Use of Force Training for Churches

Equip Your Church with Clear, Defensible Decision-Making

 

Gatekeeper Defense Training provides classroom-based Use of Force training designed specifically for churches, houses of worship (H.O.W.) and all faith based safety teams, ushers, staff, and leadership.

This course is non-tactical and does not involve firearms or physical drills. Instead, it focuses on how decisions are made, where boundaries exist, and when restraint is the correct response—helping houses of worship protect their people and their mission.

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Why Use of Force Training Matters for Houses of Worship

 

Houses of worship are unique environments. They are welcoming, emotional, and public. Volunteers are often placed in situations involving:

• Disruptive or emotionally unstable individuals

• Domestic disputes spilling into church spaces

• Unwanted or unauthorized persons

• Child-related concerns

• Situations that escalate faster than expected

Without clear guidance, well-meaning volunteers can unintentionally make things worse—creating exposure that leadership never intended.

This training helps prevent that.

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What This Course Covers

 

Our Use of Force training gives participants a shared framework for responsible action and restraint, including:

• What “use of force” means in a house of worship context

• Levels of response and proportional decision-making

• When intervention is appropriate—and when it is not

• Common mistakes made by volunteers trying to help

• De-escalation, disengagement, and verbal control

• When and how to involve law enforcement

• Documentation and post-incident considerations

The emphasis throughout is avoidance, restraint, and sound judgment, not confrontation.

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Course Format & Audience

 

Format:

• 2-hour, classroom-based instruction

• No firearms

• No tactics

• Appropriate for a house of worship setting

Designed for:

• Safety team members

• Ushers and greeters

• House of worship staff

• Ministry leaders and pastors

This course is valuable for both armed and unarmed volunteers.

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Pricing Options​

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• $400 flat rate — Private training for a single house of worship

• $150 flat rate — Training open to outside attendees

Both options deliver the same instruction and outcomes. Houses of worship may choose the format that best fits their goals and audience.

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Why Churches Choose Gatekeeper

 

Gatekeeper Defense Training brings third-party, professional instruction that helps:

• Reduce risk created by unclear expectations

• Protect volunteers through better decision-making

• Support leadership by demonstrating due diligence

• Establish consistent language and boundaries across teams

This training does not replace pastoral care or house of worship policy—it supports them.

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Ready to Bring Clarity to Your House of Worship?

 

Whether you’re trying to protect your congregation, support your volunteers, or reduce risk for leadership, Use of Force training provides a critical foundation.

Use the form below to:

• Request additional details

• Discuss scheduling options

• Ask about combining this course with other house of worship safety training

• Explore training availability in Central Florida and beyond

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Let’s build clarity, restraint, and readiness—before a decision has to be made under pressure.

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Interested?  Fill out the form below.