after reading the 58 replies, all of which are great...I have to chime in as well. I like a few others are "tent makers" Pastor (Full Time / Part Time) work on the side...lol...Pastoring is a 24/7 job, don't care who you are...back on topic...CC at church???? WHY NOT? I Pastor a small rural church, I do not CC on Sunday mornings, just because I have not found the "right" one...I do however have a few LADIES that CC...As far as the pulpit goes, I don't have one...my members all sit in the back, and complain that they can't "hear" me, so I have moved to the stand type pulpit, and position myself in the "middle" of the sanctuary (30x60 building). So for me I have drastically dropped the distance from me to the entrances...one being on my immediate right (with a wheelchair accessible aisle) the other directly in front of me (back door)...within less than 15-20 feet...
I have had people ask me the same question that has been brought up on the first page...How do I justify CC'ing? Easily...I am an American Citizen, I have certain rights and privileges that as an American I must uphold! the fact that I am a Pastor is no different than if I were male (thus pastor) or female, tall or short, fat or skinny, red or yellow, black or white...sorry almost broke out into song...the fact that one is a Pastor is of little consequence. Yes Pastors are sometimes held to a higher degree, but should we be any different than any other individual...(moderators please disregard the following...) as a believer (and for those that are not religious go along with me) we are all to be like Christ, so the whole "He is a Pastor..." doesn't fly with me...(moderators you may begin reading again)
I just purchased a Kel-Tex P11 with belt clip to try out...we are a huggggyyy church...part of life, but my congregation knows that I CC...they actually invite their friends to come hear the "Pistol totin' Preacher"...they are fine with it, and know full and well that if a situation were to arise, that I would do my best to first de-escalate the situation, but if not possible, deal with it as quickly and efficiently as possible. Great Thread By the Way...sorry to rant! good luck and if you need a CC holster for the money, mine has been fabulous
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=366719
Mine is #24 I do on occasion wear it to church, if I know I am going to keep my coat on.....