Several groups have protested the church's desire to rebuild a 62 foot statue of Jesus that was destroyed in a fire last week.  The fire destroyed the sculpture and caused $400,000 in damage to a music theater, but no damage to the church itself.

The church states it intends to build a bigger, better, fireproof Jesus likeness by the end of the year.

During a Wednesday evening service, a man shouted out that had some questions to ask her.  She reportedly said, "We don't answer questions during service."

The man, later confronted her and her husband about whether a statue could be a violation of the Second Commandment, which forbids making or bowing down to a graven image.

The pastor responded that they don't worship the statue, but the living God.

In a police report, filed by Brandon M. Ushery, 23 of Sprinfield Township, something different happened.  He reported to police that a church member assaulted him while he and his frined, Andrew Braden, 27 were at the church to "protest the 'worship of a graven image.'"

Ushry stated that when he and his friend began protesting, they were advised to leave by church security.  Allegedly, as they were being escorted out of the church, Ushry told police a church member grabbed him, shoved him, and threatened to beat him.

The accused church member told police that the pair were cursing and yelling during the service and "they continued to protest while he and other security members began to escort them out of the church, and at no time did he threaten or shove Ushry or Braden.

The complainant (Ushry) was referred to the local prosecutor if he wanted to pursue charges.

An ampitheater was exposed and began to burn, but fortunately, firefighters were able to bring the fire under control.  Thankfully, this occurred after church hours, so the only thing at risk was property.

So, how is your fire planning?  I am sure the last thing this church expected was to lose Jesus to a lightning strike, but emergencies happen when we least expect them.  The difference between success and failure is planning.

Here are some thoughts to consider.

First, when was the last time your congregation was reminded about fire safety, did a fire drill, or was told where the fire exits could be found.  Airlines remind us, instruct us, and show us pictures everytime we fly.   Would your congregation benefit from a reminder or even a practice drill a couple times a year?

Imagine how this could liven up a church service! 

Secondly, as a security or safety team, do you know where all your exits, fire extinguishers, and plans are located?  Do you have any plans?  If your church security team doesn't know or hasn't planned, think how your church family might respond.

Thirdly, remember people need to be led in a crisis.  They simply lose their head.  In the town I work in, we had a terrible wind storm.  A middle aged woman called the police department because a tree had fallen on her front door step, which blocked the door.  When we arrived we began speaking to her through the door.  She was so worried because she couldn't get out.

I then asked her if she had a back door....there was silence, and then embarassment.  If your folks don't get involved in emergencies a lot, then plan on a poor response.  There are many cases of panic, bottle necks, and death by trampling because there was no plan, or the people didn't recognize the danger.

This is something you might want to practice as a team. 

Designate who will lead them to safety and who will attack the fire with an extinguisher (if appropriate).  If the fire is growing quickly, pull an alarm, and get you and your church family out of the building!

Our thoughts are with the church, I know this was an expensive project, and they seemed to really like it.  It was actually a landmark you couldn't miss while driving down interstate 75.

Here are some pictures.

Before