Local pastor reacts to shooting at Texas church

WINCHESTER, Ky. (WTVQ) – Here in Kentucky, some church leaders are thinking about how to keep their own congregations safe, after a gunman opened fire on a Texas church congregation Sunday.

Pastor Farley Stuart of the First United Methodist church in Winchester is just one of those, concerned for his church family.

He sat down with ABC 36 Monday and says when he heard about Sunday’s shooting, at first, he was in a state of shock. Then, he realized it’s time for him and his leadership team to talk about what they can do to keep their congregation safe.

Pastor Stuart says during the week, they keep the church doors locked. However, he explains, on Sundays, it’s harder to maintain that safety.

“Sundays, you know, you open the doors, everybody’s welcome and I don’t think there’s much you can do, but maybe we’re not doing all we can do,” said Pastor Stuart.

He says they’re thinking about having someone check doors periodically during the service. Still, Pastor Stuart says if someone wants in, they’ll get in, even if the doors are locked. He explains, someone could break through the stained glass windows.

That’s why, he says, people can’t live in fear.

“If we backed off from everything that’s happened, we would shut ourselves in our homes and stay there,” said Pastor Stuart.

He went on to say he doesn’t believe that is the kind of life people are meant to live.

He says though mass shootings may deter people from going to church, or to other places with large groups, he believes people need to stand together, instead of backing down.

“We need to come together and pray all over this country for this situation, and pray that God will lead us as to what we can do to keep one another safe,” said Pastor Stuart.

Pastor Stuart encourages everyone to continue going out and enjoying the various things their communities have to offer, without fear of unknown tragedies.