Preachers Carrying Concealed

[USN2Pulpit]

What are the views on whether or not preachers should carry?

 

[Firefighterchen]

They should carry if they want to.

 

[MH52]

I am a preacher and have been carrying for several years now. Most in the congregation know I carry and most are appreciative of it.

 

[Treo]

Peter was armed in the garden.

 

[robstid]

Why shouldn't they carry? They are human just like everyone else and just as acceptable to harm as you and me. So yes they should all be packing.

 

[hopalong]

Ours does not carry but he knows is well protected by the ones that do .

 

[USN2Pulpit]

Of course, I am a pastor asking this question. Personally, I carry all the time - except when I preach. But then, there are designates in the church that (per Missouri law) have my permission. They carry on my behalf.

 

[Treo]

Of course, I am a pastor asking this question. Personally, I carry all the time - except when I preach. But then, there are designates in the church that (per Missouri law) have my permission. They carry on my behalf.

Why do you not carry when preaching

 

[USN2Pulpit]

Not sure to be honest, Treo. I would never want to distract from the message for anyone in attendance. When someone comes to the altar to pray or anything like that, the last thing I'd want to do is "print." Plus, I move around a lot, and the waters of the baptistry is not a good place for my carry piece.

Another factor in my decision is the men I choose to trust in my congregation to take care of things if anything occurs.

I would be interested in other pastor's views on this subject...

 

[Tucker's Mom]

I seldom go to church with my husband...but I believe a preacher should carry all the time he is out or even when he is at home too. Times are getting tough nowadays.

 

[Treo]

Not sure to be honest, Treo. I would never want to distract from the message for anyone in attendance. When someone comes to the altar to pray or anything like that, the last thing I'd want to do is "print." Plus, I move around a lot, and the waters of the baptistry is not a good place for my carry piece.

Bottom line, if you think God want's you to carry you should. If not, you shouldn't

 

[dragon6]

As a traveling evangelist, I always carry. When preaching I carry off body in the same case I carry my Bible and notes. The off body is a compromise but I felt a needed one. Often I'm involved in prayer sessions where many in the congregation will surround me and the person I'm praying with. I find no conflict in proclaiming the gospel and being proactive in self-defence.

Sent from my HTC PH39100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Blacksheardad]

I have been a minister for almost 30 years and have always carried a pistol. Jesus told us to carry a sword and to sell our coats and buy one if we didn't have one.
Since a sword is kinda hard to carry now, I guess a gun will do. I have been an Associate Pastor for ten years at my present church. All of our Deacons know I carry (most of them do too) and a few of the congregation does as well. I have to journey into some bad places at times. I trust God to protect me but I believe he wants me to do my part too.

 

[fuhr52]

As much as we would like to believe, a church is not a safe haven. We have been given a free will by our creator to make decisions. God in my opinion is like a parent that has raised his children then sends them into the would to make their mark. Knowing full well they will have to make their own decisions. At some point we will be recalled home and at that time we will account for the decisions we have made. There are a lot of nutty people making decisions that affect them as well as us. God is not going to directly intervene. It's up to us to decide how and when to protect ourselves. leasantry:

 

[fstroupe]

I know a few pastors that hunt, but I don't think I know any into handguns.

I personally would have no problem with a pastor carrying, though it would be a little weird at first.

Though here in MS it is illegal to CC in a church unless you have an "enhanced" permit. (you don't have to go to class to get the basic CC permit but going to an approved class will get you in pretty much everywhere but courtrooms, and LE offices.

 

[JSDinTexas]

I asked my preacher his views on this a long time ago. He was all for it, saying there were a number of the congregation that carried concealed (Remember, this is the Great State of Texas where the USA and the Constitution still mean something). He referred to the various incidences where congregations were terrorized, robbed, and so on, and he was not going to let that happen in his church.
Let me give a quick bible lesson from Exodus 20:
The 6th Commandment says 'Do not kill.' The Hebrew word used here is murder (Strong 7523). So the 6th Commandment translated from the Hebrew actually says, "Thou Shalt Not Murder."

 

[FN1910]

Poll: Is it acceptable for a preacher to carry?

I don't think the options actually fit the question or my opinion so to answer you question the answer is yes it is acceptable just like it is for any other person. Whether on not you want to carry while in the pulpit is up to you and what God tells you to do. In some churches it may be fine due to the type of clothing a pastor would wear but in others such as the one I attend, by the time the pastor could get his robe up enough to get to his gun even if it was an ankle holster the BG could have already shot him and half the choir. A pastor should lead his flock not only by his directions but by his actions so if you feel that it is OK for your congregation to carry then it is OK for you. I still have trouble thinking that a pastor is something more than a normal person. Maybe because I have so many relatives that are and a daughter studying to be one.

 

[jwoody]

why not?

I don't understand what your chosen profession has to do with the choice of whether to carry or not. It doesn't matter where you work or what you do.

 

[UDoggie]

I'm an elder in our church, and carry.

Our pastor knows, and is okay with it.

We've had conversations about use of force, as well as my personal beliefs about UOF, and am very comfortable with being armed, but pray that it will never be needed.

UD

 

[fstroupe]

Though here in MS it is illegal to CC in a church unless you have an "enhanced" permit. (you don't have to go to class to get the basic CC permit but going to an approved class will get you in pretty much everywhere but courtrooms, and LE offices.

I stand corrected, carrying in a church is never legal in Mississippi. There is actually a healthy list of places where even the enhanced permit does not allow CC.