Hey, Lara here.

I love a good evening event at church. There’s something special about the coffee brewing in the lobby, and the buzz of people catching up midweek. But here’s the thing — while everyone’s thinking about music, snacks, and parking, I’m over here thinking… “Where’s the nearest AED?” and “Did anyone check the locks on that side door?”

Call it a Certified Safety Professional quirk (and yes, I own it proudly). Evening events can have different risks than Sunday mornings… it’s darker, you might have fewer volunteers, and people are coming and going in less predictable patterns.

So, here’s my five-step checklist for keeping your church safe and secure before the doors open at night. Think of it as your pre-event safety warm-up.

1. Light It Up Like a Christmas Tree

I once walked up to a side entrance at a church event and thought I’d stumbled onto the set of a mystery movie — pitch black, no one in sight. Not ideal.

Tip: Make sure parking lots, sidewalks, and entrances are well-lit. Replace burnt-out bulbs before the event. Use portable lights for overflow areas or darker spots.

Why it matters: Good lighting is one of the simplest and most effective ways to deter unwanted activity and prevent trips or falls. Plus, it just makes people feel safer walking in from their car.

2. Lock What You’re Not Using

At one church concert, I noticed kids wandering into a storage room full of ladders and paint cans. Nobody got hurt, but it was a close call.

Tip: Before the event, do a quick “door check” — lock classrooms, storage rooms, and any other spaces not in use. If you’ve got a large facility, assign zones to different volunteers to make it faster.

Why it matters: Fewer open spaces means fewer opportunities for accidents, mischief, or security issues.

3. Have a Welcome Team That’s Actually Watching

I love a friendly greeter… but if they’re deep in conversation and not watching who’s coming in, we’ve missed the point.

Tip: Post at least one greeter at each main entrance with a clear view of the parking lot. Make sure they know their job isn’t just to say “hi” — it’s to keep eyes open for anything unusual.

Why it matters: A visible, alert welcome team sends a message: “We’re glad you’re here and we’re paying attention.”

4. Keep Communication Lines Open

One time, a volunteer told me about an incident they didn’t report because “they didn’t know who to call.” Oof.

Tip: Before the event, make sure key staff and volunteers know how to reach each other, whether it’s radios, group text, or a designated phone line. Have at least one person monitoring communications all night.

Why it matters: Quick communication can stop small issues from becoming big problems.

5. Know Your “What If” Plan

This is where I see most churches freeze up. The event starts, something unexpected happens — medical emergency, lost child, suspicious person — and everyone looks around like, “Who’s in charge?”

Tip: Have a short pre-event huddle to review emergency basics: evacuation routes, AED location, who’s trained in CPR, and where to direct concerns.

Why it matters: The best security plan is one your team actually knows and can act on in real time.

Bottom Line from Lara

Evening events can be a wonderful encouragement, but it happens best in a safe, secure space. The good news? You don’t need a massive security overhaul to make it happen. These five steps take less than 30 minutes and can prevent a whole lot of headaches.

If you do nothing else this week, pick one of these steps and make it your non-negotiable for your next evening gathering. You’ll be amazed at how much more confident your team feels.

And if you want a system that helps you assign security checks, track incident reports, and remind you about pre-event tasks, join the Wooli waitlist. I’ve helped build it with churches like yours in mind, because safety should be simple, even at night.

Safety Always,
Lara

5 Security Steps Every Church Should Take Before an Evening Event