Call Us
November 6, 2025
Are Churches Really Safe? What to Look for When Choosing a Church in Kernersville NC
Joshua Tufte
Are Churches Really Safe?
Let's be honest: this question shouldn't have to be asked, but here we are. And if you're asking it, you're already being wise. Whether you're new to Kernersville, new to faith, or just looking for a church home where you can actually feel... well, safe, this conversation matters more than ever.
I've been pastoring for over a decade now, and I've seen both sides of this coin. I've watched churches get security spectacularly wrong, and I've seen what it looks like when a church creates genuine safety, not just the kind that keeps bad guys out, but the kind that lets hurting people in.
So let's talk about what real church safety looks like and what you should be looking for when you're church shopping in our little corner of North Carolina.
Physical Safety: More Than Just Locks and Cameras
Here's what I wish someone had told me when I started in ministry: church security isn't about creating a fortress, it's about creating a haven. There's a big difference.
A truly secure church should have done its homework. They should have conducted a security risk assessment, covering everything from their building layout to how they handle money on Sundays.
So, here is what to look for:
Are there greeters who clearly know what they're doing beyond just saying hello?
Do they have adequate lighting in the parking lot? (Trust me, this matters more than you think.)
Are doors managed well, meaning they know which ones should be locked and which ones shouldn't?
Is there a communication system in place for emergencies?
The parking lot is actually a big deal. I know it sounds weird, but criminals know that during church services, cars are left unattended for an hour or more at predictable times. A good church pays attention to this stuff.
Some churches hire professional security services. Others train volunteers with law enforcement or military backgrounds. Both can work great; what matters is that someone's actually thinking about it.
Emotional and Spiritual Safety: The Harder Conversation
Okay, here's where it gets real. Physical safety is the easier part. Emotional safety? That's where churches often struggle, and honestly, it's where the real damage happens.
I remember talking to a woman who told me, "Josh, I've been hurt by churches before. How do I know this place is different?" That question broke my heart and made me realize we needed to do better at showing, not just saying, that we're a safe place for broken people.
Red flags to watch for:
Leadership that never admits mistakes or shows vulnerability
Preaching that sounds like "we're right, everyone else is wrong" all the time
An absence of support ministries for real-life struggles
Green flags to look for:
Pastors who talk about their own failures and growth
Support groups for grief, divorce, addiction, or other life challenges
Leadership that includes diverse voices and perspectives
Teaching that's more about "here's what Scripture says" and less about "here's why we're better than them"
Before you ever step foot in a church building, there is an easy and effective way to learn more about them. Spend some time on its website. Listen to a few sermons online. Do they sound like people you'd want to have coffee with? Do they talk about helping hurting people, or do they mostly talk about how awesome their church is? Is the Bible a consistent focus during teaching? Are the messages relatable?
Leadership Structure: Character Over Charisma
This might be the most important thing I tell people: don't choose a church based on how polished the pastor's preaching is. I know a pastor who can make the phone book sound inspiring, but his church is an emotional disaster zone because he's never learned to say "I was wrong."
Look for leaders who demonstrate the "fruit of the Spirit": love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These aren't optional character traits for church leaders; they're non-negotiables.
Pay attention to how disagreements are handled. Every church has them; what matters is whether they're handled with grace or with pride. A healthy church can have people who disagree about secondary issues while still loving each other well.
Child Protection: Non-Negotiable Territory
If you have kids, this should be one of your first questions. And even if you don't have kids, how a church protects children tells you everything about their values.
Churches should have clear policies about background checks, two-adult rules in children's areas, and transparent procedures for reporting concerns. If they get defensive about these questions or act like asking is somehow distrustful, that is a red flag.
At Passion Church, we're actually grateful when parents ask these questions because it shows they're engaged and protective. That's exactly what we want. Our kids' ministry operates with full transparency because children's safety isn't negotiable.
The Practical Stuff: How to Actually Evaluate
Here's my advice when looking at a church to attend from this perspective:
Start online. Spend 30 minutes on their website. What do they emphasize? What do they barely mention? Do they sound like people you'd want to know?
Listen to sermons. Most churches post them online now. Listen to 2-3 recent messages. How does the pastor handle Scripture? How does he talk about people who disagree with him? Does he sound humble or arrogant?
Visit slowly. Don't feel pressured to jump in with both feet. Visit a few times, attend different types of gatherings, talk to regular people (not just the staff).
Ask good questions:
What's your church's approach to people who are struggling?
How do you handle disagreements within the leadership?
What support do you offer for people going through difficult seasons?
Can you tell me about your security procedures?
What Safety Looks Like at Passion Church
I'm obviously biased, but I think we've learned some things about creating genuine safety over the years. We've got trained volunteers who help with security, & uniformed officers at every service, but they're also the same people who'll help you find the bathroom or get your kids checked in.
We believe safety means creating space for people to ask hard questions, struggle with doubt, and work through real-life problems without judgment. It means having clear policies that protect everyone, especially the vulnerable.
Most importantly, it means understanding that church isn't supposed to be a place for perfect people; it's supposed to be a hospital for broken people. If you're looking for perfect, you're going to be disappointed. If you're looking for an authentic, grace-filled community where you can grow and heal, well, that's what we're shooting for.
Your 10-Minute Daily Challenge
Here's something you can start today: spend 10 minutes each day this week researching one church in the Kernersville area. Look up their website, listen to part of a sermon, read their values or beliefs page.
Don't worry about making a decision yet: just start getting familiar with what's out there. By the end of the week, you'll have a much better sense of which churches might be worth visiting in person.
The goal isn't to find the perfect church (spoiler alert: it doesn't exist), but to find a place where you can be known, loved, and challenged to grow in your faith.
Come Check Us Out
Look, I'd love for you to visit Passion Church, but more than that, I want you to find a church home where you can thrive and grow closer to Jesus Christ. If that's us, awesome. If it's not, I genuinely hope you find what you're looking for.
But if you want to see what we're about, come join us this Sunday at either 9:30am or 11:00am. We'll be the ones trying to create the kind of place we'd want our own families to attend: safe, authentic, and full of grace.
We are located at 612 Edgewood Street, Kernersville NC, 27284.
You're not just welcome here, you're wanted.
Come as you are, questions and all. Let's figure out this faith thing together.
share this
Related Articles
Related Articles
There are certain moments in the life of a church that feel significant—not because of a building or an address, but because of what those things represent. For Passion Church, this is one of those moments. We are excited to announce that Passion Church is moving to our new home at 4368 Stokesdale Avenue in Walkertown, North Carolina . Located near the intersection of Walkertown, Kernersville, and Winston-Salem, this property gives us an opportunity to continue growing, serving, and investing in the communities we love while establishing a permanent place to call home. If you've followed our story over the past few years, you know that Passion Church has never been about a building. From the beginning, our mission has been simple: helping people find and follow Jesus. That mission has guided every decision we've made, every ministry we've launched, every small group we've started, and every conversation we've had with people searching for hope and purpose. While our location is changing, that mission remains exactly the same. In many ways, this move represents a new chapter, but not a new direction. We are still the same church that believes the Bible is the authoritative Word of God. We still believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that His death and resurrection provide forgiveness of sins, and that He is the way to reconciliation with God. Those convictions have shaped who we are from day one, and they will continue to shape who we are in Walkertown and beyond. At the same time, we recognize that truth is most effective when it is shared through genuine relationships. One of the phrases you'll hear often at Passion Church is that we start with grace and lead to truth . We believe both are necessary. Grace creates space for people to be honest about where they are, while truth points them toward the hope and transformation found in Jesus. We don't see those ideas as competing with one another; we see them working together in the same way they did throughout the ministry of Christ. That philosophy affects how we approach ministry. While Sunday worship services are important, some of the most meaningful moments in our church happen around dinner tables, in living rooms, over coffee, and during everyday conversations. We believe life change happens in the context of relationships, which is why small groups, shared meals, community events, and serving opportunities are such an important part of who we are. We want to be more than a place people attend for an hour each week. We want to be a church family where people are known, encouraged, challenged, and supported through every season of life. As we prepare to move into Walkertown, one of the things we're most excited about is getting to know our new community. Every town has its own personality, history, strengths, and challenges. Our desire is not simply to occupy a building in Walkertown, but to become a meaningful part of the community. We look forward to building relationships with local families, schools, businesses, and organizations as we seek opportunities to serve and make a positive impact. We're also incredibly excited about what this move means for future generations. Passion Church places a high value on investing in children, students, and young families. We believe the local church should be one of the safest, most encouraging, and most life-giving environments a child can experience. Whether it's through Passion Kids, student ministry, family events, or simply creating spaces where young people can learn about Jesus and build healthy friendships, we are committed to helping the next generation develop a faith that lasts. For those who may be searching for a church home, we know that stepping into a church for the first time can feel intimidating. Maybe you've been away from church for years. Maybe you've had a difficult experience in the past. Maybe you're simply curious and trying to figure out what you believe. Wherever you find yourself, we want you to know that you're welcome here. You don't have to have everything figured out before you walk through the doors. As we look ahead to this new season, we're filled with gratitude for what God has already done and anticipation for what He will do next. We believe the best days of Passion Church are still ahead, not because of a new building, but because every new season creates new opportunities to help people encounter Jesus and experience the hope found in Him. Walkertown, we're excited to be your neighbors. We can't wait to meet you, serve alongside you, and continue helping people find and follow Jesus for years to come. Passion Church 4368 Stokesdale Avenue Walkertown, NC 27051 Helping People Find and Follow Jesus.
What does God really say about intimacy? Explore a healthy, biblical perspective on sex, design, and building strong, faithful foundations for marriage.
A Giant question facing the next generation of the church