Many churches have been locking their doors during services.
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (49628)
August 28, 2025 7:57pm CST
And no, not just since yesterday's Minneapolis shooting. I didn't realize it was even going on, but evidently in many churches now, it is.
As I have said before, I lived for a time in a small town in southern IL. My best friend is still there, as well as some cousins and other friends. My friend told me yesterday her church is locking the doors during any church services.They have been doing that for several months now and so have some other churches there. I asked the neighbor who attends a very large church not far from me and she said yes, the doors are all locked during services and have been for several months there as well.
From what information I can gather, they station people in their lobbies, etc. close to doors, to let late comers in. They all have cameras at their doors now. Some of the people don't like this idea, and some do.
What do you think? Will this keep people from going to a church or make them stay away? Will it help?
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21 people like this
18 responses
@MarieCoyle (49628)
•
29 Aug
Yes, my friend said that her church did that. At least if they have some training, it would help IF (and we hope it never does) anything ever happened.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (49628)
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30 Aug
@kareng
I just think it's so sad that it even has to be done in order to keep worshippers from being shot. Just...really sad.
2 people like this
@kareng (79658)
• United States
30 Aug
@MarieCoyle I agree. We live in a crazy world these days.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (79440)
• United States
29 Aug
I don’t think anything is going to keep people who want to go to church from going to church. And yes, there are security measures that one minister I watch online said you can’t begin to imagine in place. Sign of the times…but then you go back to the book of Acts and the believers were meeting in houses for fear of authorities. Now it’s others they’re in fear of.
4 people like this
@MarieCoyle (49628)
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29 Aug
Yes, I thought of that...believers were hiding their meetings. Now it's shooters they are afraid of. What a nutty world we live in!
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (166045)
• United States
30 Aug
Our pastor is a former law enforcement person. She has a criminal justice degree, and a social work degree, as well as having her pastoral degree. Our church is out in a rural area. They have kept it locked for a long time. Long before I began to attend. She locks it when she is there alone in the day time as well. I know there is a camera system. That does not seem to keep people away, but just modern life does.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (166045)
• United States
30 Aug
@MarieCoyle Our pastor has had some strange things happen. Also, so questionable people have used the parking lot as a meet up. She once had to call her husband to get off work and show up to deter a persistent panhandler.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (49628)
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31 Aug
@GardenGerty
Yes, our churches seem to get hit by panhandlers as well. I will say they seem to handle it well to try to steer the person(s) to get some assistance if they need it.
@celticeagle (180522)
• Boise, Idaho
29 Aug
This is too bad. What a world we live in now. A church should be open all the time but nowadays we have to be safe.
I have one church here in Boise that I used to visit occasionally. I am an atheist, so I don't go to church but, this church has a good energy and it is a lovely little church out in South Boise where I lived for a few years when I was a child. I would venture inside occasionally in my travels around the neighborhood. I visited it a few years ago and it was locked. It had never been locked before. It was rather sad.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (49628)
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29 Aug
I recall growing up that churches were never really locked except at night.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (180522)
• Boise, Idaho
31 Aug
@MarieCoyle ......That's how I grew up too. Always accessible.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (49628)
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31 Aug
@celticeagle
A lot of things have changed over the years. Some good, and some not good at all.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (49628)
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31 Aug
@LadyDuck Yes, you are right, Anna. It could happen anywhere, and unfortunately it does.
1 person likes this
@BloggerDi (3121)
• United States
29 Aug
The security cameras are a very good idea.
I'd probably feel more fearful in a church that kept its doors locked. It would be a constant reminder that evil people could harm or kill us at any moment.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (49628)
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29 Aug
When I first learned of this, I recalled the church scene in the movie, The Patriot. If you watched it, you know how that scene ended...horrific. It certainly instills fear, I agree.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (197459)
• United States
29 Aug
It's really a shame that has to happen.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (49628)
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29 Aug
It really is a shame. The words I remember, freedom to worship, sort of don't mean the same in a way.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (154217)
• India
30 Aug
Seems a risky place which was safe all this while
2 people like this
@allknowing (154217)
• India
30 Aug
@MarieCoyle Atleast in churches we had some safety
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (49628)
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30 Aug
@allknowing
Unfortunately ''had'' is the word. We no longer have that peace of mind.
2 people like this
@Manasha (2913)
• Pondicherry, India
30 Aug
That’s a really thoughtful and important question.
Locking church doors during services is becoming more common, especially after high-profile shootings and security threats. It’s meant to protect people, but it can definitely change the atmosphere of a place that’s supposed to feel open and welcoming.
Some folks may feel safer knowing there are precautions — cameras, people stationed at doors, and limited access. For others, though, it might feel restrictive or even unsettling, like church has lost part of its openness.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (49628)
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29 Aug
I suppose it makes sense. Schools are locked, with the exception of emergency exits, by law. In that case, the door can be opened on the way out due to an emergency. But all the schools I know of have several cameras pointed at emergency doors, because when they first started doing that, people would let other people in.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (123616)
• Marion, Ohio
29 Aug
I understand doing that. I don't think it will make a lot of difference in attendance.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (49628)
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30 Aug
I don't think it will, either. It probably makes many people feel more secure.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (89806)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
29 Aug
But the guy shot through the windows, So even locking the door does not help,
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (49628)
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30 Aug
I thought of that, too. And he barred some of the doors from the outside.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (364073)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Aug
@MarieCoyle I just truly hope it doesn't get worse before it gets better. 
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (49628)
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31 Aug
@JudyEv
I think you voiced everyone's thoughts with that statement. 
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (49628)
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30 Aug
People are locked inside of schools now and inside of churches, for safety. Where will this end?
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (21153)
• United States
2 Sep
I haven't been to church for long while now. But I do know that our church would be locked up after every service. I don't know they do during services now.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (49628)
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3 Sep
Many people I know use the online option for their church, since pretty much every church offers it.
1 person likes this
@Traceyjayne (5806)
• United Kingdom
30 Aug
Unfortunately in this country churches are closed unless they are actually being used. I feel that’s wrong and they should be open constantly for those needing or wishing to go there.
1 person likes this
@vilma143 (2917)
• Dipolog, Philippines
30 Aug
As far as I know, a Church that is close in time of the mass is the Iglesia ni Cristo - Church of Crist, for the reason that they don't want to distract in time they listening the gospel word of the preacher, but anyway, that is the way on how they discipline their mass.
I visited once 'cause some friend of mine invited me to attend the mass.
As I witnessed the way they act and how the followers listening the mass is so silent and how do they obey
Anyway, that is how they follow and obey the rules and guidelines of the Church.
I think the training of the followers is not bad too.
@mynameiskate (2643)
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30 Aug
I can understand it is a matter of security, that all that is a desire to protect people. However it sort of defeats the purpose doesn't it?
1 person likes this
@mynameiskate (2643)
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31 Aug
@MarieCoyle I agree Marie. Oh sorry I wasn't clear. I know of a church that is central located in the city and they have had trouble with walk in's. When I went there with a friend I was left alone in a common room and people were not very friendly with me until they understood I was with a member.
It was understandable but seemed strange as well to me because isn't a church suppose to be welcoming to all?
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (49628)
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2 Sep
@mynameiskate
Welcoming to all and a place for refuge, support, and prayers, not to mention fellowship.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (49628)
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31 Aug
Well, not really. Many people enjoy their worship time and fellowship with other church members, it's often the highlight of their week. I think it would be sad to deny them of that if that is what they want to do.
1 person likes this
