To Rise to the Occasion - You Have to Train for It

by Craig Cable
Director of Ministry Safety , Lightwell Insurance Advisors

Let me start with a pattern I’ve seen play out time and time again—whether in law enforcement, ministry safety, or real-life emergencies: when things go sideways and something unexpected happens, people won’t rise to the occasion. They’ll fall to the level of their training.

It’s not just a catchy phrase from a Greek warrior philosopher (though I wouldn’t mind taking credit for it). It’s something every ministry should recognize if they want to be ready when the unexpected happens. You can’t wing it. You have to train for it.

Stress changes everything.
We like to think we’ll know what to do when something goes wrong. But the truth is, stress messes with your decision-making, your motor skills, and your reaction time. You can’t think clearly, and you certainly can’t improvise your way through a crisis.

That’s why training matters. Not just once. Not just reading a PowerPoint. Real, hands-on, scenario-based training that prepares your team for what they’re most likely to face.

Start with a formal safety team.
A lot of churches say, “Yeah, we’ve got a safety team. Greg and the guys—they’ve got guns.” But that’s not a safety team. That’s likely a liability.

If your team isn’t trained, empowered, and delegated with the authority to act, you’re not protecting your ministry—you’re exposing it. Formalize your team. Give them a mission. Equip them with prevention and response training. That’s step one.

Train for the incidents that actually happen.
Let me share a real story. At my own church, we have a special needs ministry. One Sunday, a nonverbal child slipped away from their caregiver. By the time we got word, that child was already outside the building.

Because we had trained for this exact scenario—what we call a “missing child incident”—we immediately locked down the building, deployed our team, and found the child before anything tragic happened. Had we not trained for it? That story could’ve ended very differently.

Know the law—and your limits.
Another area where ministries get into trouble is misunderstanding what they’re legally allowed to do. I’ve seen churches treat disruptive guests like nightclub bouncers. But in my state of Colorado, if you lay hands on someone without a legitimate threat, that’s usually called assault.

Training isn’t just about what to do—it’s about knowing what not to do. Your team needs to understand the law, your policies, and how to de-escalate situations without making them worse.

This isn’t about fear. It’s about stewardship.
I’m not here to scare anyone. I’m here to educate. To empower. To help ministries operate from a place of confidence, not fear.

Because the reality is, you can’t prevent everything. But you can prepare. You can train. You can build a culture that knows how to respond when things go sideways.

And when that happens—when your team steps up, calmly executes the plan, and protects the people God has entrusted to your care—that’s when you’ll know the training was worth it.

Training for the unexpected isn’t about paranoia—it’s about stewardship. It’s about equipping your ministry to respond with clarity, confidence, and care when things don’t go as planned. Whether it’s a missing child, a medical emergency, or a disruptive guest, the difference between chaos and calm is preparation.

Wrapping Up
If your ministry hasn’t taken steps to formalize a safety team or build a training plan, now is the time. And you don’t have to do it alone. Reach out to your Lightwell Insurance Advisor for resources, training opportunities, and expert guidance tailored to your ministry’s unique needs. We’re here to help you protect what matters most—your people, your mission, and your peace of mind.

Watch Craig's full interview here, or listen to The Lightwell Podcast on your favorite streaming service.

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About the Author: Craig Cable is passionate about helping ministries understand how to approach safety and security with a ministry mindset. In addition to his role with Lightwell Insurance Advisors, he is a seasoned security professional and ministry safety advocate serving as head of security for a multi-ministry organization in northern Colorado. With over a decade of experience, Craig has led volunteer teams, developed church safety training programs, and served in law enforcement. His focus lies in equipping ministries across the country with practical tools to foster safe, welcoming environments for their communities.

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