CHL & Your Church

[safety1]

Discussed CHL and consealed carry at Church with my pastor. He had no intrest in it
and said he didnt think it is necessary. I expalined my position and he still didn't think it
was prudent. Any suggestions? I of course feel very strongly about it, religious groups are
a target and the threats will likely increase in the years to come. What are my options and
what is your church polciy if any on this topic.

[The Marshal]

Sorry to hear that.
I got my Pastor to go shoot with me.
He now has his CHL, and he and I both carry in Church.
In fact, he has said to anyone that will carry, to carry.

[jmra]

Just to make sure I understand, what was the purpose/goal of the conversation with the pastor?

[oohrah]

As long as the church does not post 30.06, you can still carry. concealed is concealed.

[Keith B]

As long as the church does not post 30.06, you can still carry. concealed is concealed.

That is unless the pastor stated he did not want you carrying there. If he stated that, then you have been given effective notice and it would be a violation to carry in the church.

[carlson1]

If you are eligible for a CHL then you are eligible for a position in my church. You have four months from the time you accept the position to take a CHL class. I do not force anyone to follow through with getting the license, but most do.

Regular church memebers may attend anyway they wish (to a point).

[mbschne]

Both my Pastor and his wife received their CHL's shortly after my wife and I received ours. I'm sure they know I carry. One Sunday night our Pastor's wife smilingly said "I see you wear your shirt tail on the outside now." I just smiled back. Before I received my CHL, I ALWAYS had my shirt tail tucked in for Church.

[safety1]

I have my CHL, my purpose was to see if the Church allowed it( could have been in a policy statement
Or a by law I may not have received) I understand that if not posted I could carry consealed. I asked out of respect of the church. I'd rather be asked to leave the church than leave myself and family unprotected. I'm not done with this conversation with him yet, I think there are at least a few other like minded persons that attend.

[safety1]

As long as the church does not post 30.06, you can still carry. concealed is concealed.

That is unless the pastor stated he did not want you carrying there. If he stated that, then you have been given effective notice and it would be a violation to carry in the church.

He did not specify say he did not want me to carry, he stated he didnt feel it was necessary and I do
believe that part of his reply was mainly directed towards a security oriented set up, which I would steer
clear of for all the obvisous reasons.

[oljames3]

Discussed CHL and consealed carry at Church with my pastor. He had no intrest in it
and said he didnt think it is necessary. I expalined my position and he still didn't think it
was prudent. Any suggestions? I of course feel very strongly about it, religious groups are
a target and the threats will likely increase in the years to come. What are my options and
what is your church polciy if any on this topic.

In my opinion, you have spiritual and secular options.

I am a Christian, so my world view is shaped by my faith. That is my perspective.

Concerning spiritual options, I am a member of my church because I feel that is were God wants me to be. I have placed myself under the spiritual leadership of my pastor and will follow his guidance. God called me to be a sheepdog before He called me to this church. I spent 34 years in uniform. I retired from the Army. I can't retire from being a sheepdog. If I am not allowed to use my tools and be a sheepdog where I am, I must go elsewhere. You have to decide where you are supposed to be.

Concerning secular options, you and your pastor don't have to agree on all points. As long as your church does not post a 30.06 sign or give effective notice, concealed means concealed. Carry on. After 1/1/16, you'll have another decision to make. James 1:5.

Concerning our church policy, I had a similar discussion with my associate pastor, who is also an NRA member and CHL holder. Our church has no plans to post any signs. Turning people away is not our mission. Bottom line is that members should be respectful of the needs of other worshipers as Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 8:9-13. My rights must not become a stumbling block to the weak. In church, I currently carry under a suit coat, never removing the coat. After 1/1/16, I'll usually carry IWB under my coat, but I may remove my coat when not in the sanctuary. During the worship service, I will be especially mindful of not being a stumbling block to the weak. Another option will be a Sneaky Pete style holster. I will always be a sheepdog.

[The Annoyed Man]

Discussed CHL and consealed carry at Church with my pastor. He had no intrest in it
and said he didnt think it is necessary. I expalined my position and he still didn't think it
was prudent. Any suggestions? I of course feel very strongly about it, religious groups are
a target and the threats will likely increase in the years to come. What are my options and
what is your church polciy if any on this topic.

Suggestion: Don't discuss it with your pastor, and carry anyway. I attend a CHL-friendly church..... I say "friendly" in that it simply isn't an issue, but neither is it particularly promoted either...... and I'm smart enough not to discuss it with someone who might be in a position to order the posting of 30.06 signs. That's why I won't open carry in my church when it becomes legal. Why make problems for myself? I carry on stage, and the only people who know about it are those who are part of my personal inner circle.

My advice is: don't give him a reason to force you to disarm if you want to keep attending that church!

[SewTexas]

I've got a couple of thoughts on this conversations. 1) concealed means concealed. This means no one needs to know that you are carrying, including your pastor, or the lead deacon. 2) While I sort of understand, in some churches, wanting to just go to the pastor and get it cleared up; see number 1.

As to if a gun is needed in church, just ask him about New Life in Colorado Springs, see if that rings any bells. I lived there at the time. That is one day I never want to live through again in my life.

Luke told His disciples to go get a weapon. Your pastor may have been telling you not to worry, that you don't "need" to carry, but he's not going to tell you "to" carry, that would be wrong on a couple of levels. He should, however, be able to tell you that it's ok when asked if it is.

[safety1]

I agree, i won't change his opinion, just as he won't change mine. Let sleeping dogs lie..right?
I do not feel his comment of not feeling it necessary was by any means a directive to me to not carry.
I would love to see a more proactive approach, considering that may not happen. I'll keep my intentions
to myself. I feel like I'm where i need to be and my family feels the same. The urge to educate and
spread the importance of this issue makes me want to enlighten him. What if I was not in attendance?

[safety1]

Discussed CHL and consealed carry at Church with my pastor. He had no intrest in it
and said he didnt think it is necessary. I expalined my position and he still didn't think it
was prudent. Any suggestions? I of course feel very strongly about it, religious groups are
a target and the threats will likely increase in the years to come. What are my options and
what is your church polciy if any on this topic.

In my opinion, you have spiritual and secular options.

I am a Christian, so my world view is shaped by my faith. That is my perspective.

Concerning spiritual options, I am a member of my church because I feel that is were God wants me to be. I have placed myself under the spiritual leadership of my pastor and will follow his guidance. God called me to be a sheepdog before He called me to this church. I spent 34 years in uniform. I retired from the Army. I can't retire from being a sheepdog. If I am not allowed to use my tools and be a sheepdog where I am, I must go elsewhere. You have to decide where you are supposed to be.

Concerning secular options, you and your pastor don't have to agree on all points. As long as your church does not post a 30.06 sign or give effective notice, concealed means concealed. Carry on. After 1/1/16, you'll have another decision to make. James 1:5.

Concerning our church policy, I had a similar discussion with my associate pastor, who is also an NRA member and CHL holder. Our church has no plans to post any signs. Turning people away is not our mission. Bottom line is that members should be respectful of the needs of other worshipers as Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 8:9-13. My rights must not become a stumbling block to the weak. In church, I currently carry under a suit coat, never removing the coat. After 1/1/16, I'll usually carry IWB under my coat, but I may remove my coat when not in the sanctuary. During the worship service, I will be especially mindful of not being a stumbling block to the weak. Another option will be a Sneaky Pete style holster. I will always be a sheepdog.

well said sir, and thank you for your service.