Frequently Asked Questions
Is the training provided for free?
The church leadership training is offered completely free of charge. At the end of the training, you’ll receive additional information about our optional paid church security team training program. This program is recommended if it aligns with your church’s goals and structure, but there’s no obligation to enroll. The leadership training itself is fully free and requires no commitment.
What if I lead a house of worship from a different faith?
Our program is specifically designed for Christian churches and incorporates Biblical principles, openly focusing on following Christ. However, the training content is based on industry best practices and official guidance from FEMA, DHS, and the FBI, so it can be applied by any faith community. Just be comfortable with learning about Bible-based decision making and loving people like Jesus did as part of the process.
What if I can’t afford the program?
We understand that financial challenges can be a barrier. We don’t want cost to stand in the way of your church’s safety. If you’re unable to afford the program, please click HERE to send us a message. We will work with you to ensure your church receives the training it needs.
Who should attend the training?
There are two courses designed to support your church’s safety efforts:
- Leadership Training: Intended for church leaders to help them prepare an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP).
- Security Team Training: Specifically designed for church security team or church safety team members. Church leaders are also encouraged to complete this course to better understand the training, structure, and procedures their security team members will be using.
Both courses provide essential knowledge for creating and maintaining a safe church environment.
How long is each training?
The Church Leadership Training takes approximately 60 minutes.
The Security Team Training takes approximately 90 minutes.
Is the training online or in-person?
This training is delivered entirely online and provides a strong foundation for church leaders and safety teams through engaging, scenario-based instruction. It is designed as a starting point for equipping your team with the right mindset, principles, and procedures. Church leaders are encouraged to follow up with in-person training and drills to support effective hands-on preparation.
Why should I enroll my church security team in this training?
This training serves as an onboarding process for church security teams, ensuring everyone shares a common understanding of essential tactics, techniques, and the right mindset for church security. These fundamentals are critical for any effective security team.
What does the security team course cover
The security team training covers Biblical security mindset, situational awareness essentials, threat recognition basics, de-escalation training, responding to non-violent and violent disturbances, and active shooter response. All training is approached from a Biblical mindset and aligns with established industry best practices.
Do I need any special equipment or materials?
No special equipment or materials are needed. The courses are completely online. Just come ready to learn!
How do I get started?
If you’re a church leader:
- Start with our Church Leaders Training, it’s completely free.
- This training provides a foundation in planning and preparedness and explains what’s included in the Security Team Training course.
- If you’ve already completed this course, you can explore additional information about purchasing a one-year subscription to the Security Team Training.
If you’re a security team member:
- If your church already uses Shamar Training, go straight to Security Team Training and enter your access code to begin your training.
- If you’re just learning about Shamar, you can follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn to learn more.
Do we get a free church emergency operations plan template?
We do not provide a static template. Shamar Preparation and Training is a free interactive system that guides your church leadership through a step-by-step process to build a fully customized Emergency Operations Plan specific to your church. Instead of downloading a generic template, our software generates a completed plan based on your responses.
How does Shamar Preparation and Training create the emergency operations plan?
Your team watches short training videos and answers guided questions covering roles, response procedures, communication, evacuation, and safety protocols. Our software then automatically compiles your answers into a complete, structured Emergency Operations Plan that is ready to download and use.
Is the plan aligned with FEMA or ICS principles, and what do we receive at the end?
Yes. Shamar Preparation and Training structures your plan using widely recognized emergency management principles based on FEMA and Incident Command System (ICS) frameworks. Once completed, you receive a fully formatted, downloadable Emergency Operations Plan that your church can print, share, and implement.