion, those under the influence of a controlled substance, someone with mental issues, or who is demon possessed.
There are many organized groups who are "offended" with a particular position that a particular church congregation has taken, or they are deeply intolerant of the Christian faith. In other words, they continue to rebel against God. Three of the most prominent self-proclaimed enemies of the church and Christian owned businesses in the United States include those engaged in sexual immorality (all listed in the Bible), anarchists (some of which are well-funded international groups that uses black block tactics), and racists (the most prominent ones are well-funded international Marxist groups whose leaders openly admitted that they “summon the dead,” but use racism as a dividing tool). Members of these groups have used both non-violent and violent methods against churches and Christian assemblies. Therefore, churches should not only be prepared to physically defend themselves against these hostile groups, and others, but at the same time come against them spiritually with love and prayers for them. Love the sinner, but hate the sin, because Jesus told us, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,” Matthew 5:43-44
2. Assault (threats) & battery (physical contact).
Threats and physical altercations can occur anytime two or more people are together. Examples that a church or Christian organization may face include domestic violence (an angry spouse during a marriage counseling session), a child custody dispute (a parent who is not authorized to sign out a child from a classroom but who insists on taking the child anyway), road rage in the parking lot, mutual combat between school age students, mutual combat between adults, an intoxicated transient who is belligerent, etc.
3. Felony assault with a weapon.
An attack with a weapon may be spontaneous or premeditated, and incidents can include anything from a knife attack, impact weapon attack, an active shooter, to a horrifying school shooting (Sunday School, daycare, or private Christian school) carried out by any number of “bad actors:” demon possessed persons, violent mentally disturbed persons, or simply by those who “snapped” emotionally due to a negative life-altering event and takes it out on others.
4. Terrorist attack.
Since the catastrophic pull out of American troops out of Afghanistan on August 30, 2021 the renewed threat of Islamic terrorism against churches and Christians worldwide has never been greater. The result of this event is that the terrorist group Al Qaeda stated that “war on all other fronts” will continue, and many Muslims believe it set in motion the fulfillment of the Hadith of black flags (أحاديث الرايات السود), which states, “When the black flags come from Khorasan go to them, even if you have to crawl on snow, for among them is the Khalifa from Allah, the Mahdi,” which is an Islamic prophecy for the conquest of Jerusalem and ultimate end of the world. Our country’s humiliating defeat has been viewed upon by Jihadists (“holy Muslim warriors”) as weakness, and it marked the beginning of "the collapse of Western Civilization." The forthcoming attacks against churches and Christians may be from “self-deployed” radical individuals or terrorist cells (multiple attackers) using knives, pistols, assault rifles, explosives, and even chemical or biological weapons.
5. Property damage.
Since the riots of 2020, and the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022 that made the abortion issue (the killing of babies in the womb) a state issue and not a federal issue, there has been a spike of vandalism against churches and Christian organizations by taggers, gang members, and individuals with the spirit of antichrist: anti-Christian graffiti, beheaded or torn down statues, and defaced crosses. Vandalism can also be caused by thieves during the commission of their crimes on church or Christian organization property.
6. Arson.
The attempt to burn down churches is a global demonic phenomenon, which is carried out by individuals or groups with the spirit of antichrist intent on eradicating Christianity.
*“church,” meaning the body of Christ, and members individually (1 Corinthians 12:27) who believe All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, (2 Timothy 3:16)
**To prevent being repetitive, some or all of the threats that a church faces can also apply to Christian organizations.
There are two types of individuals who will interrupt a church service. Those who do it unintentionally (an UNKNOWN), and those who do it intentionally. For those individuals who interrupt a church service unintentionally it may be just a matter of coming from a church that does things differently. Some churches allow their congregation to be loud and animated, and such a person in a more reserved and serene atmosphere may not be appreciated. The cause of an individual disruptor could also be due to a physical or mental condition. For those individuals who purposely disrupt a church service (a HOSTILE) the reasons are many: a Christian who has a differing opinion and wants to be heard at the expense of others, a non-believer who has a differing opinion, those under the influence of a controlled substance, someone with mental issues, or who is demon possessed.
There are many organized groups who are "offended" with a particular position that a particular church congregation has taken, or they are deeply intolerant of the Christian faith. In other words, they continue to rebel against God. Three of the most prominent self-proclaimed enemies of the church and Christian owned businesses in the United States include those engaged in sexual immorality (all listed in the Bible), anarchists (some of which are well-funded international groups that uses black block tactics), and racists (the most prominent ones are well-funded international Marxist groups whose leaders openly admitted that they “summon the dead,” but use racism as a dividing tool). Members of these groups have used both non-violent and violent methods against churches and Christian assemblies. Therefore, churches should not only be prepared to physically defend themselves against these hostile groups, and others, but at the same time come against them spiritually with love and prayers for them. Love the sinner, but hate the sin, because Jesus told us, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,” Matthew 5:43-44
2. Assault (threats) & battery (physical contact).
Threats and physical altercations can occur anytime two or more people are together. Examples that a church or Christian organization may face include domestic violence (an angry spouse during a marriage counseling session), a child custody dispute (a parent who is not authorized to sign out a child from a classroom but who insists on taking the child anyway), road rage in the parking lot, mutual combat between school age students, mutual combat between adults, an intoxicated transient who is belligerent, etc.
3. Felony assault with a weapon.
An attack with a weapon may be spontaneous or premeditated, and incidents can include anything from a knife attack, impact weapon attack, an active shooter, to a horrifying school shooting (Sunday School, daycare, or private Christian school) carried out by any number of “bad actors:” demon possessed persons, violent mentally disturbed persons, or simply by those who “snapped” emotionally due to a negative life-altering event and takes it out on others.
4. Terrorist attack.
Since the catastrophic pull out of American troops out of Afghanistan on August 30, 2021 the renewed threat of Islamic terrorism against churches and Christians worldwide has never been greater. The result of this event is that the terrorist group Al Qaeda stated that “war on all other fronts” will continue, and many Muslims believe it set in motion the fulfillment of the Hadith of black flags (أحاديث الرايات السود), which states, “When the black flags come from Khorasan go to them, even if you have to crawl on snow, for among them is the Khalifa from Allah, the Mahdi,” which is an Islamic prophecy for the conquest of Jerusalem and ultimate end of the world. Our country’s humiliating defeat has been viewed upon by Jihadists (“holy Muslim warriors”) as weakness, and it marked the beginning of "the collapse of Western Civilization." The forthcoming attacks against churches and Christians may be from “self-deployed” radical individuals or terrorist cells (multiple attackers) using knives, pistols, assault rifles, explosives, and even chemical or biological weapons.
5. Property damage.
Since the riots of 2020, and the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022 that made the abortion issue (the killing of babies in the womb) a state issue and not a federal issue, there has been a spike of vandalism against churches and Christian organizations by taggers, gang members, and individuals with the spirit of antichrist: anti-Christian graffiti, beheaded or torn down statues, and defaced crosses. Vandalism can also be caused by thieves during the commission of their crimes on church or Christian organization property.
6. Arson.
The attempt to burn down churches is a global demonic phenomenon, which is carried out by individuals or groups with the spirit of antichrist intent on eradicating Christianity.
*“church,” meaning the body of Christ, and members individually (1 Corinthians 12:27) who believe All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, (2 Timothy 3:16)
**To prevent being repetitive, some or all of the threats that a church faces can also apply to Christian organizations.
TWELVE QUESTIONS TO ASK THE TRAINING INSTRUCTOR THE CHURCH OR CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATION IS CONSIDERING OF HIRING
Regardless of which security profile that the church or Christian organization selects, or whether the training instructor is someone in-house or a vendor, the person or persons who will be training the “sheepdogs” (meaning the entire church security team) needs to be asked the following questions to see if he or she is qualified to teach a church security team or the personnel of a Christian organization. Having a law enforcement, military, or private security background alone is not a qualifier for the position. To make a comparison, for example, there is a vast difference between someone who took an 8-hour first aid class and the training and experience of an emergency room doctor. Yes, they both have some things in common in the field of medicine, but the education, knowledge, and experience of the latter cannot be compared. The same holds true for a training instructor for a church or Christian organization. Having one set of job skills does not necessarily mean he or she can teach the full tactical spectrum. Therefore, the following questions listed below must be asked to determine the level of training the church security team or Christian organization personnel will receive from the candidate training instructor, and you’ll be surprised when reading it how many disciplines are required to effectively teach a church security team or Christian organization. If the candidate answers “NO” to any of the twelve questions, that doesn’t automatically mean you have to keep looking for another candidate, but it does mean you may have to bring in a second, third, or fourth instructor to get the complete training your team needs. For example, police academies have several instructors for each academy class (a group of recruits that start and finish together), and that’s because there are a lot of things to teach them – a lot! The average police academy, 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, is for 6 months. That’s almost 1,000 hours of training, and that’s just to teach them the basics. After that they are given to a Field Training Officer (FTO) for on-the-job training, and that training is usually three months long. Granted, you’re church or Christian organization is not training police officers, but much of what is taught to police officers needs to be taught to unarmed and armed church security agents. That’s why it’s imperative that you get the best tactical training instructor, or multiple instructors, possible. Here are the question to ask the tactical instructor candidate:
1. Do you have law enforcement experience as a patrol officer?
A law enforcement officer that has handled every type of service call possible (drunks, thefts, robberies, sexual assaults, stabbings, shootings, lost child, etc.) is obviously going to be a better qualified candidate than a federal agent who only investigated white collar money crimes for most of his or her 20-year plus career. There are 70,000 law enforcement agencies in the United States, and not all of them are the same nor have the same responsibilties. However, patrol officers and patrol supervisors have “seen it all.” 2. Do you have Special Operations (SWAT, SRT, ERT, etc.) experience?
Just as some crimes and acts of terrorism require a response from those trained at a higher level than a patrol officer or an infantry soldier, so too some church attacks or Christian organization attacks require a higher level of training than those who only know “the basics.” Dealing with a team of active shooters or a terrorist cell is indeed a “Special Operation” requiring better trained responders. Church or Christian organization security agents just can’t be waiting around for minutes (or 1 hour and 20 minutes, as was the case in the Robb Elementary School Shooting in Uvade, Texas on May 24, 2022) for the police to arrive as children in the nursery or classrooms are being slaughtered or people being picked off one by one by a sniper. Of course, only a very small percentage of law enforcement officers or military personnel have served in this capacity. That’s why those with a Special Operations background are often referred to by the public as “the elite.”
3. Do you have anti-terrorism (preventing a terrorist attack) or counterterrorism (directly responding to a terrorist incident) experience?
Every church or Christian organization that’s boldly proclaiming the entire Word of God, social controversial subjects and all, is a potential target of terrorism. Unfortunately, there are probably only a hand-ful of tactical instructors in the entire country who have an anti-terrorism or counterterrorism background, and who are, at the same time, also actively teaching churches and Christian organizations.
4. Do you have bodyguarding experience?
At the very least, the pastor or priest of the church should be bodyguarded (also known as Executive Protection or Close Protection) during each service he gives. That’s because, at the very least, pastors are subject to those people who impolitely tie up too much of his time while others patiently waiting to shake hands or ask questions, and a bodyguard can discretely play interference to keep anyone from thinking that the pastor is rude or uncaring by having to move on or talk to others. Then there are some evil people who will harass, stalk, or even physically assault the pastor or members of his family. The more secular attention paid to a pastor, the more enemies he’ll have. Likewise, the CEO or president of a Christian organization must be protected from all possible threats.
Being a bodyguard is not the same thing as being a bouncer. Far from it. It’s a profession that requires a high level of specialized tactical training coupled with “people skills.” Even among the ranks of law enforcement officers and military personnel, very few ever get the opportunity to serve on an Executive Protection team during their careers.
As a courtesy and responsibility of the church, Executive Protection should be extended to high-profile guests (such as speakers, musicians, and other VIPs) that have been invited to the church. At a Christian organization function high-profile guests must also be protected.
5. Do you have private security experience?
Law enforcement or combat related military experience is a tremendous advantage when considering a tactical training instructor. However, the rules that govern a church security team are more aligned with the state’s regulations and training standards for private security companies, and a training instructor who has an extensive private security background will better reduce a church’s liability if the correct information, techniques, and tactics are passed along. Fortunately, many law enforcement officers and former military people tend to gravitate towards security work, even if temporarily.
6. Do you have command experience?
To understand how to organize, manage a church security team, and properly train the leadership as well, the training instructor’s background must include having commanded law enforcement officers, military personnel, or private security guards. The more men and women who were under his or her command, the more the administrative experience.
Developing leaders needs to be a part of any training program. Church security must be run like “a mini police department,” and that means having a chain of command and knowing how it properly functions, because there are “a lot of moving parts." Paul mentioned the importance of the chain of command, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. (2 Timothy 2:4)
In addition, medium and large churches should have a Command Post (CP) on campus or at a special event, and that means teaching the leaders and selected church security agents how to run one. Again, to do this requires a training instructor with that experience on his or her resume.
7. Do you have real world first aid experience?
A two-year first aid certificate issued by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association is the minimum training that every church security agent or Christian organization security agent should have, but the training instructor must be able to teach beyond that. Training must include realistic scenarios treating knife wounds, gunshot wounds, and explosive wounds (bombings) under combat conditions. Mass casualties is a reality that every church must be prepared for, and God forbid that it ever happens. Obviously, an instructor who has patched up actual injured people before, or saved a life or two, is invaluable. Experience is always preferred over theory.
8. Have you taught defensive tactics (law enforcement self-defense) or combatives (military self-defense)?
The conflicts that law enforcement patrol officers face the most are not shootings, but hand-to-hand combat. That’s why police academies and Advanced Officer Training requires a lot of defensive tactics (self-defense) training. However, civilian martial training (such as Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Judo, Krav Maga, MMA, etc.) is not recommended for a church security team, because civilian systems do not teach the legal issues when it comes to the use-of-force continuum, and they usually lack two of the three conflict training categories – pre-conflict (what to do before a fight) and post-conflict (after a fight). Plus, when it comes to their combat (fighting) training, that too may not be complete or effective. The techniques and tactics may not be reality-based, but actually traditional-based or sport-based. Knowing when and how to apply acceptable techniques, at the right time, requires training from a self-defense expert. The second question that must be asked to a instructor candidate is, "What law enforcement agency or private security company hired you to teach them self-defense?" If the answer is "none," then he or she is probably not qualified to teach self-defense to a church or a Christian organization.
Just as trying to find a training instructor who has Special Operations or Executive Protection experience is rare, finding a defensive tactics or combatives instructor who has actually taught “those who fight for a living” is even more rare. Finding one with that kind of experience, and who has also taught churches before, it’s next to impossible. Yes, all law enforcement officers have been taught some level of defensive tactics, but very few have been instructors. The state doesn't even offer defensive tactics training to private security guards, due to the liability, and few in the military receive combatives training, although you’d think that all our warriors would be taught it. Military combatives or MCMAP (Marine Corps Martial Arts Program) instructors are even more scarce than law enforcement defensive tactics instructors. However, keep in mind that military combatives is for the battlefield and for not civilian application. If an instructor has a combatives background, then he or she must know how to modifiy it for civilian use. This is another reason why a background in law enforcement or private security is essential.
9. Have you organized and supervised scenario training?
Teaching techniques and tactics alone will not adequately prepare church security members (again this should include parking lot attendants, greeters, ushers, unarmed and armed security agents, and a tactical medical team if you can form one) for all the low-risk and high-risk situations they may face. Students must run through realistic scenarios to: A) See how they will react to challenges and how they will react to praise or correction. B) Learn from the mistakes or successes of others while observing their scenarios. C) Have memories of actual experiences in their minds to draw upon for real situations, should they come.
Law enforcement agencies and military units rely heavily on scenario training, and it takes a lot of know-how and preparation to effectively pull it off: planning, environment considerations (the “stage”), instructing role players, providing equipment and props, anticipating the possible different directions a scenario can take, safety protocols, and to-the-point debriefing to instill desired future problem solving and results.
10. Have you ever been a Video Camera Operations operator?
Every church or Christian organization, be it small to mega, should have surveillance cameras, and there is a system for every budget.
It’s important that the Video Camera Operations operators not only know how to use the system (technical proficiency), but they need to know “what to look for” when it comes to possible threats to the church or Christian organization. Yes, some things will be obvious when seen on a monitor, but if the criminals or terrorists use deception, or the operator is not trained in spotting the telltale signs of pre-attack indicators, he or she may fail to “connect the dots,” which can result in the loss of life or property damage. On the other hand, a well-trained operator who spots troubles can instantly direct security agents to the location, and immediately call 911 for serious events to get first responders rolling.
A training instructor who has worked cameras before, or who has supervised Video Camera Operations before, is able to “open the eyes” of the operators and effectively train them to work seamlessly with the other personnel in the Command Post. 11. Do you have international work experience?
If church staff members or volunteers travel to foreign countries (to international Christian conferences or missionary trips for example) these people need a certain level of training to be safer while they are abroad. Of course, the training instructor selected for this task should have worked in foreign countries (First World and Third World countries) before, so that he or she is familiar with the potential threats associated with this type of ministry: travel safety, in-country safety, and dealing with various emergency situations (international terrorism, kidnapping, and the criminal trends of the locals).
12. Are you a Christian, and do you attend church?
There are many great training instructors out there, all who may have outstanding tactical and teaching backgrounds, but is the training instructor candidate a mature Christian who knows the church or Christian culture? This is extremely important because the training instructor must not only know how to teach his or her students how to effectively deal with a wide variety of potential conflicts, but he or she must be able to teach the students how to do it in the love of Christ. A Christian instructor is obviously going to teach in a manner much differently than that of a secular instructor. The training instructor should be instrumental in guiding the church or Christian organization security team to be a dynamic Spirit-filled ministry.
1. Do you have law enforcement experience as a patrol officer?
A law enforcement officer that has handled every type of service call possible (drunks, thefts, robberies, sexual assaults, stabbings, shootings, lost child, etc.) is obviously going to be a better qualified candidate than a federal agent who only investigated white collar money crimes for most of his or her 20-year plus career. There are 70,000 law enforcement agencies in the United States, and not all of them are the same nor have the same responsibilties. However, patrol officers and patrol supervisors have “seen it all.” 2. Do you have Special Operations (SWAT, SRT, ERT, etc.) experience?
Just as some crimes and acts of terrorism require a response from those trained at a higher level than a patrol officer or an infantry soldier, so too some church attacks or Christian organization attacks require a higher level of training than those who only know “the basics.” Dealing with a team of active shooters or a terrorist cell is indeed a “Special Operation” requiring better trained responders. Church or Christian organization security agents just can’t be waiting around for minutes (or 1 hour and 20 minutes, as was the case in the Robb Elementary School Shooting in Uvade, Texas on May 24, 2022) for the police to arrive as children in the nursery or classrooms are being slaughtered or people being picked off one by one by a sniper. Of course, only a very small percentage of law enforcement officers or military personnel have served in this capacity. That’s why those with a Special Operations background are often referred to by the public as “the elite.”
3. Do you have anti-terrorism (preventing a terrorist attack) or counterterrorism (directly responding to a terrorist incident) experience?
Every church or Christian organization that’s boldly proclaiming the entire Word of God, social controversial subjects and all, is a potential target of terrorism. Unfortunately, there are probably only a hand-ful of tactical instructors in the entire country who have an anti-terrorism or counterterrorism background, and who are, at the same time, also actively teaching churches and Christian organizations.
4. Do you have bodyguarding experience?
At the very least, the pastor or priest of the church should be bodyguarded (also known as Executive Protection or Close Protection) during each service he gives. That’s because, at the very least, pastors are subject to those people who impolitely tie up too much of his time while others patiently waiting to shake hands or ask questions, and a bodyguard can discretely play interference to keep anyone from thinking that the pastor is rude or uncaring by having to move on or talk to others. Then there are some evil people who will harass, stalk, or even physically assault the pastor or members of his family. The more secular attention paid to a pastor, the more enemies he’ll have. Likewise, the CEO or president of a Christian organization must be protected from all possible threats.
Being a bodyguard is not the same thing as being a bouncer. Far from it. It’s a profession that requires a high level of specialized tactical training coupled with “people skills.” Even among the ranks of law enforcement officers and military personnel, very few ever get the opportunity to serve on an Executive Protection team during their careers.
As a courtesy and responsibility of the church, Executive Protection should be extended to high-profile guests (such as speakers, musicians, and other VIPs) that have been invited to the church. At a Christian organization function high-profile guests must also be protected.
5. Do you have private security experience?
Law enforcement or combat related military experience is a tremendous advantage when considering a tactical training instructor. However, the rules that govern a church security team are more aligned with the state’s regulations and training standards for private security companies, and a training instructor who has an extensive private security background will better reduce a church’s liability if the correct information, techniques, and tactics are passed along. Fortunately, many law enforcement officers and former military people tend to gravitate towards security work, even if temporarily.
6. Do you have command experience?
To understand how to organize, manage a church security team, and properly train the leadership as well, the training instructor’s background must include having commanded law enforcement officers, military personnel, or private security guards. The more men and women who were under his or her command, the more the administrative experience.
Developing leaders needs to be a part of any training program. Church security must be run like “a mini police department,” and that means having a chain of command and knowing how it properly functions, because there are “a lot of moving parts." Paul mentioned the importance of the chain of command, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. (2 Timothy 2:4)
In addition, medium and large churches should have a Command Post (CP) on campus or at a special event, and that means teaching the leaders and selected church security agents how to run one. Again, to do this requires a training instructor with that experience on his or her resume.
7. Do you have real world first aid experience?
A two-year first aid certificate issued by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association is the minimum training that every church security agent or Christian organization security agent should have, but the training instructor must be able to teach beyond that. Training must include realistic scenarios treating knife wounds, gunshot wounds, and explosive wounds (bombings) under combat conditions. Mass casualties is a reality that every church must be prepared for, and God forbid that it ever happens. Obviously, an instructor who has patched up actual injured people before, or saved a life or two, is invaluable. Experience is always preferred over theory.
8. Have you taught defensive tactics (law enforcement self-defense) or combatives (military self-defense)?
The conflicts that law enforcement patrol officers face the most are not shootings, but hand-to-hand combat. That’s why police academies and Advanced Officer Training requires a lot of defensive tactics (self-defense) training. However, civilian martial training (such as Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Judo, Krav Maga, MMA, etc.) is not recommended for a church security team, because civilian systems do not teach the legal issues when it comes to the use-of-force continuum, and they usually lack two of the three conflict training categories – pre-conflict (what to do before a fight) and post-conflict (after a fight). Plus, when it comes to their combat (fighting) training, that too may not be complete or effective. The techniques and tactics may not be reality-based, but actually traditional-based or sport-based. Knowing when and how to apply acceptable techniques, at the right time, requires training from a self-defense expert. The second question that must be asked to a instructor candidate is, "What law enforcement agency or private security company hired you to teach them self-defense?" If the answer is "none," then he or she is probably not qualified to teach self-defense to a church or a Christian organization.
Just as trying to find a training instructor who has Special Operations or Executive Protection experience is rare, finding a defensive tactics or combatives instructor who has actually taught “those who fight for a living” is even more rare. Finding one with that kind of experience, and who has also taught churches before, it’s next to impossible. Yes, all law enforcement officers have been taught some level of defensive tactics, but very few have been instructors. The state doesn't even offer defensive tactics training to private security guards, due to the liability, and few in the military receive combatives training, although you’d think that all our warriors would be taught it. Military combatives or MCMAP (Marine Corps Martial Arts Program) instructors are even more scarce than law enforcement defensive tactics instructors. However, keep in mind that military combatives is for the battlefield and for not civilian application. If an instructor has a combatives background, then he or she must know how to modifiy it for civilian use. This is another reason why a background in law enforcement or private security is essential.
9. Have you organized and supervised scenario training?
Teaching techniques and tactics alone will not adequately prepare church security members (again this should include parking lot attendants, greeters, ushers, unarmed and armed security agents, and a tactical medical team if you can form one) for all the low-risk and high-risk situations they may face. Students must run through realistic scenarios to: A) See how they will react to challenges and how they will react to praise or correction. B) Learn from the mistakes or successes of others while observing their scenarios. C) Have memories of actual experiences in their minds to draw upon for real situations, should they come.
Law enforcement agencies and military units rely heavily on scenario training, and it takes a lot of know-how and preparation to effectively pull it off: planning, environment considerations (the “stage”), instructing role players, providing equipment and props, anticipating the possible different directions a scenario can take, safety protocols, and to-the-point debriefing to instill desired future problem solving and results.
10. Have you ever been a Video Camera Operations operator?
Every church or Christian organization, be it small to mega, should have surveillance cameras, and there is a system for every budget.
It’s important that the Video Camera Operations operators not only know how to use the system (technical proficiency), but they need to know “what to look for” when it comes to possible threats to the church or Christian organization. Yes, some things will be obvious when seen on a monitor, but if the criminals or terrorists use deception, or the operator is not trained in spotting the telltale signs of pre-attack indicators, he or she may fail to “connect the dots,” which can result in the loss of life or property damage. On the other hand, a well-trained operator who spots troubles can instantly direct security agents to the location, and immediately call 911 for serious events to get first responders rolling.
A training instructor who has worked cameras before, or who has supervised Video Camera Operations before, is able to “open the eyes” of the operators and effectively train them to work seamlessly with the other personnel in the Command Post. 11. Do you have international work experience?
If church staff members or volunteers travel to foreign countries (to international Christian conferences or missionary trips for example) these people need a certain level of training to be safer while they are abroad. Of course, the training instructor selected for this task should have worked in foreign countries (First World and Third World countries) before, so that he or she is familiar with the potential threats associated with this type of ministry: travel safety, in-country safety, and dealing with various emergency situations (international terrorism, kidnapping, and the criminal trends of the locals).
12. Are you a Christian, and do you attend church?
There are many great training instructors out there, all who may have outstanding tactical and teaching backgrounds, but is the training instructor candidate a mature Christian who knows the church or Christian culture? This is extremely important because the training instructor must not only know how to teach his or her students how to effectively deal with a wide variety of potential conflicts, but he or she must be able to teach the students how to do it in the love of Christ. A Christian instructor is obviously going to teach in a manner much differently than that of a secular instructor. The training instructor should be instrumental in guiding the church or Christian organization security team to be a dynamic Spirit-filled ministry.
SIX QUESTIONS TO ASK FOR GETTING STARTED WITH YOUR OWN SECURITY OPERATIONS TRAINING (WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, HOW & WHY?)
1. Who?
In reference to the TWELVE QUESTIONS TO ASK THE TRAINING INSTRUCTOR THE CHURCH OR CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATION IS CONSIDERING OF HIRING Jim Wagner can answer “YES” to all twelve questions. This may seem impossible, far-fetched, and perhaps not even humanly possible for one person to fulfill all these training roles, but it’s true. That’s because God has guided Jim’s 40-plus-year tactical career “for such a time of this.” His decades of career-building, hardships, and risk taking is your gain, because you’re now able to have a Christian Security Operations training instructor that can take a church security team, or Christian organization team, from zero to national counterterrorism level (small unit tactics), and everything in between. CLICK HERE for information on Jim Wagner's tactical and instructor background.
2. What?
Security Operations for churches abd Christian organizations. 3. When?
Training will be given based Jim Wagner’s availability and agreed upon dates and times.
4. Where?
At your church or adequate training facility. It’s always best to Train like you fight, which means for a church or Christian organization security team, training in various buildings and rooms they may have to respond to.
5. Why?
To train selected staff members and/or volunteers to provide the necessary level of security for specific individuals, groups, or both.
6. How? Jim Wagner’s in-person instructor fee will be based on the following information provided to God’s Army Survival Training:
A) Location of the training.B) Number of people to be trained and their security assignments.C) Duration of the training (days, and hours per day).D) Course(s) desired. (see next section for available courses). CLICK HERE to get a quote and to schedule courses.
All training courses include professional tactical instructions, training equipment usage, detailed training outlines (to follow along, for later review, as a teaching guide, and for legal documentation), and training certificates suitable for framing.
In reference to the TWELVE QUESTIONS TO ASK THE TRAINING INSTRUCTOR THE CHURCH OR CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATION IS CONSIDERING OF HIRING Jim Wagner can answer “YES” to all twelve questions. This may seem impossible, far-fetched, and perhaps not even humanly possible for one person to fulfill all these training roles, but it’s true. That’s because God has guided Jim’s 40-plus-year tactical career “for such a time of this.” His decades of career-building, hardships, and risk taking is your gain, because you’re now able to have a Christian Security Operations training instructor that can take a church security team, or Christian organization team, from zero to national counterterrorism level (small unit tactics), and everything in between. CLICK HERE for information on Jim Wagner's tactical and instructor background.
2. What?
Security Operations for churches abd Christian organizations. 3. When?
Training will be given based Jim Wagner’s availability and agreed upon dates and times.
4. Where?
At your church or adequate training facility. It’s always best to Train like you fight, which means for a church or Christian organization security team, training in various buildings and rooms they may have to respond to.
5. Why?
To train selected staff members and/or volunteers to provide the necessary level of security for specific individuals, groups, or both.
6. How? Jim Wagner’s in-person instructor fee will be based on the following information provided to God’s Army Survival Training:
A) Location of the training.B) Number of people to be trained and their security assignments.C) Duration of the training (days, and hours per day).D) Course(s) desired. (see next section for available courses). CLICK HERE to get a quote and to schedule courses.
All training courses include professional tactical instructions, training equipment usage, detailed training outlines (to follow along, for later review, as a teaching guide, and for legal documentation), and training certificates suitable for framing.
SECURITY OPERATIONS COURSES AVAILABLE TO YOUR CHURCH OR CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATION
Training for Command & Control (for leadership and Command Post personnel)
Creating and Organizing a Church Security TeamConducting Briefings and DebriefingsScenario Training Planning & ManagementVideo Camera OperationsCommand Post Operations
Training for Entire Security Team (armed and unarmbed security, ushers, greeters, parking lot attendants, and medical team)
Radio Procedures & Tactical CommunicationsProducing & Using Tactical DiagramsLegal Issues on the Use-of-Force & Courtroom Survival Situational Awareness & Conflict Indicators Verbal De-escalation Lockdown ProceduresContact with First RespondersReport WritingBombs, IEDs, & Hazardous Items SearchesTactical Movement, Cover & Concealment Tactical Flashlight & Tactical Pen DefenseChemical & Biological Attack Defense Less-lethal WeaponsDealing with Protestors & RiotersIdentification & Preservation of a Crime SceneScreening Procedures at CheckpointsFoot Patrols (Exterior & Interior) of FacilityBicycle Patrol of FacilityVehicle Patrol of FacilityLight Search & Rescue (Manmade & Natural Disasters Response)Combat First Aid & Restraint Positional Asphyxiation Avoidance
Self-Defense for the Entire Security Team
Controlling ForceDefensive TacticsKnife SurvivalGround SurvivalCrime SurvivalTerrorism SurvivalHandgun SurvivalImprovised WeaponsConflict Conditioning
Training for Armed Security Agents
Tactical Pistol Pistol Retention & Weapon TransitionAssault Rifle Sniper/Counter-sniper Tactical Hand SignalsTactical MovementActive Shooter Response FormationsBuilding Searches & Room Entry TacticsMovement Under Fire Arrest & ControlK.I.M.S. GamesShooting While Wounded & Unusual PositionsLow-Light ShootingVehicle StopsVictim RescueTactical Medic
Training for Executive Protection (bodyguarding) Agents
Creating & Organizing an Executive Protection TeamConducting an AdvanceBodyguard Techniques & TacticsMotorcade OperationsSpecial Events OperationsExecutive Protection Pistol
Other Courses
Missionary Operations Women’s Survival (self-defense course for female church members 13 years old and above)
Other Available Services
Physical Security Inspection of Your Facility & Recommendations ReportProduction of Your Security Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP)Tactical Diagraming of Your FacilitySupervision & Evaluation of Your Security Team (during one of your church services or at a Christian event) Opposing Force (OPFOR) Testing of Your Security TeamCustom Logo Design for Your TeamPrinting of your team polo shirts, T-shirts, hats, and more
Creating and Organizing a Church Security TeamConducting Briefings and DebriefingsScenario Training Planning & ManagementVideo Camera OperationsCommand Post Operations
Training for Entire Security Team (armed and unarmbed security, ushers, greeters, parking lot attendants, and medical team)
Radio Procedures & Tactical CommunicationsProducing & Using Tactical DiagramsLegal Issues on the Use-of-Force & Courtroom Survival Situational Awareness & Conflict Indicators Verbal De-escalation Lockdown ProceduresContact with First RespondersReport WritingBombs, IEDs, & Hazardous Items SearchesTactical Movement, Cover & Concealment Tactical Flashlight & Tactical Pen DefenseChemical & Biological Attack Defense Less-lethal WeaponsDealing with Protestors & RiotersIdentification & Preservation of a Crime SceneScreening Procedures at CheckpointsFoot Patrols (Exterior & Interior) of FacilityBicycle Patrol of FacilityVehicle Patrol of FacilityLight Search & Rescue (Manmade & Natural Disasters Response)Combat First Aid & Restraint Positional Asphyxiation Avoidance
Self-Defense for the Entire Security Team
Controlling ForceDefensive TacticsKnife SurvivalGround SurvivalCrime SurvivalTerrorism SurvivalHandgun SurvivalImprovised WeaponsConflict Conditioning
Training for Armed Security Agents
Tactical Pistol Pistol Retention & Weapon TransitionAssault Rifle Sniper/Counter-sniper Tactical Hand SignalsTactical MovementActive Shooter Response FormationsBuilding Searches & Room Entry TacticsMovement Under Fire Arrest & ControlK.I.M.S. GamesShooting While Wounded & Unusual PositionsLow-Light ShootingVehicle StopsVictim RescueTactical Medic
Training for Executive Protection (bodyguarding) Agents
Creating & Organizing an Executive Protection TeamConducting an AdvanceBodyguard Techniques & TacticsMotorcade OperationsSpecial Events OperationsExecutive Protection Pistol
Other Courses
Missionary Operations Women’s Survival (self-defense course for female church members 13 years old and above)
Other Available Services
Physical Security Inspection of Your Facility & Recommendations ReportProduction of Your Security Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP)Tactical Diagraming of Your FacilitySupervision & Evaluation of Your Security Team (during one of your church services or at a Christian event) Opposing Force (OPFOR) Testing of Your Security TeamCustom Logo Design for Your TeamPrinting of your team polo shirts, T-shirts, hats, and more
Schedule Your Training Courses Today!
Jim Wagner will personally get back with you.
This Is What Security Operations Training Looks Like
All of these photos were taken at courses taught by Jim Wagner or events. Your training can also be at this professional level.
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