Saddlebag Preacher
Member
Until recently I was an associate minister at a local congregation. For several years I have also CCW'd in church because my pastor became aware I was a retired LEO and asked me to. A couple of months ago, I paid out of my pocket to a trainer to set up a course that would resemble the type of shooting that would happen in a church setting, i.e. contact to 25 yards, setting, standing and moving, around obstacles and people. In two hours I shot 250 rounds, and have more days scheduled.
Six weeks ago I accepted a pastor position at another rural church. There is no one there that has a CCW. It is an older congregation and some physically handicapped. I had been leaving my gun in the car because I never carried while I was actually in the pulpit, my former church had other CCW people attending. But after SC, I prayed about it. During Sunday school I looked over all those innocent people and thought about if it was our church.
I went out to the car and put my gun on, and preached the sermon. I could not bring myself to look out over them knowing I might be able to help them if needed, and I wasn't able to. I do not worry about myself, but I do worry about the innocents, and my wife, who is in a walker. I have carried for 36 years.
Six weeks ago I accepted a pastor position at another rural church. There is no one there that has a CCW. It is an older congregation and some physically handicapped. I had been leaving my gun in the car because I never carried while I was actually in the pulpit, my former church had other CCW people attending. But after SC, I prayed about it. During Sunday school I looked over all those innocent people and thought about if it was our church.
I went out to the car and put my gun on, and preached the sermon. I could not bring myself to look out over them knowing I might be able to help them if needed, and I wasn't able to. I do not worry about myself, but I do worry about the innocents, and my wife, who is in a walker. I have carried for 36 years.